164. Telegram 5586 From the Embassy in El Salvador to the Department of State1

5586. Subject: Possible Assassination of AmCit Ronald James Richardson. Ref: State 292197.

1. I called on President Molina 11:30 a.m. today (8 December) and informed him of the possible death of Ronald James Richardson, American citizen, at the hands of Salvadoran Government personnel. I mentioned specifically the involvement in the case of Salvadoran immigration service (Direccion General de Migracion) and Col Chacon personally. Also present were FonMin Mauricio Borgonovo Pohl, Defense Minister Federico Castillo Yanes and the DCM. The President listened attentively as I related chronology of events. He directed the Minister of Defense in my presence to initiate and conduct a thorough investigation and to call on the Minister of the Interior who has jurisdiction over the GOES Immigration Service to collaborate. In addition to promising full investigation, the President emphasized the policy of his government respecting human rights and judicial process while admitting possibility excess of zeal at times on the part of subordinate officials.

2. We decided alert the President in advance to the subject of the meeting by having Political Officer call yesterday (December 7) on Secretary of Foreign Affairs Ricardo Castaneda who admitted informally death of subject at hands security forces could have occurred. President was obviously ready with his reaction and presence of appropriate officials had been arranged. I had also personally asked FonMin to be present.

3. [less than 1 line not declassified] I cited sources qte outside government unqte as having confirmed to Embassy that Richardson had [Page 471] been killed. Neither Castaneda nor the President had question or comment about sources.

4. I emphasized to President my and the U.S. Government’s wish that matter be cleared up and appropriate actions taken before possible public disclosure and inquiry into the case occurred.

Lozano
  1. Summary: The Embassy reported that it had asked Molina for further information on the possible death of a detained U.S. citizen at the hands of Salvadoran Government personnel.

    Source: Department of State, INR/IL Historical Files, San Salvador 1963–1979, Roger Channel. Secret; Priority. Repeated to Guatemala, Managua, Mexico, Panama, and San José. All brackets are in the original except those indicating text that remains classified. Telegram 292197 was not found. In telegram 263443 to San Salvador, October 23, the Department transmitted a report indicating that Richardson had been “eliminated” by the Salvadoran security services after his arrest because they “‘did not know what to do with him.’” (Ibid.) In telegram 4970 from San Salvador, October 27, the Embassy summarized the information it had on Richardson’s case, noting that he had entered El Salvador on August 25 and had been detained after reportedly offering his services to the Salvadoran Government as a mercenary; Salvadoran officials later claimed that he had been deported to Guatemala. (Ibid.)