Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, The American Republics, Volume IV

718.00/12–654

Memorandum by the Special Assistant to the Secretary for Intelligence (Armstrong) to the Under Secretary of State (Hoover)

confidential

[Washington,] December 6, 1954.

Subject:

• Intelligence Note: Mounting Tensions Threaten Figueres Regime

Recent reports of conspiracies to overthrow the government of constitutionally elected President Jose Figueres Ferrer of Costa Rica¹ underscore the deterioration of Figueres’ position at home and in neighboring countries during the year since his inauguration. His socialistic theories and international policies not only have alienated influential sectors of national opinion, but have intensified old enmities with powerful foreign adversaries, notably long-time dictator Somoza of Nicaragua. Threats of invasion involving Costa Rican exiles, coupled with mounting criticism from “loyal” opposition elements, may in time cause Figueres to feel compelled to break temporarily with Costa Rica’s tradition of respect for constitutional processes. Figueres will brand any invasion as foreign-based and invoke the Rio Treaty.

Foremost among Figueres’ “loyal” critics is his former friend, ex-President Ulate, who resents the rejection by the pro-administration majority in the legislature of a constitutional amendment which would have paved the way for Ulate to be a presidential candidate in 1958. A powerful newspaper publisher, Ulate has consistently denied involvement in conspiratorial activities. In the face of mounting internal and external pressures, however, he might consider it his duty to assume a leading role in an anti-Figueres movement.

Articulate Costa Ricans have criticized Figueres for making a fetish of opposing Caribbean dictatorships, for boycotting the Tenth Inter-American Conference at Caracas because of the alleged undemocratic character of the Venezuelan Government, and the government’s alleged connivance in a plot last April to assassinate Somoza.

Militant opposition to dictatorships has left Figueres alone before a formidable array of opponents. Closely linked with Somoza in various alleged anti-Figueres plots are Jimenez of Venezuela and Trujillo of the Dominican Republic. His other enemies include Carias, ex-dictator and presidential contender in Honduras, Castillo Armas of Guatemala, Remon of Panama, and Batista of Cuba.

A similar memorandum has been sent to the Secretary.

W. Park Armstrong, Jr.

1. A memorandum for Assistant Secretary Holland, dated Dec. 23, 1954, by Robert Amory, Jr., Deputy Director for Intelligence, Central Intelligence Agency, reads in part as follows: “The rumors [of an impending attempt to oust Costa Rican President Figueres] have been difficult to evaluate since their circulation appears a key weapon in the ‘war of nerves’ which the Nicaraguan and Venezuelan governments have been waging against Figueres since last July. In addition, many of them originate with the Costa Rican government itself, which may be exaggerating them in an attempt to impress the other American republics, especially the United States, with the seriousness of the situation in an effort to enlist their support.” (718.00/12–2354)