714.001/10–1950
The Chargé in Guatemala (Wells) to the Department of State
No. 430
Subject: Anti-Communism in Guatemalan Politics.
The Embassy in recent weeks has reported developments which would appear to indicate an anti-Communist re-orientation of the Arévalo administration, followed by an equally precipitous retreat. Leading events reported include: the overwhelming ratification of the Rio Treaty1 over stubborn Communist opposition; anti-Communist statements by the Foreign Minister; closure of the Communist [Page 921] newspaper and workers’ school by the Minister of Government;2 the successful revolt against Manuel Pinto Usaga in the important railway labor union; and most recently, the virtual dismissal of the Minister of Government3 and the re-appearance of leading Communists as campaigners for the heir-apparent, Colonel Jacobo Arbenz.
The Embassy is of the opinion that two underlying factors demand the exercise of considerable reserve in evaluating the significance of these developments; namely, (1) they were undoubtedly set in motion under the concealed but more or less direct influence of Arévalo or Arbenz, or both; and (2) the prime objective of Arbenz at this time is to secure votes, an aim presumably concurred in by Arévalo considering Arbenz’ status as de facto “official” candidate.
No one but the two principal leaders themselves is in a position to describe their real feelings on Communism in Guatemala. With judgment on this point therefore suspended for the time being, the meaning of the developments under discussion is assessed on the basis of the political realities facing Arbenz and Arévalo. Simply stated, the primary objective is to win the forthcoming elections for Arbenz and to assure continuance of the revolutionary regime. All other objectives are secondary. A main source of votes is found in organized labor, dominated by the Communists, and in the vast bureaucracy, filled by political parties which harbor many Communists in disguise.
It is not surprising, then, that efforts to purify Guatemala’s international reputation had to stop short of the point of throwing away prospective votes. Whatever the convictions held by top leaders, the cold force of political necessity prevents a thoroughgoing purge of Communist influences until the regime is safely seated for another term.
Therefore, the Embassy considers that we must reserve judgment for the time being.
- On September 22; for pertinent documentation, see the letter from Ernest V. Siracusa, Assistant Officer in Charge of Central America and Panama Affairs, to Mr. Wells, December 7, 1950, p. 925.↩
- Lt. Col. Elfego Monzón, who had been appointed on July 25.↩
- Sr. Monzón resigned October 13 after being censured by the Guatemalan Congress by a vote of 46 to 2 for the measures mentioned in the text. In a memorandum of October 17 to Mr. Miller, Mr. Mann commented in part: “While there were other issues involved with respect to this action, such as freedom of the press, there is no doubt that this development is a distinct set-back to the anti-communist trend which previously had been noted in Guatemala.” (714.001/10–1750)↩