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

VE–41. Telegram from the Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in Venezuela¹

Washington, April 28, 1960, 8:12 p.m.

926. Department has noted with interest three separate occasions your conversation reported Embtel 819² on which Betancourt indicated his view satisfactory Inter-American resolution Castro problem depends on prior action re Trujillo and that he prepared take lead on Cuba, which he certain most other Latin Americans would quickly join, if Trujillo problem resolved with U.S. cooperation. We believe this frank statement made by Betancourt offers good opportunity which, in your discretion and if you believe it can be done without becoming known to Fonmin, you should pursue to endeavor ascertain from Betancourt what he and others of like view have in mind as to leadership which might take over in Dominican Republic if Trujillo resigns or is ousted. Should be clear to Betancourt that Castro or elements associated him only too ready move into Dominican Republic to establish Castro-type regime and that in resultant situation Castro would be strengthened with consequent immediate threat to Haiti as well as to Betancourt’s own position in Venezuela. We would appreciate his thinking on manner such development might be avoided, since it obviously one to which he must have given serious thought. This is of course a major preoccupation for us.

In this connection, would be particularly interesting to know Betancourt’s evaluation of potential and orientation of various anti-Trujillo groups within Dominican Republic and abroad, including those in Venezuela.³

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 731.00/4–2760. Secret; Limit Distribution. Drafted by Jamison and John C. Hill, Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs. The telegram was repeated for information to the Embassy in the Dominican Republic.
2. Not printed; 731.00/4–2760.
3. When queried on the substance of telegram 926, Betancourt responded that the United States should speak to José Figueres and “trust in his judgment,” since Figueres had been very active in working with non-Communist Dominican exiles.
   He stated that there were very few Communists in the Dominican Republic or among the exile groups and that the United States should not worry about another Fidel Castro in the Dominican Republic. He reasserted that the United States must face up to the Trujillo problem before the United States faced the Cuban problem, and warned, “do not attack Cuban problem and expect handle it way Guatemala under Arbenz was handled.” He advised that the program which should be followed vis-á-vis Cuba was to press for elections. (731.00/5–560)