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

HO–7. Telegram from the Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in Honduras¹

Washington, May 16, 1959, 10:58 a.m.

362. Sevilla-Sacasa saw Rubottom May 14 and revealed Nicaragua firmly convinced Villeda holding up ratification of Nicaraguan-Honduran agreement because does not want to be held responsible for airborne revolutionaries from Cuba who he said planned land in disputed territory and be transshipped from there to Bonanza and La Luz areas in interior Nicaragua where U.S. has extensive mining interests.²

Sevilla expressed belief Villeda playing part of fool in permitting himself being used as tool for alleged invasion since Nicaragua will take vigorous retaliatory action against Honduras if territory it nominally controls pending settlement of dispute is used for staging ground. Sevilla said Nicaragua has called upon mixed military commission to investigate rumored plan of invasion force to use vaguely defined air fields in Gracias a Dios Department.

Department fully aware of numerous approaches made by Ambassador to Villeda in effort obtain ratification Honduras-Nicaraguan Agreement signed FEB 26 1959. In view of recurrent reports that revolutionary movements continuing against GON, DEPT suggests AMB make another approach to President pointing out that ratification of Agreement soon by Honduran Congress would have calming effect in CA area, especially at this time when invasion rumors again reaching crescendo. Furthermore, you might wish tell President that U.S. must soon begin to look with grave concern on long delay ratification and that we have special interest in matter since we were involved in assisting countries to arrive at an agreement when Villeda regime threatened. We understand reluctance Honduran Congress pass on any agreement involving Nicaragua, but believe Villeda, in interests of Honduran international relations, especially in posture before OAS, must insist Liberal Congressional leaders that ratification necessary immediately. DEPT is conveying above feeling to Ambassador Davila.

Regarding reports of air invasion Nicaragua on [text not declassified] May 6 had [text not declassified] report that such a movement was in final stages of organization in Cuba and was being headed by NICA communists.

Admitting that AMB Sevilla may have given us distorted version, DEPT nevertheless views with concern GON’s report that Honduras may be used in asserted movement emanating from Cuba. Embassy instructed tell GOH that in view of fairly firm intelligence its forces should be on special alert for any use of its territory, in violation international treaties.³

Dillon

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 615.173/5–1659. Confidential; Niact. Drafted by Stewart, cleared with Dreier, and initialled by Rubottom. The telegram was also repeated for information to Managua and Habana.
2. On May 31–June 1, a group of revolutionary exiles living in Costa Rica invaded Nicaragua. For additional information on the attempted invasion, see the compilation on United States relations with Nicaragua.
3. In telegram 432 from Tegucigalpa, May 16, Ambassador Newbegin informed the Department of State that, in the course of a conversation he had that morning with President Villeda, he had told Villeda that concern was increasing within the Department of State about the failure of the Honduran Congress to ratify the agreement with Nicaragua, and that the Department of State was hopeful Villeda would take effective action to obtain prompt action on the matter. (715.00/5–1659)