Russian-American entrepreneur who built United Fruit Company from scratch by outsmarting the established banana monopoly, overthrew a Central American government to protect his business interests, and eventually took over United Fruit itself after his company was absorbed.
Built a banana empire in Honduras through relentless on-the-ground presence and operational obsession that the established players lacked — then, when he disagreed with United Fruit's management after the merger, organized a proxy fight and took over the company from its Boston boardroom.
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