Editorial Note

During the months of May and June 1954, while events in Guatemala absorbed the attention of the United States and most other Central American countries, an abortive attempt to assassinate President Somoza of Nicaragua on April 4, 1954, created another source of tension in the region. Evidence accumulated by President Somoza indicated that the conspirators had been launched from Costa Rica with the possible complicity of leading Costa Rican officials, including President Figueres. For further documentation on the circumstances surrounding the assassination attempt, see pages 1378 ff.