LATIN AMERICA TRENDS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79T00865A000900130001-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 19
• Document Creation Date: December 12, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 9, 2001
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: May 7, 1975
• Content Type: NOTES

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Secret
No Foreign Dissent
gul~~ Kau~
Latin American Trends
Secret
129
May 7, 1975
No. 0508/75
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No Foreign Dissem/No Dissem Abroad
Controlled Dissem
Warning Notice
Sensitive Intelligence Sources and Methods Involved
NATIONAL SECURITY INFORMATION
Unauthorized Disclosure Subject to Criminal Sanctions
Classified by 005827
Exempt from general declassification schedule
of E. 0. 11652, exemption category:
g 5B (1), (2), and (3)
Automatically declassified
on: Date Impossible to Determine
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This publication is prepared for regional specialists in the Washington com-
munity by the Western Hemisphere Division, Office of Current Intelligence,
with occasional contributions from other offices within the Directorate of
Intelligence. Comments and queries are welcome. They should be directed to
the authors of the individual articles.
May 7, 1975
Venezuelan-Jamaica: Oil and Bauxite
Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Ecuador: Reopening the Political
Prisoner Controversy . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Colombia: Labor Reformer Reelected
--With Reservations . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Cuba: Ambassador to Colombia . . . . . . . 4
Brazil: Vietnamese Refugees . . . . . . . . 6
Argentina: Increasing Censorship . . . . . . 7
Trinidad-Tobago: Strikes End -
Conference Begins . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Netherlands Antilles: Local
Election Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Cuban Chronology for April 1975 . . . . . . . 11
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Venezuelan-Jamaica: Oil and Bauxite Agreement
Caracas has agreed to supply part of Jamaica's
petroleum on credit terms similar to those already
granted Central America. The $100 million oil sub-
sidy will cover a declining volume of imports each
year for the next six years. About $26 million will
be available in 1975, equal to 10-15 percent of the
estimated value of oil imports. The credits will
finance the difference between $6.00 and the market
price of Venezuelan crude. The six-year notes will
be held by the Jamaican Central Bank and can be con-
verted to 25-year development loans at 8, percent
interest for projects approved by the Venezuelan
government. In addition, Venezuela agreed to sell
Jamaica its remaining oil imports under regular com-
mercial terms.
In keeping with President Perez' policy of sup-
porting other raw material producers and to gain ac-
cess to bauxite and alumina supplies for a large
aluminum complex Caracas is now developing, Venezuela
also reportedly agreed to purchase 400,000 tons of
bauxite annually for 3 years, 500,000 tons for the
following 7 years, and 200,000 tons of alumina for 10
years. Caracas also was offered 10 percent participa-
tion in a planned alumina plant in Jamaica, and Kingston
in turn was offered equivalent terms for a new aluminum
plant in Venezuela.
To implement the agreement with Jamaica, Caracas
reneged on earlier arrangements with Surinam for joint
exploration and refining of bauxite. Crude oil ship-
ments to Surinam on favorable credit terms are still
planned, however. Questions of continued political
stability after Surinam gains independence this year
and a surer bauxite supply from Jamaica seem primarily
responsible for President Perez' decision. (SECRET/
NO FOREIGN DISSEM/CONTROLLED DISSEM)
May 7, 1975
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Ecuador: Reopening the Political Prisoner Controversy
The military regime's hypersensitivity to opposi-
tion seems undiminished by its critics' new and in-
creasingly credible charges of government harassment.
In fact, the government has resorted to a little-used
tactic in exiling the national director of the Conserv-
ative Party, Julio Cesar Trujillo, to a remote military
post in the jungle. Trujillo was charged with holding
an unauthorized political meeting and writing a pamphlet
that allegedly slandered a cabinet minister.
Banishment to the jungle was a more common fate
for opponents of the government during the two years fol-
lowing its taking power in February 1972. For about a
year now, however, there have been no known political
prisoners. Socialist leader Gonzalo Oleas Zambrano, the
last political prisoner of importance prior to the cur-
rent spate of criticism, was released from jungle con-
finement in May 1974. His release resulted at least in
part from a strong public outcry against the denial of
due process and political imprisonment in general.
Although Trujillo lacks the following of Oleas,
the press is almost certain to make an issue of the case.
