Late at night, on a light-less island in the Caribbean named Tropcio, a small boat drifts silently up to shore. Five men armed with rifles disembark. The creep up the sparsely wooded slope. When they reach the top they spot an ornate palace overlooking several unkempt shacks. They speak in hushed Russian then begin down the slope towards the town.
Inside the palace lives a man named Graciano Gabino. He is Tropico's democratically elected Presidente. He stirs in his sleep at a sound outside his window. He gets up and walks to his window to check what it's source was. The last sound he hears is a whoosh and the last thing he sees is a rocket headed straight for him.
Welcome, welcome El Presidente! I am your adviser Rafa Eligio! You have been chosen to rule over the tiny island republic of Tropico. As you can see it is very rich in minerals and is quite mountainous! Soon our plane will pass over the island and you will see for yourself. Of course we won't actually be landing on Tropico as they have no airport...
The people of Tropico have proven themselves to be hotblooded and are quite prone to revolt... I have faith that you'll give them no cause though Presidente!
The reason our good friends the KGB have installed you here as Presidente is back in Russia they are running out of gold. They need this gold to impress their snobby European neighbors! Your background as a hardworking miner has earned you this position. But remember, they expect results!
Ah, if you'll look to your left you'll see your new home! See how little of the island is developed? They need a good strong leader to transform them into a great nation!
After a short boat ride from Cuba, El Presidente has reached his new home...
Ah El Presidente's first move is a wise one. While being pressured by Russia to begin mining operations immediately, El Presidente, in his infinite wisdom has decided to earn the loyalty of the people by constructing a beautiful Church for the people of the island! A wise move as the people must trust El Presidente before they will put themselves behind him fully.
I see El Presidente has also chosen to commission a tenement built to house the people. While El Presidente may wish to gain support among the Communists, our friends the KGB seem not to care about Communist ideals, preferring that Presidente concentrate on the gold. Very strange for ones who hate capitalism so...
Wishing the ranks of his construction workers to be filled, El Presidente has graciously raised their salary to $6 per month. While such wage structuring may be discouraged by the Russians and communists alike, it may help projects be finished. A wise choice El Presidente!
Ah, three new residents have arrived to live on the island having heard that it has work. One of them has even come bearing arms to vanguard the Socialist revolution!
Well that was a quick year! Despite producing nothing more than enough corn to feed the people of the island, we managed to actually make a profit thanks to the generous help of our friends the KGB! However they have asked me to pass along a message requesting you to make good with the gold...
Well I see that El Presidente has, immediately after receiving the Russian money, decided to flaunt their wishes and commission a pub to be built! A wise choice El Presidente! After all what are miners without a pub to drink in! I'm sure the KGB will understand El Presidente...Anyways the construction workers have taken to calling that area El Venado.
After a year and a half the Church is done! The only problem is we have no priest. Well El Presidente has, in another show of brilliant wisdom, decided that the captain of his personal guard would be much happier as a priest, and graciously terminated his employment. Not wanting to end up a teamster, he man has become a priest! Bravo El Presidente! Now the people's souls will be well looked after!
It seems your wage structuring move has payed off El Presidente, as the construction workers are, if anything, overstaffed as they work hard to build a tenement to house your people! Excellency this was very wise!
Ah the papaya grove... It soothes a man's heart that is made heavy by the daily threats against the life of El Presidente made by the KGB because of his unwillingness to do such a simple task as to build a gold mine...
Once again our only money made was given to us by the Russians. And they have said that this will be the last of it unless we use some of it to construct a mine...Please your Excellency, do as they say...
Ah the first exports! Mostly surplus corn, there is also a small amount of sugar and pineapples there. Look at them walking up the pier. Truly an inspiring image!
Oh thank you your Excellency! You have soothed the hearts of all those on the island! He has commissioned a mine to be built near a deposit of gold on the edge of town! Such a noble deed has not been envisioned since the days of Hercules!
And on that note a tenement has been completed and a soldier has immediately moved in. Truly the people are lucky to have you as their leader El Presidente!
Truly we have made a fortune this year El Presidente! $8000! And half of it produced ourselves! Truly this is a great year for the island of Tropico!
Tropico has seen it's first death in the your reign of El Presidente, and has been set into an uproar. If you remember at your coronation you promised to abolish death...
Strangely enough, one of the only ones not complaining is the widower! He is more concerned with his own health.
To help safeguard against similar future catastrophes, it was very wise of El Presidente to commission a clinic built. Death begone! You are not welcome on our island home! In addition El Presidente has wisely commissioned another construction office to be built to assist in all future projects.
The Yanqui hunger for popcorn means that we may now export our corn for increased prices. The Russians do not mind as all this popcorn will gain the Yanquis is bloated stomachs, early deaths and decadence! Or at least that's what they say...
Another good year for Tropico! Not as good as last year but still good...El Presidente may also care to see that the clinic is done. Perhaps some doctors should be hired?
I see El Presidente has found a candidate for the doctor position. A college graduate working as a lowly teamster? This is not Mao's China! In Tropico we respect men of education, as many as we have at least.
We have terminated his position as teamster and he has chosen to become a doctor. A wise decision! El Presidente has also commissioned a housing project for the soldiers, priests and doctors, to relieve the stress on the tenements as well as make sure that more of their high salaries come back to the government through rent.
The pub is open! Wait El Presidente, where are you going? To the pub? Ah I see. Have a good time!
Well with El Presidente at the pub I guess I'll just leave this economic report on his desk and be off to the pub as well. After all I would be ashamed if I missed any political opportunities for El Presidente! ˇAdiós amigos!