WEEKLY REVIEW

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0005300862
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: June 22, 2015
• Document Release Date: October 20, 2008
• Case Number: F-2008-01555
• Publication Date: September 10, 1971

APPROVED FOR RELEASED
DATE: 30-Sep-2008
DIRECTORATE OF
INTELLIGENCE
WEEKLY
]E
R
V
EW
I Up Secret
(b) (1)
(b) (3)
10 September 1971
PoPy N
550
 Uruguay: The Great Escape
The Tupamaros' spectacular mass prison break
on 6 September was a serious political setback for
the Pacheco government. The administration's reac-
tion has yet to suggest any new initiatives that
might begin? to restore the public's now badly
undermined confidence in the government.
A total of 111 prisoners, including 106 Tupa-
maros, tunneled their way to freedom in a charac-
teristically adept terrorist operation.
(stolen vehicles were used to transport t -e~esapees after the
nine hour operation was completed. Almost all of
the top leaders of the Tupamaros escaped; some
had been in prison for several years.
The government's inability to operate an effec-
tive detention system has been obvious for some
time. In March of 1970, 13 female Tupamaros were
freed. The transfer of responsibility for the prisons
from the lax Ministry of Culture to Interior has had
little practical effect. A Tupamaro tunneling effort
in January was washed out by rains;.a simple ruse
sufficed to free a.Tupamaro leader in July, and later
that month 37:female Tupamaros escaped.
The' -latest breakout left security forces in a
state of shock and dismay. I n contrast to the reac-
tion to earlier spectacular operations by the terror-
ists, few countermeasures were apparent after this
jailbreak. Main roads were not controlled, road-
blocks in the capital were not in evidence, and there
was little indication of any intensive search efforts.
The press has reported government arrests in the
wake of the escape, but the administration has not
claimed to have recaptured any of the escapees. The
resignations of the ministers of interior and defense,
and that of the director of prisons, have been of-
fered and at least the latter seems likely to be
accepted.
The government's public response has been
pro forma. Official communiques have re-empha-
sized the Pacheco administration's determination to
hold the general elections scheduled for 28 Novem-
ber, and reiterated its commitment to maintain
internal security. The measures set forth include a
more active role for the armed forces, the banning
of all but government approved political demonstra-
tions, and a warning to all citizens to carry identifi-
cation at all times. Most of these controls, however,
were being implemented prior to the escape.
'The latest government bungle comes just after
President Pacheco had announced his intention to
run for re-election via a constitutional amendment
permitting a second term. This episode all but
destroys his prospects for a successful bid
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