192. Memorandum From the Director of the Bureau of Intelligence and Research (Hilsman) to Secretary of State Rusk1
INTELLIGENCE NOTE
- Argentina Threatened by Military Take-over
Guido government weakened by Cabinet crisis. Argentina’s Minister of Defense, Cantilo, has resigned amid criticism of his failure to resolve the [Page 400] dispute between rival factions of the Army. The “hard-line” faction, which now has the upper hand over forces loyal to the Guido government, is pressing for more authoritarian rule and repression of Peronism. It is demanding the resignation of other key Ministers and reportedly intends to force the resignation of President Guido himself.
“Hard-line” faction extends control over Army. Several officers in key command posts, who remained loyal during last week’s rebellion, have been replaced by supporters of “hard-line” leader Gen. Toranzo Montero. The “hard-line” now controls the Cavalry garrison at Campo de Mayo, the government’s major source of strength up to now.
Move to install military junta considered likely. The events of the past week-end, when the Guido government backed down from an armed fight with the rebel generals, revealed the government’s inability or unwillingness to mobilize enough support to block the “hard-line” thrust. Many formerly loyal officers now view the installation of a junta—in which they might still have some voice—as the only alternative to one-man rule. Even with across-the-board military participation, such a junta would incline toward “hard” policies which would postpone return to democratic processes and eventually provoke violent reaction from the Peronists, probably in alliance with the far left.
- Source: Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Countries Series, Argentina, General, 8/62. Confidential. Copies were sent to Bromley Smith, Schlesinger, and Taylor.↩