Office of the Historian

VE–2. Memorandum from the Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs (Rubottom) to the Acting Secretary of State.1

Washington, January 28, 1958

SUBJECT

  • Visa Applications for ‘General Marcos Pérez Jiménez, Former President of Venezuela, and his Family.2

Background:

The Embassy in Ciudad Trujillo, in telegram No. 326 of January 27, (Tab B)3 reports that it is reliably informed that General Marcos Pérez Jiménez, former President of Venezuela, plans to apply for United States visas for himself, his wife and mother-in-law, four children, and a servant.

It has been our practice in the absence of extraordinary circumstances to grant visas to those exiled political leaders from Latin America who meet the general requirements of our visa laws and regulations. Many of the important Venezuelan political figures now re-emerging in the Venezuelan political scene enjoyed the hospitality of the United States during the ten year period of General Pérez Jiménez’ Government. Ex-President Romulo Betancourt was actually admitted in 1954 over the vehement protests of the Pérez Jiménez Government on the basis of our established practice.

Although the authoritarian character and the antagonism of the U.S. press toward the Government of General Pérez Jiménez make it likely that his admission into the United States would produce considerable press criticism, it is not believed that the circumstances surrounding this case are such as to justify denial of a visa. He is the bearer of the Legion of Merit, Degree of Chief Commander, which was bestowed upon him on November 12, 1954 by President Eisenhower. This decoration was bestowed upon him in recognition of his collaboration with the United States both internationally and in the development of Venezuela’s important and strategic petroleum resources through private United States and British enterprise. His policies of complete [Typeset Page 1195] support for private enterprise were frequently cited as an example in countries addicted to Socialistic practices.

To lessen the possibility that General Pérez Jiménez may wish to engage in subversive activity against the Venezuelan Government while in the United States, the consular officer handling his visa application will be instructed to require of General Pérez Jiménez verbal assurances that he will not undertake such activities during his stay in our country. A similar course of action was followed with ex-President Betancourt of Venezuela and is being followed in connection with the issuance of visas to other prominent Venezuela exiles who seek to enter the United States at this time.

Recommendation:

That you approve the attached telegram authorizing the issuance of visas General Pérez Jiménez and his family. (Tab A)4

  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 731.00/1–2858. Confidential. Drafted by Andrew B. Wardlaw, Officer in Charge of North Coast Affairs in the Office of South American Affairs, and initialled by Deputy Under Secretary Murphy.↩
  2. Documentation concerning the admission of Pérez Jiménez in the United States, and his eventual expulsion and extradition, is contained in Department of State decimal files 211.3115 and 611.318, and the following lot files: ARA/EST Files, Lot 60 D 249, “U.S.”: ARA/EST Files, Lot 62 D 8, “Pérez Jiménez”; and ARA/EST Files, Lot 61 D 319, “Pérez-Estrada Cases.”↩
  3. Not printed; 731.00/12758.↩
  4. Reference is to Department telegram 445 to Caracas, January 29, 1959, not printed. (731.00/12758).↩