817.00/10–647: Telegram
The Chargé in Nicaragua (Bernbaum) to the Secretary of State
342. Renato Argüello, son of Dr. Leonardo Argüello, called this morning to request this Embassy’s aid in procuring safe conduct for his father to leave country. After expressing sympathy, I told him nothing could be done in view of long standing policy of US on asylum which allowed aid only in case of immediate danger to life.
Mexican Embassy Secretary told this Embassy today that state Dr. Argüello’s health considered critical. Friday night he suffered heart attack which doctors diagnosed as result of his enforced sedentary life. This complication is added to his existing diabetes, amoebas, hemorrhoids and mental anxiety. This office expressed fears that Dr. Argüello might die within Embassy because of complete impasse which had developed in the case between Mexican Embassy, acting on Dr. Argüello’s behalf, and Foreign Office. Latter has now refused to grant exit visa whether or not Dr. Argüello should agree to renounce [Page 877] presidency. On other hand Dr. Argüello absolutely refused accept Somoza’s offer of safe conduct to go to his home or to any local hospital.
[In telegram 227, October 8, 10 a.m., Acting Secretary Lovett stated as follows: “You are authorized in your discretion as a humanitarian measure to extend informal good offices (urtel 342 Oct 6) with a view to obtaining safe conduct permitting Dr. Leonardo Argüello to leave Nicaragua.” (817.00/10–647) On October 8, the Chargé informed the Mexican Ambassador that the American Mission would be glad to be of informal assistance in the Argüello matter; the Mexican Ambassador confirmed that authorities were not disposed to permit Argüello to leave the country (817.00/10–847). Despatches 1783 and 1791, October 7 and 14, respectively, reported (1) the issuance by the Nicaraguan Foreign Office of a communiqué declaring that the Government would not allow Dr. Argüello to leave his asylum in the Mexican Embassy for exile abroad, and (2) Constituent Assembly decree of October 13 prohibiting the departure from Nicaragua of the deposed President without the express authorization of the Constituent Assembly (817.00/10–747;/10–1447).]