810.00/11–2948: Airgram
The Ambassador in Costa Rica (Davis) to the Secretary of State
A–416. On Nov 27 the local press announced that the Caribbean Legion1 had formally disbanded.2 President Figueres, in a statement to the press, said:
“A few moments ago General Miguel Angel Ramírez, Chief of the Caribbean Legion, and various other officers forming the general staff [Page 536] of that military group came to visit me. They came with the object of informing me of the approaching demobilization of the Caribbean Legion which, as our people should well remember, played a very important role in the triumph of the revolution and which is made up of valiant citizens who risked their lives on Costa Rican battle fields. If at that time they were our friends and many of them intervened with courage and valor in the effort towards liberation, their present gesture is no less magnificent since by their action they are endeavoring to obliterate the disquiet which the composition of this group had given rise to in the various countries. I understand that the greater part of those who compose the Legion, if not all, will leave our territory in the near future. We must thank General Ramírez with regard to all we owe them and send through him an affectionate salute to the components of this military group which will be demobilized in a few days.”
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Just what will happen to the members of the Caribbean Legion remains problematical. Their public disbandment may only be a concession to opposition which has always been present with regard to their activities and the possible interference of Costa Rica in the affairs of its neighbors.
One local newspaper remarked that the members of the Legion would scatter to the various countries from which they came and again take up their every day work. When it was pointed out to Mr. Figueres that General Ramírez would perhaps have a certain reluctance to returning to the US where he is under indictment, Mr. Figueres said he had been unaware of that factor and asked what the reason for his difficulties might be. When it was explained that it involved a violation of the arms export regulations, Mr. Figueres laughingly remarked that such activities were entirely honest.
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- A group of political exiles and military men from countries in the Caribbean area, with the alleged aim to overthrow certain dictatorial governments in the area.↩
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A memorandum by the Acting Chief of the Division of Central America and Panama Affairs (Bennett), November 30, 1948, stated in part:
↩“In discussing the need for confidence as a factor in the improvement of Costa Rica’s economic situation, Ambassador Davis, in a conversation with President Figueres on November 25, suggested that one means of restoring confidence would be taking action to convince the world that Costa Rica has no war-like intentions. The President admitted that so long as the Caribbean Legion is in Costa Rica appearances are against his Government.” (810.00/11–3048)