Overview

Junta: Viva el Presidente! is a satirical dice game set in the fictional República de las Bananas. Players command private militias, rob adversaries, and scheme to become Presidente. The goal is to rip off foreign aid, hire militiamen, expand your estate, and accumulate wealth faster than rivals. The game features hidden orders, simultaneous combat resolution, and political maneuvering.

Components

• 45 Game Cards
• 25 Building Tiles
• 5 Summary Cards (in 5 player colors)
• 20 Militia Dice (in 5 player colors)
• 1 Pair Presidential Sunglasses
• 5 Screens
• 5 Estates (in 5 player colors, each with: Space for Promises, Space for Screen, Spaces for Building Tiles, Main House, Space for used Militias, Number for Militia Orders)

Setup

1. Each player takes a Screen, Estate, Summary Card, and 1 Militia Die in their color.
2. Remaining dice and all Building Tiles are placed as Supplies in the center.
3. Shuffle all 45 Game Cards face-down as the Deck.
4. Roll to determine the first Presidente, who takes the Presidential Sunglasses.

Turn Structure

Each round has 6 phases:

1. Draw Cards

• Presidente draws cards equal to total players + 2.
• Each Golpista (non-Presidente) draws 1 card clockwise.
• Exception: In the first round, each Golpista draws 2 cards.
• Cards in hand are kept hidden, but the number of cards held is public.

2. Make Promises

• Presidente selects at least 1 card per Golpista from their hand and places them face-down on each Estate’s Promises space.
• Golpistas may look at their Promises but cannot add them to their hand yet.

3. Command Militias

• All Golpistas secretly assign orders to their Militia Dice behind their Screens:
  • Attack another player: Turn die to show that player’s Estate number.
  • Defend yourself: Turn die to show your own Estate number.
  • Defend the Presidente: Turn die to 6 (always refers to Presidente defense regardless of who holds the office).
• Each Militia can receive independent orders, but you cannot simultaneously attack and defend the Presidente.
• The Presidente’s Militias MUST defend (no attacks allowed).
• After all orders are set, screens are removed simultaneously.

4. Combat

• Battles are resolved in order: attack on Presidente first, then clockwise by defender.
• Each battle has 4 steps:
  • A) Defender’s Cards: Play “before battle” cards.
  • B) Attacker’s Cards: Play “before battle” cards.
  • C) Roll Militia Dice: All involved players roll simultaneously. Sum attacker dice for total Attack Value; sum defender dice for total Defense Value.
  • D) Plunder: If Attack Value > Defense Value, attackers win. If Defense Value >= Attack Value, defender wins.
• If no one attacks the Presidente, all players receive their Promises immediately (before other battles).

5. Spend Money

• Players may spend money to buy Building Tiles for their Estates or additional Militia Dice.

6. Check Number of Cards

• Verify hand limits and discard as needed.

Actions

Card Types

• Assassins: Enable assassination attempts.
• Bribes: Control units or hinder assassinations (require cash to play).
• Influence Cards: Provide votes for elections.
• Vote Cards: Provide additional votes.
• Event Cards: Various one-time effects (e.g., Vote of No Confidence, Diversionary Tactic, Spy).

Special Card Timing

• Burglars: Play immediately after Promises are made.
• Spy: Play immediately after Militia orders are revealed.
• Diversionary Tactic: Play immediately after dice are rolled (forces re-roll of one or all dice).

Scoring / Victory Conditions

The game continues for multiple rounds. The player who accumulates the most wealth through building their estate, collecting money, and outmaneuvering rivals wins. Two versions exist: Basic Game and Expert Game (nastier and sneakier).

Special Rules & Edge Cases

• Players defending the Presidente with at least 1 Militia count as defenders and may play cards in that battle.
• If a player defending the Presidente loses all defending Militia Dice, they exit the battle but their played cards remain in effect.
• Building Tiles like Helicopter Pad and Swimming Pool count as buildings despite not being traditional structures.
• The Main House on the Estate at game start counts as a building.
• The Expert Game adds additional complexity and nastier card interactions.

Player Reference

Phase	Action
1. Draw Cards	Presidente: players + 2; Golpistas: 1 each
2. Make Promises	Presidente distributes cards to Estates
3. Command Militias	Secret orders behind screens
4. Combat	Resolve battles by priority
5. Spend Money	Buy buildings and militia
6. Check Cards	Verify hand limits

Militia Order	Die Value
Attack player	Their Estate number
Defend self	Your Estate number
Defend Presidente	6