LATIN AMERICA - THE SITUATION IN GUATEMALA; AND REBEL INCURSIONS INTO NICARAGUA

Created: 11/14/1960

OCR scan of the original document, errors are possible

/

Ydigoras remains In control in the capitalcoordinated insurgent attacks on military Installations in Guatemala City and In two key provincial cities onovember. Attempts to seize the two major army garrisons In Guatemala Citywould have meant thefall of the government--failed, but the insurgents were able toesser military Installation In the capital and to withdrawuantity of military equipment andumber of defecting soldiers. At about the same time, the army garrison in the Caribbean eity of Puerto Barrios revolted, and tbe garrison In Zacapa, key city controlling the rail line froa tbe capital to the sea, alBocame under insurgent control. Ydigoras, facing tbe most serious threat of hla nearly three years Intate of siege throughout the country.

Tho extent of armyis still unclear, but key officers, Including DofenseGonzalez Slgul and tbe capital's two regimentalapparently have thus far remained loyal. The air force,ecisive element in quelling the revolt, hasgone into action against insurgent-controlled bases in Puerto Barrios and Zacapa. ightist political loaderon the day of tbe revolt, however, that part of tbe air

CIA HISTORICAL REVIEW PROGRAM RELEASE AS7

force is committed to neutrality in passive support of the revolt.

Preliminary reportstbat tho revolt was plottedoalition of antl-Ydlgoros forces- rangingJghtiet faction of the late President Castillo Ait..as' politicalto the Communist-front Revolutionary Unity party (PUR).

o'u'rc?

onovember that the revolt is being led by politicallycolonels "who lean toward the non-Communistnd that all antl-Ydlgorasare to be included in the new government. The PUR, which is reportedly slated for at least one cabinet post, has ties with the Castro regime in Cuba. The Cuban Government was reliably reported last month to havethe Guatemalan Communists and pro-Communists with financial support and the promise of arms aidevolution against Ydigoras.

While there is no evidence at this tine thatebel attacks in Nicaragua and the current revolt inare coordinated moves directed from Cuba, the Castro regime is known to bo piedplyin Central Americanplotting.

Nov 60

INTELLIGENCE DIGEST

13

/

WTIN AMERICA

Incursions Into Nicaragua

Hebel groups attempting to aoizo key apote in aouthern Nicaragua. Hr( diapareed in separate actions onndovember by Costa Rican and Nlcaraguan defenso groups. They apparently represent avariety of Nlcaraguan opposition groups, from conservativeseftist pro-Castro faction. Hembors of the latter group were cultivated by the Cuban asbassador prior to thediplomatic break vith Cuba last June and nay subsequently have received Cuban aid. There is no confirmation, however, of Nlcaraguan Government claias that the rebel move was directed

or closely supported by the Castro regime.

The Nlcaraguan Government, which has declared oartlal lav, expects another attack by rebel: known to be near the border with Honduras to the North, but Is believed capable ofany new rebel raids frou this quarter.

CIA HISTORICAL REVIEW PROGRAM RELEASE AS7

Nov 60

INTELLIGENCE DIGEST

14

Original document.

Comment about this article, ask questions, or add new information about this topic: