Rises to Power describe how the presidente came to control Tropico. All rises to power give different advantages, though some of them come with downsides as well. In addition, the presidente's rise to power sets the level of democratic expectations people have for Tropico at the start of the game.
Rises to Power[]
Bought the Election[]
"If voting could change anything, they would make it illegal. You entangled the people of Tropico in such a Byzantine web of lies and political disenchantment, that it became increasingly easier for you to commit election fraud. Like taking candy from a baby."
- Fairly Low Democratic Expectations
- -5 Respect with the Intellectuals
- Lower consequences for election fraud
Capitalist Rebellion[]
"Tropico needs freedom and Democracy. That's why you were sent from Miami with a group of die-hard Tropican patriots to purge the red threat from the island once and for all. Liberty!"
- Fairly Low Democratic Expectations
- +25 US Relations
- +10 Respect with the Capitalists
- +10% Factory Worker Production
Communist Rebellion[]
"You believe in 'exporting' revolution to every nation in need of liberation from the foreign oppressors. That's why you staged a coup and overthrew the rotten Capitalist government on Tropico. Power to the People!"
- Low Democratic Expectations
- +25 USSR Relations
- +10 Respect with the Communists
- +10% Farmer Production
Elected as Capitalist[]
"You were preaching the efficiency of capital accumulation and the need for free markets to the Western World, when Milton Friedman and Ayn Rand were still careless brats. The only thing you ignored was the fact that your theories led to the concentration of the means of production in the hands of a selected few. But money has no smell, right!?"
- High Democratic Expectations
- +15 US Relations
- +5 Respect with the Capitalists
- +20% Liberty
- +20% Factory Worker Production
Elected as Fascist[]
"You wrote some pretty weird conspiracy theory books, changed your birthday to the 20th of April, and were labeled a notorious Holocaust denier. Still, your hateful rhetoric seems to find some fertile ground among Tropico's Nationalists."
- Moderate Democratic Expectations
- +10 Respect with the Militarists
- +10 Respect with the Nationalists
- -20% Liberty
- -10% Crime
Elected as Socialist[]
"You believe so firmly in the Communist ideal, that you make Marx and Engels look like some clueless schoolboys compared to you. Your convictions have made you very popular with the USSR, who now address you as the 'Bolshevik Piranha', because of your biting speech style."
- Fairly High Democratic Expectations
- +15 USSR Relations
- +10 Respect with the Communists
- +20% Liberty
Elected for Family Values[]
"Five divorces, countless love affairs, adultery on a regular basis... You are truly a family man. And since the simple, God-fearing people of Tropico need a good example of family values, aren't you the best candidate for the job!?"
- High Democratic Expectations
- +15 Respect with the Religious
- +20% Liberty
- +10% Tourism Rating
Heir Apparent[]
"Your father was 'El Presidente', his father also, and his great grandfather too. Guess who's going to be the next president of Tropico!? The lack of any surprises has made you numb to the responsibilities of your position."
- Fairly Low Democratic Expectations
- +10 Respect with all factions
Hotel Corporate Buyout[]
"You and Bugsy Siegel were thick as thieves. His original idea was to build an entertainment empire in Tropico, not in the middle of the Nevada desert – but the Mafia has put an end to his dream. Now you must take on his legacy and realize its full potential as Tropico's new hotel tycoon."
- Moderate Democratic Expectations
- +10 Respect with the Capitalists
- +5 Respect with the Environmentalists
- +15 US Relations
- +10% Liberty
- +30% Tourism Rating
- The first hotel you build is free.
Installed by the CIA[]
"The guys from Langley brainwashed you so hard, that the first time you arrived in Tropico, you accidentally forgot who was calling the shots. The 'Farm' didn't take any chances and brainwashed you a second time. Now you're a sterling example of an agent in service of Uncle Sam: obedient, unquestioning, and of highly dubious ethics."
- Fairly Low Democratic Expectations
- +10 Respect with the Capitalists
- +40 US Relations
- -30% Liberty
- +$2,000 in the treasury every year.
Installed by the KGB[]
"You arrived in Tropico under the code name 'Comrade Sergei'. You were trained in all kinds of oppressive practices including torture, forceful persuasion, ideological warfare, and propaganda. You're perfectly suited to rule a 'free' Tropico and the USSR has nothing, I repeat – nothing to do with politics on the island."
- Low Democratic Expectations
- +10 Respect with the Communists
- +40 USSR Relations
- -30% Liberty
- Soldiers don't require a high school education. (Bugged: Soldiers for Bunkers still need high school educations)
Military Coup[]
"In the new edition of 'Tropico's dictionary of military blunders', the description for a 'failed military coup' has been replaced with your name. You failed in taking your power by force so many times, that finally one merciful Caribbean tyrant took pity on you – he ceded the poorest island in the region to you."
- Very Low Democratic Expectations
- +20 Respect with the Militarists
- -20% Liberty
- -20% Crime
- -25% Building Cost for military buildings (Bugged: Bunkers still cost the same)
Religious Appointment[]
"You still fondly remember the glorious day when the Pope, in his white Popemobile, arrived before your humble abode, praised you for your strong faith, kissed your holy feet and begged you to lead the Christian church to a new Golden Age. And after that brief moment of revelation, you always wake up."
- Fairly Low Democratic Expectations
- +15 Respect with the Religious
- -25% Building Cost for religious buildings
Velvet Revolution[]
"You demanded government change without bloodshed and led many non-violent protests. Miraculously, this time the Velvet Revolution worked and the red party ceded power to you. Of course later, they accused you of being a spy on the CIA's payroll – but these are the hazards of Democracy."
- High Democratic Expectations
- +20 Respect with the Intellectuals
- +15 US Relations
- -15 Chinese Relations
- +20% Liberty