215. Memorandum of conversation, June 22, between President of the Chamber of Deputies Caldera, Ambassador Mayobre and Rusk and Ingersoll1
SUBJECT
- VENEZUELA: Political Situation
PARTICIPANTS
- Dr. Rafael CALDERA, President of the Chamber of Deputies of Venezuela
- Dr. Jose Antonio MAYOBRE, Ambassador of Venezuela
- The Secretary
- John J. Ingersoll, Officer in Charge of Venezuelan Affairs
Dr. Caldera, accompanied by Ambassador Mayobre called on the Secretary at 4:40 p.m. today.
The Secretary expressed his pleasure to see Dr. Caldera and Dr. Caldera said he wished to express to the Secretary the appreciation of his Government for the sympathetic and helpful attitude of the Department and the new Administration for Venezuela’s problems.
The Secretary asked Dr. Caldera what are the principal problems occupying the attention of the Venezuelan Government.
Dr. Caldera said that the principal problems are economic at the present time. He described the budget difficulties, the unemployment situation and the austerity measures proposed by President Betancourt. [Typeset Page 514] He said that the communists and other extremists had labelled these measures “Program of Hunger”. He said that for the most part the Government has demonstrated its ability to control the subversive and disruptive efforts of the left-wing extremists.
The Secretary inquired about the political conditions at the University and Dr. Caldera said that political action by his party and other moderate elements is necessary at the University and secondary school level because the communists are extremely active in these fields and must not be left to control these vital groups. Dr. Caldera said that the recent elections in the labor unions and in the [Facsimile Page 2] Universities have shown considerable and growing strength on the part of the COPEI and AD forces. He outlined in some detail the extent of the recent victories in the individual Universities.
The Secretary asked about the strength of religion in Venezuelan politics. Dr. Caldera replied that the Venezuelans try to keep religion and politics separated. There followed some general discussion of the tactics and ability of the communists to extend their influence at all levels of the population, particularly in the towns and villages and rural areas. The Secretary said that Mr. Khrushchev has tried to label the United States the “Gendarme of the Status Quo” and that we must make clear to the common people everywhere that this is not so and that we do, in fact, sincerely desire to improve the lot of the common man but in an atmosphere of freedom.
Dr. Caldera thanked the Secretary for his courtesy in receiving him and expressed his hope that they would meet again soon.
- Political situation in Venezuela. Official Use Only. 2 pp. DOS, CF, 731.00/6–2261.↩