718.00/7–954:Circular telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Guatemala 1
priority
22. In view repeated reports invasion of Costa Rica imminent from Nicaragua, to overthrow Figueres Government, following positive steps were taken today materially to lessen this danger:
- (1)
- In talks with Ambassadors of Costa Rica and Nicaragua2 here, Holland emphasized sharp US concern any political upheaval at this time following so closely events in Guatemala.
- (2)
- Holland also informed Nicaraguan Ambassador here US confident no invasion of Costa Rica would be allowed proceed from his country and instructed our Ambassador Managua inform Somoza in similar terms.
- (3)
- In response Sevilla Sacasa’s memo3 citing 15 Nicaraguan exiles in Costa Rica as danger to Nicaragua, Holland later urged Costa Rican Foreign Minister and Ambassador Facio exceed substantially previous offer expel three Nicaraguan exiles, to which they assented; meanwhile, Embassy San José has received Betancourt visa application which now being studied for possible recommendation as visitor.
- (4)
- Instructed Embassy Caracas tell Foreign Minister4 US opposed to any violence in Costa Rica and would if requested comply OAS obligations. Possibly as consequence, Ambassador Gonzalez, to whom our previous efforts to procure departure of Betancourt from Costa Rica have been explained, was summoned to Caracas.
- (5)
- Assured Costa Rica initial shipment 14 tons on $491,000 amount arms purchased from US two months ago (but held up during Guatemalan crisis) will be delivered by USAF San José July 14 via Panama. This sale and delivery had previously been explained to Nicaragua and Venezuela and apparently accepted; Figueres assured Holland today this shipment would not be publicized, but Costa Rican papers have previously exploited forthcoming delivery as evidence US support for Figueres.
Although reports of invasion plan not yet substantiated, Department regards number of circumstantial developments as indicating definite scheme afoot, headed by Costa Rican exiles but with Venezuela and Nicaragua implicated. Firm US policy in this situation is to ameliorate political tensions creating excuse for movement against Figueres, and reestablish stability in area especially in relations Nicaragua–Costa Rica. We also concerned adverse world reaction from overthrow legitimately elected liberal democratic Costa Rican Government, for which US would be censured because of our predominant position in area and alleged role in recent change of government in Guatemala.
You may use foregoing in your discretion. Important and useful to Department you evaluate realistically and report factually any developments bearing on problem.