348. Telegram 1210 From the Embassy in the Dominican Republic to the Department of State1

1210. Subject: Prominent Journalist Murdered.

1. Prominent 29-year-old journalist Orlando Martinez was shot and killed by unknown assailants evening of March 17.

2. Although Martinez was known as a Marxist and was in fact an undercover member of Partido Comunista Dominicano, he was widely respected in journalistic and political circles for intelligence, integrity and writing ability. Public reaction to assassination has been one of shock and horror. All dailies gave it headline coverage today and editorially demanded that it be thoroughly investigated and murder be solved. Papers noted parallel between this assassination and that of Ultima Hora Editor Gregorio Garcia Castro in March 1973 and speculated that killing could represent threat to freedom of press.

3. Comment. Martinez’s daily column in El Nacional and line as editor of weekly Ahora angered many influential people. Among his conspicuous targets were large landowners, military officers, ex-President Juan Bosch and President Balaguer. He had recently received number of telephoned threats from unidentified callers. His murder could become cause celebre of leftist opposition. Rumors are already circulating that GODR, coached by CIA, was responsible for Martinez’s death.

Hurwitch
  1. Summary: The Embassy reported on the murder of Orlando Martínez, a leftist journalist who had been critical of the government, opposition figures, and other powerful interests in Dominican society.

    Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D750094–0669. Limited Official Use; Priority. Repeated to Bogotá, Caracas, Mexico City, Port-au-Prince, and San Salvador. In telegram 1227, March 19, the Embassy reported on further reaction to the killing of Martínez. (Ibid., D750097–0568) In telegram 1271, March 21, the Embassy reported that the situation had calmed somewhat and that “there now seems little likelihood that murder of Martínez will cause significant disturbances as seemed possible immediately following his death.” (Ibid., D750100–0746) Telegram 1334 from Santo Domingo, March 27, noted the slow progress of the investigation. (Ibid., D750108–0126)