Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, Guatemala

208. Telegram From the CIA Chief of Station in Guatemala to the Central Intelligence Agency¹

Guatemala City, June 19, 1954, 2042Z.

906. From JMBLUG to Ascham.

1. There is no further use moralizing about or with [name not declassified]. We have gone as far as we can with talk. [name not declassified] is what he is. He has said what he needs. We may regret or dislike or disagree with his request but if we refuse it, we are abandoning what ever potential [name not declassified] may have and we can not afford that since Calligeris assets are too small.

2. [name not declassified] knows what effect bombs will have on the Latin temperament including his own. Aerial acrobatics are not the same thing.

3. Meanwhile the govt and Commies are arresting and killing. Martinez del Rosal got a bullet in the center of his forehead. They shot Perfecto Villegas and then ran a truck over him. Kaufman had his feet carbonized before he died.

4. While this goes on, we fail to bomb. This is what William James called “atrocious harmlessness”.

5. If we bomb, that does not guarantee [name not declassified] will act but then we will have done our utmost. And there is no danger of a boomerang. At this stage, both friend and foe respect force alone.

6. We have already missed the moment to bomb, mainly last night. We still have a chance today and tomorrow.

7. Many people have been to see me saying one bomb on palace would do the job.

8. Bomb repeat Bomb.

1. Source: Central Intelligence Agency, Job 79–01025A, Box 91, Folder 6. Secret; Operational Immediate; RYBAT; PBSUCCESS. Repeated to Operation PBSUCCESS Headquarters in Florida.