Office of the Historian

65. Telegram From the Secretary of State to the Embassy in Guatemala1

Washington, December 12, 1957—6:46 p.m.

307. Embtel 231.2 Department considers President Flores’ speech concerning ability and intent GOG control communism not convincing nor in accord with actions his Government so far. Rapid buildup PR with known communist support is most important factor in present grave political situation. Flores’ statements in speech and to Ambassador clearly indicate lack of understanding of communist threat and tactics and even raise question of his possible involvement with PR, Mendez Montenegro and leftist groups. This further heightened by presence his Cabinet known leftist Ministers Gobernacion, Education and Labor3 and by attitude with respect IRCA strike.

In view foregoing and evident increased strength PR (Embtel 2334), following is set forth for Embassy guidance. Department considers election of Mario Mendez Montenegro and PR would be most undesirable of possible eventualities now in prospect, and that this would prove in long run most harmful to Guatemala’s interests, US interests in Guatemala and US-Guatemalan relations.

… Mendez has been known as opponent of US companies in Guatemala and of GOG agreements with US companies. Department [Page 152] believes that troubles of US companies would multiply under regime headed by him, and believes this already indicated by PR backing of strike and intervening of IRCA.

Further, though present PR leaders profess anti-communism and are apparently considered too moderate by PGT and communist leadership it does have within its cadres a number of Arbenzistas who actively working behalf PR candidate. Fact is that no steps have been taken to purge PR of communists. PGT is known to be supporting PR, and to be making every effort to increase infiltration and influence among groups affiliated with PR, and to have plans replace many present PR leaders with persons sympathetic PGT. … Department believes that Mendez if elected could never succeed in maintaining for long position of anti-communist left which would be most vulnerable to repetition of left’s gradual domination by communism as under Arevalo and Arbenz.

Dulles
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 714.00/12–1257. Secret.↩
  2. In telegram 231 from Guatemala City, December 11, the Embassy reported on Flores’ radio address to the nation. (Ibid., 714.00/12–1157)↩
  3. Edmundo Quiñonez, Julio Bonilla, and Carlos Enrique Peralta, respectively.↩
  4. Not printed.↩