VE–33. Telegram from the Chargé in Venezuela (Burrows) to the Department of State1
135. Foreign Ministry director international policy and other Foreign Ministry officials at reception last night demonstrated open pleasure at news Perez Jimenez preventive arrest2 indicating awareness legal procedures could be protracted but assumption eventual extradition.
Federal district governor Carrillo Batalla telephoned yesterday afternoon to express concern Perez Jimenez’s deportation or flight from U.S., now with legal procedures underway would cause serious reaction here and throughout LA. Creole President Proudfit also telephoned yesterday to express apprehension about adverse Venezuelan reaction which he felt would follow if Perez Jimenez jumps bail and escapes. Proudfit had made personal call Monday to voice opinion based on conversation with Creole Venezuelan and U.S. executives that failure of U.S. to extradite Perez Jimenez would result in serious deterioration U.S.-Venezuelan relations with adverse repercussions on U.S. business here.
Other reactions to Perez Jimenez arrest as reported in press: Presidential Secretary General Velasquez “It is great news but I will have to see him here before I believe it.”
[Typeset Page 1279]Presidential press secretary Stredel “it is great to see the old dictator on opposite side of fence for a change but we still see his extradition a little far off. Let us hope justice is done.”
Presidential private secretary Yabrudy “too great to be true, time will tell if they are really going to send him to U.S.”
All local papers featured headline news of arrest and released on bail. Press, favorably impressed by arrest, increasingly insistent Perez Jimenez be returned LA. ESFERA frontpage [Facsimile Page 2] editorial typifies attitude: first favorable impression caused by reported arrest was set back by news that Perez Jimenez had been released on bond which, while adequate for others, is insignificant in case of Perez Jimenez who has robbed millions from public treasury; Venezuelan and continental democratic opinion expects State Department to honor extradition request based on Venezuela’s faith in U.S. fulfillment of international commitments “we look on preventive arrest of Perez Jimenez as best evidence for confidence in rectitude of U.S. justice and we expect extradition to make just amends for blood, sweat and tears shed by Venezuelans for ten years in cause of liberty.”
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 731.00/8–2659. Confidential.↩
- Pérez Jiménez was arrested on August 24, 1959, at his Miami Beach, Florida, estate, and later released on $25,000 bail. On September 7, 1960, the Government of Venezuela entered an extradition petition in Miami’s Federal District Court, charging Pérez with embezzlement and murder. Extradition procedures were completed on August 16, 1963.↩