810.00/5–1249
The Ambassador in Guatemala (Patterson) to the Secretary of State
No. 228
Sir: I have the honor to refer to the Department’s Confidential Instruction no. 38 of March 24, transmitting a copy of a memorandum of conversation of March 11 with the Dominican Ambassador with regard to alleged anti-Dominican revolutionary activities in Guatemala,1 and specifically with regard to an alleged meeting of revolutionary elements in Guatemala City on February 15.
Discreet inquiries made through available sources have failed to verify the report regarding the meeting or “congress” allegedly held in Guatemala City on February 15. However, in view of the frequent visits here of Messrs. Juan Bosch, Miguel A. Ramirez, and others, and the more or less permanent residence of other individuals identified with the so-called Caribbean Legion, it is considered quite possible that some such a meeting did take place. Many past reports from this mission … have drawn attention to the obvious hospitality and cooperation enjoyed in Guatemala by this group, whose general aim is to overthrow Somoza2 and Trujillo. These past reports likewise clearly indicate that the Guatemalan Government gave material assistance to the Caribbean Legion3 in the Costa Rican adventure. It also is a matter of record that the Dominican and Nicaraguan emigrés carry on their scheming with the full knowledge and blessing of high Guatemalan officials.
[Page 445]Recent indications are that the Caribbean Legion is removing personnel and arms from Costa Rica to Guatemala, and yet unverified reports indicate that Legion elements presently are concentrated in the remote Poptun area on the Government agricultural projects in that locality. However, the Embassy has no information bearing upon another current rumor (which it is inclined to doubt) to the effect that the Legion is concentrating near Puerto Barrios, presumably poised for an invasion of the Dominican Republic. While one may not discount the possibility that some definite plan of revolutionary action exists, the Embassy’s impression is that the exodus of Legion personnel and arms from Costa Rica is merely a precautionary measure to gain the sheltering hospitality of Guatemala lest political developments in the former country take an unfavorable turn as regards Legion interests. In this connection, reference is made to the Embassy’s telegram no. 178 of May 5.4
With respect to the allegation that President Prío Socarras asked the Guatemalan Government to request the cooperation of Haiti to form a revolutionary movement in Haitian territory against the Dominican Republic, it may perhaps be significant that the new Haitian Chargé d’Affaires, M. Jean Coradin, has been encountered by a member of the Embassy staff in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, awaiting audience with the Foreign Minister, on two recent occasions. The possibility that his visits concern anti-Dominican activities is plausible, especially in view of Muñoz Meany’s5 vehement attitude toward Trujillo (and Somoza) and having in mind a recent report … commenting that the Foreign Minister appears to be “up to his neck” in Caribbean Legion affairs.
Indicative of the attitude of President Arévalo6 on the subject of “tropical dictatorships”, it is not inappropriate to recall a remark which he once made to former Ambassador Kyle in the sense that his utmost desire is to serve out the remainder of his term and then devote the rest of his life to eliminating the Caribbean dictators.
Respectfully yours,
First Secretary of Embassy
- Neither the instruction nor the memorandum of conversation is printed.↩
- Anastasio Somoza, President of Nicaragua.↩
- A group of political exiles and military men from countries in the Caribbean area with the alleged aim of overthrowing certain dictatorial governments in the area.↩
- Not printed.↩
- Enrique Muñoz Meany, Guatemalan Minister for Foreign Affairs.↩
- Juan José Arévalo, President of Guatemala.↩