LEADING FIGURES IN COSTA RICAN JUNTA

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 03167382
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: March 8, 2023
• Document Release Date: October 18, 2019
• Case Number: F-2018-01413
• Publication Date: July 19, 1948

LA-PtbiApproved for Release: 2019/07/15 C03167382
CENTRAL INT
INFO
COUNTRY costa Ric;a
SUBJECT Leading Figures in Costa Rican Junta
PLACE
QuiRED
DATE �F 7"�'
r AGENCY ii:PORT
elkilbtati
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DATE DISTR. 19 jay 1948
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SOURCE
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This document is hereby regraded to
THIS IS UNEVAIR9Alls' NIIIATMAnti:MmfittliftiC
USE C)F[3I 40191:4 3dtr-1-01-q PO 11
Archivist of the l2r.:!.,:d Cta:os.
Next Review Dab: 2CZ-3
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1. Fernando Valverde Vega (banister 02 Interior) is a buoinessman, pstrt carner
of the Lil?reria Espanola and brother or thy 'Len. Dr. Carlos Luis Valvcrde
Vega, a hero of the revolution. A'; one time Valverde and hie brother Carlos
Luis gladly did printing work for Vanguardia Popular (VP), but on ti .e VP
took their printing contract elsewhere, the Valverde brothers became Utter
enemies of the Party and especially of Carlos Luis Falias, Tomer VP coputy
who apparently wac responsible for the break in relations.
2. Alberto Yaoten Chavarria (Minister of EC01307.By,, Treasury and Commerce) is a
bright but erratic student of economics who leans strongly toward_ some. brand
of French Socialism. Marten is extremely nationalistic, very
and eager to rid Costa Rica of American-controlled business if this i.
financially possible. Marten wields a great influence in the ficueres
Ccrrernment, probably because of the oronimity of his and Figuereo' BOCial
views.
3. Professor T.'iladialao Camas Solana (!inister of Education) is the mild orofessorial
type, it sincere man who, lima formerly'head of the Workers' School Horedia and
who cooperated closely- with the Renni lioatrum.
4. Licentiate Benjamin Odio Odio (Minister of Foreign Affairs) is the pen son
who became'. the target of the Calderonistas after the defeat of Dr. C.:al.deron.
Odio had been in charge of the Electoral Register, which aocording to
Dr. Calderon was controlled in such a manner as to bring about Ulate't
electoral triumph fraudulently. Odio fought with Figueroa' forma in the
revolution is eomething of a myetic, and a man with no exotara
ound for his present assignment.
Odic and his wife have made reservatio
one on 13 July 1948 for New Orleans.
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Odio may have played on both sides during his period as chief of the
Electoral Register and may soon be replaced in the Cabinet. It is doobteai
that 0db id cooperate with Dr. Calderon, but there may be other reaoone
for his poasible removal from Figueroa' Cabinet. Odio has been r.rin1ing hviy,
and it is Iran*, TA0veres alualk
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WARNING NOT CE::
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CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
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5. Francisco Jose Crlich Holmarich (Minister of Public Works) is of Yugoslav
antecedents, openly fought the licado Government, took part in terroristic
campaigns, fought with Figueroa' forces, and owes his position to his
long-time:oppositiqn to the Dr. Calderon-Ricado regimes.
6. .1adre Benjamin Nunez Vargas (Minister of Labor and Social 4elfare) was
formerly president of the Rerum Novarum, Catholic-sponsored labor oeganization.
Nunez is sincerely devoted to the betterment of labor and believes this can
be achieved 'without the help of Communism. Nunez, like others of the Junta
Cabinet, may nevertheless be politically fixed as slightly left of center.
He is in actuality too young and inexperienced for his present aseignnent,
but may compensate by dogged persistence. He also fought with the farces
of 4gueres.
7. Gonzalo Facie Segreda (Minister of Justice and Pardon) is a pleasant young
man whose political sentiments are hard to define at the moment. He is too
young and inexperienced for his present position.
8. Edgar Cardona Cooper (Minister of Public Security) played an active part in
terroristic campaigns against the government of Head�, drinks heavily,- is
quarrelsome. and is considered the least likely Cabinet member to succeed0 omi)
temptations of his present office will be too much for )bk3)
him and that he may be the first of this group sto begin the well known LatiA
pay-off system. He also fought on Figuered side.
9, Renato Deleore Alvarado is :iilitary Attache to the Costa Rican Embassy in
Washington. Delcore is of Italian extraction and is the son of Rafael
Lelcore, whose business reputation is extremely shady. The father was placed
on the first U.. S. Froclaimed List on 17 J 1 1941 ted his
father in his business. LarIo (b)(1)
Esquivel, new Ambassador to Washington, upon receiving word of Delcore's (b)(3)
assignment to the Costa Rican Embassy, contacted Figueres to express his dis-
apt-I-oval of the appointment and to add that hereafter he would appreciate bong
advised before any new person was assigned his Embassy*
10. Guillermo Von Breymann Figueroa is a major in the Costa Rican Army with
title of Inspector General of Arms. Von Breymann was one of Costa Rica's
most vociferous and dangerous Nazis, whe because of his activities was finally
detained, deported to the United States, and held in a steentieA azsap
Von Breymann is a competent ordnance man and previous to the war was ehe
Mauser representative and salesman in Central America.
Approved for for Release: 2019/07/15 C03167382