LATIN AMERICA- -DR EISENHOWER'S TRIP

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79R00890A001000010007-8
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: February 17, 2000
• Sequence Number: 7
• Publication Date: May 21, 1958
• Content Type: BRIEF

Approved For Release 2000/08/29 : CIA-RDP79R0089OA001000010007-8
NSC BRIEFING 21 May 1958
LATIN AMERICA--DR. EISENHOWER'S TRIP
1. Chance of embarrasing incidents, possibly accompanied by violence,
during Dr. Eisenhower's trip appears greatest in Panama and
Guatemala and exists to some extent in other four countries)
although there is now no evidence of definite plans for Communist
or nationalist inspired demonstrations.
II. In Panama, last stop on Dr Eisenhower's trip (he arrived 1 July
for 4 days or more), a mounting nationalist campaign for
increased control of and benefits from Canal is spurred by
deteriorating economic and political conditions.
A. On 19 May 1,500 students in Panama City demons#m ted against
poor educational facilities. In struggle with National Guard
(only armed force in Panama), onc&student was killed and
30 injured.
1. Overt support for students came from at least two labor
unions. Ex-President Arias almost certainly giving them
covert support in effort to oust Pres de la Guardia.
2. Thus far no anti-US overtones in disturbances, but in
his efforts against de in Guardia Arias may canalizo
student unrest against US.
3. Early this month students raised Panamanian flags i.i
Canal Zone to dramatize Panamian sovereignty claims.
4. President lacks strong support of his own and will find
it increasingly traacA to resist pressures for demand:
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5. National Guard, though best security force in countrio
to be visited, had difficulty controlling 19 May rioting.
III. In Guatemala, first stop on trip (15-19 June), main danger is
from Communists and pro-Communists skillfully exploiting stroi
nationalism.
A. Ydigoras,thus far weak and vacillating, has made little effort
control Communists who daily becoming bolder. He did tell
US Ambassador that he would soon take unspecified anti-
Communist measures.
B. Dr. Eisenhower's visit will immediately precede 24-26 June
anniversaries of past student revolutionary exploits--a period
often in the past used to justify excesses by Communist-
infiltrated student groups.
C. Ydigoras admitted that traditional student acts make last half
of June a sort of "Ides of March" for Guatemala and that
perhaps July would be better for the Eisenhower visit. however,
he said he still foresees no serious problems for visit
as scheduled.
D. Ambassador not so confident; believes trouble likely if present
trend continues and doubts (as does Ydigoras) that Guatetaslan
security forces can be relied upon.
Pro-Communist student newspaper has already implicitly
threatened Dr. Eisenhower with violence.
IV. In other four countries, threat of trouble appears less, but still
exists. Local security forces in all four are not considered
adequate for preventing serious disorders.
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 -Approved For Release 2000/08/29 : CIA-RDP79R0089OA001000010007-8
A. In El Salvador, Eisenhower visit already being bitterly
attacked by small but well-organized Communist group and
second-level foreign office officials have privately exprE sed
concern over possible demonstrations during visit.
B. In Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica, there are also
small Communist groups with a potential for causing troubbe.
Approved For Release 2000/08/29 : CIAO P-79R00890A001000010007-8