56. Editorial Note
President Castillo Armas was assassinated in Guatemala City on July 26, 1957. In telegram 20 from Guatemala City, July 27, Ambassador Sparks reported that the motive for the assassination was not known and that there was no evidence of a coordinated insurrection against the Castillo government. The telegram further stated that Foreign Minister Klée informed Sparks that Luis Arturo Gonzalez Lopez, First Presidential Designate, would assume that office immediately. (Department of State, Central Files, 714.11/7–2757) In a memorandum to Acting Secretary of State Herter, July 29, President Eisenhower wrote in part:
“I assume that there is no question of ‘recognition’ involved in the succession of President Gonzales Lopez in the Presidency of Guatemala. This seems to be a succession that follows constitutional form so I suppose nothing is necessary. However, I do think it would be advisable to get together an early message from me to him which might emphasize the satisfaction we had in the friendship of his predecessor and the hope that the same type of feeling and the same type of government policies would continue.” (Eisenhower Library, Whitman File, DDE Diary)
In a memorandum to Herter, July 30, Rubottom stated that the President was correct in his understanding that Gonzalez Lopez’ succession to the presidency of Guatemala followed constitutional form. Rubottom recommended that Herter forward to the President the suggested text of a message to Acting President Gonzalez Lopez. Under cover of a memorandum dated July 30, Herter forwarded to President Eisenhower the text of the following message to Gonzalez Lopez: “As Your Excellency begins the duties of your high office, I send you best personal wishes for the success of your administration and the well-being of your people. My friendship with your late predecessor was a source of great satisfaction to me, and I look [Page 143] forward to the same cordial relations with you. Dwight D. Eisenhower.”
A report to the President, dated July 31, by Major John S.D. Eisenhower on the funeral of President Castillo Armas on July 30, is ibid., International File.