Players once again take on the role of "El Presidente," the larger-than-life ruler of a tropical island banana republic in the Caribbean during the Cold War era. Across a campaign spanning multiple islands, El Presidente must build and manage his nation, developing its economy and balancing the competing demands of rival factions from communists and capitalists to militarists, environmentalists, and the church. When he is framed for a murder and ousted from power, he is forced to flee, rebuild his base of support, and unravel the far-reaching conspiracy behind his downfall in order to reclaim his rule.