Foreign Relations of the United States, 1958–1960, Volume V, Microfiche Supplement, American Republics

ES–14. Memorandum from the Director of the Office of Central American and Panamanian Affairs (Stewart) to the Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs (Rubottom)¹

Washington, April 12, 1960

SUBJECT

• Deterioration of Conditions in El Salvador

Problem

For some time we have been seeking an opportunity to impress upon President Lemus and upon the economic leaders of El Salvador our growing concern about the deterioration of political and social conditions in that country.

The current visit to Washington of Minister of Economy Alfonso Rochac will provide a good channel to get our views across to both groups.²

Discussion

Our Embassy’s reports over the past six months have become increasingly apprehensive over growing Cuban/Communist activating and greater social unrest in El Salvador (Tab A).³ Fidelismo is spreading like wildfire among the under privileged; there is growing lawlessness in the country, rape, murder, robbery and thievery. There are indications that some groups who have previously supported President Lemus are lukewarm or in opposition, either because the President has not moved energetically enough against communists, or because the President appeared to favor action which would limit their almost absolute economic control of the country. There are also reports of graft in the government and subversion of the courts. We have no reports to indicate that the government is taking any action to remedy the social and economic conditions in the country, which have recently been described publicly by church officials as the worst in Latin America (Tab B).⁴ The church statement observed that in El Salvador, the rich consider the poor as slaves.

Against this background of rapidly growing unrest stimulated by Cuban evangelism, we see the Salvadoran leaders—the oligarchy of the Army, the so-called 14 families and their gentry, and the church – divided among themselves, unable to give adequate leadership to attack the fundamental causes of the unrest.

President Eisenhower, the Secretary, Allen Dulles, yourself, and our Ambassadors to El Salvador have all previously indicated our concern about social conditions and communist activity in El Salvador to President Lemus, but without visible results. A very strong approach to Dr. Rochac at this time might reach both the President and the economic aristocracy. Rochac is of the middle class, with a liberal or radical background, and apparently without close ties to the gentry, so you might be preaching to the converted. However, it is well known that he is highly respected in his country and in the U. S., and this, together with his reputation for honesty and objectivity, would give great weight to any message from you he might take back to El Salvador.

Recommendation

That you call Dr. Rochac in for a forceful discussion along the following lines:

1. We have observed a deterioration of conditions in El Salvador which appear a serious threat to stability of the Government. Not only has the Government failed to take effective action against communist and Cuban subversion, but more important, it has failed to act to reduce the basic social and economic problems which create a climate favorable to revolutionary activity.

2. We consider that the current agitation in El Salvador is probably overdue, and should serve as a clear warning to the country’s governing groups. It is common knowledge that the campesino’s standard of living in El Salvador is almost the lowest in Latin America. It is only logical that communist and Cuban agitators realize this and concentrate their activities where the wealthy class is most vulnerable and where the chance of success is greatest.

3. We are reliably informed that agents of the Cuban government in association with communist groups are spreading the doctrine of violent social revolution in El Salvador and among other countries, and are directly interfering in the domestic political scene. Several of these same countries have urged that the U.S. act against the Cuban government unilaterally or through the OAS, apparently without being prepared to recognize that the interventionist extremism of the present Cuban government constitutes an even more imminent danger to them than to the U.S. We consider that those who are thus threatened by Fidelismo and Cuban subversive activities should feel no hesitance in bearing their share of responsibility for any collective action which may be required to counteract these threats, and should not hesitate to make known the grounds they have for complaints of Cuban intervention in their domestic affairs. However, we certainly would not wish to see action taken against Cuba used as a pretext for violent repression of all those forces working for social improvement in other countries. Though we deplore the direction in which the Cuban government is now moving, we have long supported not only in principle, but in practice, some of the necessary social and economic reforms which not only Castro but many democratic governments seek, the most obvious example being land reform.

4. Only the Salvadorans can resolve the problems their country faces. The wealthy must be prepared to make real financial sacrifices to feed, clothe and educate the poor. They must be more responsive to social pressures, or they will be wiped out totally. The recent anonymous letter forecasting the assassination of the loading members of the military and the aristocracy in El Salvador may have been only agitation, but it is not at all unbelievable that such a thing could happen if present trends continue.

5. We should be able to express our concern to Rochac without fear of personal affront, for we know of his outstanding efforts in his field to promote the development of his country, and do not consider him insensitive to his country’s problems. Many of those with whom he deals are insensitive, however, and might be interested in knowing how the U. S. Government views conditions in El Salvador. We hope he can convey this message to President Lemus and to the economic leaders of his country. We are eager to help out with well-planned aid projects, but it is difficult to help those who will not help themselves.⁵

1. Source: Department of State, ARA/OAP Files, Lot 64 D 16, “Political Local-General: El Salvador, 1960.” Secret. Drafted by Maxwell Chaplin.
2. A handwritten notation by Rubottom on the source text reads as follows: “Since I may not see him, I believe Messrs, Mallory and Mann might handle.” It is also noted on the source text that Mann saw this memorandum.
3. Not filed with source text.
4. Not filed with source text.
5. The source text bears approval lines, but no indication of action by Assistant Secretary Rubottom.