824.01/7–2446
The Ambassador in Mexico (Thurston) to the Secretary of State
No. 509
[Received July 30.]
Sir: I have the honor to inform the Department that according to information published in the local press, the Mexican Secretary of Foreign Relations will take no precipitate action in recognizing the new regime in Bolivia until the situation in that country becomes clear. At the present time Mexico is represented in La Paz by a Chargé d’Affaires.
The new Mexican Ambassador to Bolivia, Lie. Manuel Victor Maldonado, who is now in Mexico, will delay his departure for La Paz until the situation becomes sufficiently clear to determine whether or not the Ambassador will continue to delay his departure or proceed to La Paz; as under the Mexican “Estrada Doctrine”,39 the arrival of the Ambassador at his post in Bolivia will per se constitute recognition of the new Régime.
It is pointed out in Mexican circles that the recent events may have repercussions in neighboring countries, as for example, in Paraguay, where the political situation is tense owing to the strong opposition to President General Higinio Moriñigo, whose overthrow might be accomplished also in the midst of violent events.
Respectfully yours,
Counselor of Embassy
- For an account of this doctrine, see Instituto Americano de Derecho y Legislación Comparada, La Doctrina Estrada, Mexico, 1930; see also American Journal of International Law, 1931, vol. 25, Supplement, p. 203.↩