17 March2
FOR: DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE
Chief, Westernphere Division
Situation
1. Conversations between New Orleans on2
revealed that Col. Castillo Armas is unable to leaveunable to leave Guatemala,
at this time.that only he
are aware of U. S. Government interest in this matter. Hehia belief that Castillo Armaschance of aucceediug. but also indicated uncertainty .is to resources, requirements, andwas complete to the extent
rder to complete the conversations. Mexico City directed full cooperation.
2* Conversations betwecuC
Jin Vexlco City onot fully informed onsltlon plan*,
resources,nd tbeir opposition although he fswith and has the full confidence of Castillo Castillo has the moral, and possibly some
ndcat Carias-of Honduras and the good
willesident Galve/.. He hasc>nised the supportSomoza of Nicaraguaffered towith him to ask aid of .'resident Trujlllo ofRepublicthat be is not certain of
the chances for succeu* of any movement at this time, butthat sufficient opposition to the presentexists or can be generated and mobilised to Insureell organized movement. He verified that Castillonot leave Uegucigalpa at present because of prssaoreon president Galws of Honduras. asin an emergency Castillo can leave Tegucigalpa. )
-lUTY
that Guatemalan refusal to allow/^
leave that country resulted from auspicion cast
wno haa been working for the Assistant U. S. Air
Attache, Major Chavez, and is doubtless in Guatemalan Government
3.
would not commit htmseii, he has been refused permission to leave Guatemala.
5. The lack of intelligence available at this time makes it imperative that this deficiency be corrected before final plana can
be made.
4. In consultation withCity,oa
and later with Mr.the same date, tbe following course
of action was evolved:
return toT.atbe week of At his suggestion Cuwillomplete Order to Battle to include allGuatemalan Government and opposition strength. From hio Jt/iU fill in all possible miaaing details.
Salvador, will contactTegucigalpa during the week of2 ia receive the
first report and arrange for the transmission of weekly reports
Reports will be forwarded to
Headquarters with copiea to
A prominent Mexican jfteader will visit Guatemala the week of2 to establish contact with Guatemalan Readers for the purpose of gaining intelligence and providing support.
A prominent Mexican anti-Communist leader has been refused admittance to Guatemala because of Ms anti-Communist activities. Hia exclusion from Guatemala will be widely publicised, but bis group will receive intelligence from and render support to the organized anti-Communist group In Guatemala headed by Carlos Simmons.
KFOBeUTiGIi
-3-
The formationree Guatemalan! be expedited.
f) As the required intelligence becomes availableampaign agaiott tbe present Guatemalan Government will be intensified. Al PW weapons will be utilized under the direction of
g) Asv campaign develops, parallel efforts to swing the balance of power to the opposition will utilise Ml resources to unite and strengthen the opposition and weaken th* present government. If the Guatemalan Government dctt net fail of its own weight It is conceivable that more direct meaaureseee*jary, antintng Lotn jmerjency will proceed. However, at this time, the primary effort In this field
most be directed toward forestalling any premature attempt to
take over tbe government by force.
DIboti on;ddreaaee
nspector General
Col. King
Borni
lender, black hair, dark brovn eyes [
Strong personality! eoft and slow speakingj serious, hard worker; intelligent, araenable to ideaei analytical ndndj studlousi light drinker.
yiduo
ationt
6 years of primary school
years Industrial Technical School of Ouatesala
years basic military studies at tha Military leadeay
6 nontha speeiallaed in artillery at tba Militaryear baale eouree lo School of applied Tactics,onths, Osaeral Staff course (QroundJ Ft. LeeTenvorth, Kaunas LJ months. Service Couree atLeavenworth.
Careen
ante red tbe Military Ac ad6
9
June lyUi
Lt, Colonel
Coaetndar of Artillery Unit, Ft.7 Instructor of Artillery, Ft.hief of Artillery of tha Atlanticu. Plrat Chief of Expeditionary Force for the Defease of the
Atlanticuly Tnstrudtor of Artillery, Ft. Sanapt. toaotioo, Oaneral Staff,.ection, Oaneral Staff,deb-nirecter of HlliUry Academy,5 to. Professor of Tactlos, Second Course, Military Aeadaay,ar. Ivh? Direotor of Military7 untilQ. Thsn
traasferred to become chief of garriaoa atecondary post,
Detailed to Tlsit USMA la
Definitely pro-American. Cooperated with S. ml felons aid tbs Military Attache.
On Saturday,he government police arrested CASTILLO Armas, Chief of Maaatenanco garrison. CASTILLO waa an Aranieta. Whan the goTsmnent called for hia to sand troopa to the capital ons arranged lo hare bis soldiers sues the train *ich stopped in Kaaateaanco for then. Followingh, he was naturally Tary anch out of favor with the government, and hs resigned hia army eairalssloa andtillan he appears to have
SECURITY* INFORMATlOri
CAflTTLLO Armas is well-known for bis integrity and patriotism. He hasno secret of his opposition to the present moral corruption of those in power. He has steadfastly refused to MOfpt any position offered by ARBrYZ, apparently not wishing to compromise his repetition by being associated with ths reglne.
CASTILLO Armas led an armed attack on the Military Base the 5th. Id the attempt, be was wounded. The rwemrnt failed, and be was imprisoned.
(iccording to theeports say that CASTILLO Armaaery close personal friend ofut the law had to be corsjjlled with regarding each revolutionary acts by an officer in the Outtanalan army.)
The evenlncASTILLO Amas escaped from the National Prison, took refuge ln one of the enbao'ies, and was granted salvo conducta to El Salvador.
Original document.
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