Foreign Relations of the United States, 1955–1957, American Republics: Central and South America, Volume VII

46. Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs (Holland) to the Secretary of State¹

Washington, June 29, 1956.

SUBJECT

• Situation in Guatemala

The following information, based primarily on a series of telegrams from Ambassador Sparks, is intended to supplement my memorandum of June 26 and to bring you up to date on the Guatemalan situation.

Since the events of June 25, in which 5 students and one policeman were killed and a number on both sides wounded, the situation has been relatively quiet, with President Castillo Armas and the army in control. Castillo has assured Ambassador Sparks that the Guatemalan armed forces concurred fully in the cabinet decision to meet force with force. The President’s position vis-à-vis the army, political leaders and conservative groups appears to have been enhanced at the expense, however, of his prestige with middle class and labor elements. Although the students, led by communist agitators, acted illegally, the fact remains a number were killed, and in the Ambassador’s estimation this will not be forgotten and may well lead to repercussions which could seriously undermine the Castillo regime’s stability.

On June 28 the Ambassador expressed to Castillo serious concern and apprehension over developments.² He stressed to him the importance of publicizing, with supporting evidence, the events as part of a communist plot, and a USIA instruction along these lines has already been sent to our Latin American missions. The student organization in Guatemala City has issued a manifesto recommending peaceful solution of the situation but lamenting the Government’s police action and ensuing casualties without condemning participation of agitators. The Government had hoped this manifesto would be worded in such a way to help a reconciliation between the Government and the students, but its tone and lack of condemnation of the agitators appears to have made eventual reconciliation more difficult. Meanwhile, some demonstrators have been exiled, and more than one hundred are still being detained in Guatemala.

President Castillo now appears committed to a policy of stronger action against opposition elements, in contrast to his former moderate position to which the Ambassador considers it will be most difficult for him to return. His communist and other enemies may be expected to take full advantage of this situation to the probable detriment of his prestige with the Guatemalan people.

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 714.00/6–2956. Secret. A handwritten notation on the source text indicates that the Under Secretary saw this memorandum.
2. In telegram 370 from Guatemala City, June 28, Sparks reported on his conversation that day with President Castillo. The telegram reads in part: “President commented Army was completely in accord with and supporting his policy of firmness and he had received thousands of telegrams of adherence.” (Ibid., 714.00/6–2856)