333. Memorandum Prepared in the Central Intelligence Agency1
SUBJECT
- The Future Role of the Military in Uruguay
Summary: The military revolt that occurred in mid-February after President Bordaberry attempted to stop military meddling in politics has left the armed forces in virtual control of the government. Bordaberry remains in the presidency only at the sufferance of the armed services, who appear to want to maintain civilian institutions intact to give military control of executive policy a semblance of continued democratic rule and constitutionality.
The vehicle for the military’s direction of government will be a newly created National Security Council composed of the commanders of the three branches of service and key cabinet ministers. The military’s initial interest in civilian matters has been to move against corruption in and out of government. There are indications, however, that the armed forces will quickly turn their attention to measures to halt economic deterioration, which last year was reflected in the 94-percent increase in the cost of living.
It is clear that the military officers now overseeing the government have the potential to make dramatic changes in Uruguay’s deteriorating economy. The unanswered question is whether they can bring Uruguay’s people out of their lethargy and complacency to join in the struggle.
[Omitted here is the body of the memorandum]
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Summary: The Central Intelligence Agency concluded that the February dispute between President Bordaberry and the Uruguayan military had ended with the armed forces “in virtual control of the government,” and that the military would soon move toward economic reform.
Source: Central Intelligence Agency, Office of Support Services (DI), Job 79T00861A: Intel Pub Files (1973), Box 11, Folder 1: The Future Role of the Military in Uruguay. Secret; [handling restriction not declassified]. Attached notes indicate that the memorandum was distributed to Kendall, Jorden, Stedman, Vallimarescu, and Summ.
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