In the Republic of San Marcos, in Latin America, the president is murdered in a Coup d'État promoted by General Emilio M. Vargas. In New York, the products tester Fielding Mellish (Woody Allen) meets the political activist Nancy and they have a love affair. Fielding has an unrequited love with Nancy, who believes that he is immature and without leadership. Fielding decides to travel to San Marcos and General Vargas plots a scheme the assassination of Fielding to be supported by the USA against the rebels led by Esposito. However the rebels save Fielding and train him in guerrilla warfare. General Vargas flees to the United States. Esposito deranges with the power and Fielding becomes the President of San Marcos. He wears a long beard and travels to USA seeking financial support to the country and he meets Nancy again, who falls in love with him.