NI–3. Despatch from the Ambassador in Nicaragua (Whelan) to the Department of State1
SUBJECT
- The Invasion Plot and Relations with Honduras
President SOMOZA and his brother are still expecting the Nicaraguan exiles to make an invasion attempt from Honduras. If it comes, they intend to smash it bloodily, in order to prevent the development of a situation like the one in Cuba. General SOMOZA told the Military Attaché last weekend that he will use a regimental combat team for this purpose.
While President Somoza has consistently refused to credit rumors that the exiles are getting help or encouragement from President VILLEDA Morales, he has been concerned by reports that Foreign Minister ALVARADO Puerto and other associates of President Villeda are helping the exiles behind Villeda’s back. He was somewhat reassured on this score during the past few days by a report from Tegucigalpa that President Villeda had called in certain unspecified Honduran officials and “laid down the law” to them.
The President said yesterday that he had been in touch with Villeda and they had agreed to have a meeting soon after Easter. The Embassy believes such a meeting would help produce harmony and tolerance in their future relations.
The Embassy has today seen a report from Tegucigalpa, dated March 15, transmitting information obtained from a usually-reliable source concerning rather concrete invasion plans of GOMEZ Flores. We trust this report is being distributed to all recipients of our despatch 403.2
For the Ambassador:
Counselor of Embassy
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 717.00/3–1858. Confidential.↩
- Despatch 403 from Managua, March 11, not printed, reiterated Ambassador Whelan’s belief that the Nicaraguan exiles were planning an invasion of the country and expressed concern that the Embassy in Honduras had decided not to approach President Morales in order to convey its concern about the exiles’ reported invasion plans. (717.00/3–1158)↩