How did the United States act as an imperialist power in LAtin America?

Since the early 1900's, the US has largely continued to act as an imperialist power up until the early 1990's.  The US military has spent time in Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, Honduras, Nicaragua, Guatemala, and El Salvador to secure US business and political interests.  Governments were removed in Chile, Guatemala, El Salvador and Cuba either through engineering elections or by assassination.

Later in the 20th century, Latin America was a Cold War battleground, where the US favored dictators as long as they were anti-communist.  Weapons sales and economic aid were given to leaders that were loyal.