Office of the Historian

345. Telegram From the Embassy in Cuba to the Department of State1

Havana, July 27, 1959—1 p.m.

239. Many local Americans have expressed to Embassy their fear that admission of Batista to US would have seriously harmful repercussions on US relations with Cuba, and would directly affect their own safety and welfare. Recent press stories of appeal by Mrs. Batista on behalf of her husband have aggravated their anxiety that US Government may be seriously thinking of authorizing Batista’s entry.

I can think of nothing that would be more disastrous at this juncture to our interests and prospects here than admission of Batista.

Bonsal
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 737.00/7–2759. Confidential; Priority. Repeated to Ciudad Trujillo.↩