Editorial Note
On June 1, 1952, José María Velasco Ibarra was elected President of Ecuador to succeed President Galo Plaza Lasso. In a memorandum to Assistant Secretary Miller, dated June 3, 1952, commenting on the election, Edgar L. McGinnis, Jr. of the Office of South American Affairs stated in part that “Because of his inconsistent and unpredictable nature, it is believed that Velasco’s election is less desirable from the standpoint of US policy than [Conservative Party candidate Ruperto] Alarcón’s election would have been.” He further stated the following: “From the standpoint of governmental stability, it appears that a Velasco administration would be weak due to the political animosities dating back to his overthrow in 1935 and again in 1947. From the viewpoint of the communist question, it is believed that Velasco is definitely anti-communist.” (722.00/6–352)
In an exchange of letters, dated June 12 and June 20, 1952, Ambassador Daniels and Assistant Secretary Miller discussed the possibility of an unofficial visit by President-elect Velasco Ibarra to the United States which would provide an opportunity for him to clarify his political views to the press (Miller files, lot 53 D 26, “Ecuador”). In telegram 398, from Quito, marked eyes only for Assistant Secretary Miller, Ambassador Daniels stated that he had requested outgoing President Plaza to take the initiative in seeking the President-elect’s reaction to this idea (722.11/6–2652). No such visit materialized.