Foreign Relations of the United States, 1958–1960, American Republics, Volume V

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

Washington, February 20, 1958.

SUBJECT

• Departmental Policy on Possible Visa Application of Juan D. Perón

Discussion.

On February 19, 1958, Roberto Galan, secretary to Juan Perón, approached our Embassy in Ciudad Trujillo to state that Perón intended to apply for a temporary visa to stay in the United States from March 1 to April 1 before proceeding to Europe. Visas would also be requested for Galan, his wife, and Maria Estela Martinez, reportedly Perón’s mistress. Galan requested that no publicity be given to these visa applications and said that Perón would like to know by February 24 whether the visas can be issued. (Argentine elections are to be held February 23.)

It is the intention of the Department to keep Perón out of the United States [less than 1 line of source text not declassified]. While residing both in Caracas and Ciudad Trujillo, Perón has continued to plot against the present Argentine Government. Presumably he would do so if allowed to enter the United States. These activities would be the basis of our rejection of a visa should Perón persist in his efforts. His presence here would definitely be damaging to our relations with Argentina. We have been answering press queries regarding Perón’s alleged application with the statement that no application has been made. We assume and hope that no application will be made by Perón after he receives the discouraging reply which Ambassador Farland has been instructed to make.

Recommendation.

If queried, I recommend that the Department state that it has no knowledge of a visa application made by Perón.²

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 735.00/2–2058. Confidential. Drafted by Paul F. Canney, Office of South American Affairs. A notation on the source text indicates that the Secretary saw it. There is no indication on the source text of Dulles’ action regarding the recommendation.
2. On February 20, the Department informed the Embassy in Ciudad Trujillo that circumstances made it impossible to justify admitting Perón to the United States even if he was willing to issue a statement that he would not engage in political activities. The Department added that it hoped to discourage visa applications. (Telegram 417 to Ciudad Trujillo, February 20; ibid., 735.00/2–1958)