Jorge Ubico

Gen. Jorge Ubico was the last of the Liberal authoritarian rulers. Though this period saw rapid economic growth, any benefits from such were gained solely by the wealthy upper-class. In addition, this period was characterized by repression and growing foreign control of the economy. Under Ubico the United Fruit Company emerged as the most important company in Guatemala, receiving import duty and real estate tax exemptions from the government. UFCo. controlled more land than any other individual or group, along with the sole rail road, the electricity producing capabilities, and the port facilities at Puerto Barrios on the Atlantic coast.