Foreign Relations of the United States, 1955–1957, American Republics: Central and South America, Volume VII

446. Memorandum From Albert H. Gerberich of the Office of South American Affairs to the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs (Lyon)¹

Washington, February 3, 1956

SUBJECT

• Comments on the Political Situation in Colombia

The popularity of Gen. Gustavo Rojas Pinilla, who exerts a virtual military dictatorship in Colombia in the name of the Conservative Party, seems to have continuously fallen off during the past year or so. It is possible that he has a strong following amongst the rank and file of the people in the country, but most of the political leaders are now hostile to him. The restrictions he has imposed on the press of the country have not only accentuated this hostility but have raised a considerable storm of protest abroad. At the present time there are no Liberal newspapers published in the capital and no Laureanista newspapers published in the entire country. The Laureanistas (followers of ex-President Laureano Gomez) are said to make up 90 of the membership of the Conservative Party.

President Rojas still seems to be in firm control of the situation. He has said publicly that the army, the church and the people are all with him. There is no evidence of any break in the army support. He has been extremely careful to avoid any disagreement with the Church and its policies. The sectors of the populace who would like to overthrow him appear to lack both leadership and means to carry out any such objective. Nevertheless, rumors have been heard in Bogotá, Washington, and Caracas that his days are numbered, that there is well-advanced plotting against him, and that he will be deposed by joint action of the military and traditional political elements.

The civil strife in the country is centered mostly in the southern Andes (where the Departments of Tolima, Valle, Cauca and Huila meet) and in the western Llanos. Guerrilla strength is estimated at between 6000 and 7000 in all. Guerrilla activity has not as yet become a serious threat to the stability of the government.

The principal problems facing us are:

1. Religious Strife. The two most pressing phases of this problem are (a) the question of the opening of the Protestant schools; (b) the attack on the Reverend Julius Allan deGruyter last October 17. The Colombian Ambassador has promised to give us a definite statement regarding the former, but says he has received no word from Bogotá. The Colombian Government has not given us a satisfactory statement in reply to our request that those guilty of the attack on deGruyter be punished. A note to the Colombian Embassy expressing our dissatisfaction on this point is being prepared. The matter of the schools will become serious if they are refused approval on the basis of religious discrimination.

2. Military Assistance. The Colombians have submitted a formal request that their responsibilities under the Mutual Assistance Agreement be expanded and that they be given additional military supplies to enable them to carry out such responsibilities. The request was forwarded to the Pentagon, but no reply has yet been made to it.

3. Reimbursement for Logistic Support in Korea. Colombia theoretically owes between $14 and $15 million for logistic support to its forces in the Korean campaign, but maintains that it was promised that the bill would be subject to negotiation both as to amount and currency. At the present moment a careful survey is under way of all these reimbursement bills, which will probably result in specific recommendations to the President as to the action to be taken.

4. Paz de Rio Steel Plant Credit. The Eximbank is still waiting for word from the Colombians as to whether they wish to submit their application under the conditions laid down in its note to Ambassador Zuleta.

5. Air Agreement. Negotiations for a Bilateral Aviation Agreement began in Bogotá on February 1st.²

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 821.413/2–356. Secret.
2. In a note to Foreign Minister Sourdis, dated January 17, Ambassador Bonsal stated in part that the United States was prepared to assign “one or more specialists to provide technical consultation and assistance in civil aviation to the Ministry of Public Works of Colombia” and to other agencies concerned with civil aviation. The bilateral agreement entered into force on March 27 upon receipt by the United States of a note from Sourdis which stated Colombia’s acceptance of the terms of Bonsal’s note. For text, see 7 UST (pt. 1) 715.