This in turn may tempt the government to intensify its
campaign against journalists, at least two of whom have
been arrested recently. At that point, editorialists
such as Julio Prado, who is writing from underground to
evade an arrest order, would surely reiterate their
charge of government harassment. This cycle is likely
to continue until the regime either tempers its reaction
or cracks down hard enough to silence public criticism.
(SECRET/NO FOREIGN DISSEM)
May 7, 1975
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Colombia: Labor Reformer Reelected--With Reservations
The unexpectedly discordant reelection of.Tulio
Cuevas as president of Colombia's largest labor con-
federation may foreshadow a slowing of the organiza-
tion's leftward drift.
Since he was first elected president of the Union
of Colombian Workers (UTC) in 1963, Cuevas has gradual-
ly liberalized the organization, guiding it away from
its traditional Roman Catholic ties and occasionally
allying it in the past with Communist labor groups.
Cuevas has always been careful to promote only programs
with great appeal to the rank-and-file, thus virtually
guaranteeing the grudging support of more conservative
UTC leaders. Over the years, his tactics, as well as
his programs, have increasingly antagonized the UTC
hierarchy, although his'popularity with the masses has
never diminished.
Cuevas' present reelection was by the narrowest
margin of his tenure, and the congress at which the
balloting took place was the most contentious in recent
memory. After the vote, the main opposition candidate
and the eight unions supporting him walked out, announc-
ing their intention not to participate in affairs of the
UTC except to try to reform it. This will strengthen
Cuevas' control of the organization, but his base will
be somewhat diluted, particularly if the dissidents form
a splinter confederation.
For the first time, Cuevas seems to recognize the
existence of a threat to his position and to the integ-
rity of the UTC. Prior to the election, he tried to work
out a single compromise slate of candidates incorpora-
ing as broad an ideological spectrum as possible. The
failure of that effort, combined with the apparent de-
fection of the dissidents, is likely to subdue Cuevas
in the future. He can be expected to show less progres-
sive zeal and more conciliation in formulating UTC
policy and particularly in dealing with the remainder of
the UTC leadership. (UNCLASSIFIED)
May 7, 1975
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Cuba-. Ambassador to Colombia
Fernando Ravelo Renedo, an experienced intel-
ligence officer, has been named Cuban ambassador to
Colombia.
Ravelo is the third Cuban with an intelligence
background to have been named recently to head an
embassy in Latin America; Jose Alfredo Garcia Bertran
was assigned to Panama following the resumption of re-
lations last August, and Norberto Hernandez Curbelo
was recently appointed ambassador to Venezuela. These
appointments underscore the influence of Manuel Pineiro
Losada, chief of the Party's American Department, in
the conduct of Cuban foreign policy. They also, under-
line the subordination to the party apparatus of the
office within the Ministry of Foreign Relations re-
sponsible for the Western Hemisphere.
The 37-year-old Ravelo's career in the Interior
Ministry's General Intelligence Directorate began in
1964. He subsequently worked as an assistant to
Pineiro in the Liberation Directorate--the institution
formerly responsible for Cuban subversion in Latin
America--where he helped oversee intelligence activi-
ties in Panama, Brazil, and Uruguay. In 1973 he was
given his first diplomatic post as minister counselor
and deputy chief of mission in Buenos Aires.
Despite Ravelo's background, Cuban embassy per-
sonnel in Colombia are likely to be circumspect in any
intelligence activities they undertake for several
reasons:
--Havana does not want to damage the recently re-
stored relations with Bogota.
--Colombian security forces are likely 'to keep
close tabs on the Cubans, particularly in view of local
concern over ongoing insurgent activities.
May 7, 1975
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--The Castro regime does not want to be detected
in adventures that could be trumpeted as evidence that
Cuba is still "exporting the revolution," especially
now that the process of Cuba's emergence from hemis-
phere isolation appears to be gaining momentum.
Nevertheless, clandestine contact with guerrilla
groups could take place, and the Cubans may even pro-
vide funds and technical assistance such as passports
and other documentation otherwise unavailable to the
guerrillas. A low-level effort will be made to estab-
lish a liaison with student, labor, and peasant groups.
(SECRET)
May 7, 1975
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Brazil: Vietnamese Refugees
The prospects for securing active Brazilian as-
sistance in the resettlement of large numbers of
Vietnamese refugees do not appear bright. The non-
committal response to Embassy approaches on this sub-
ject reflects a substantial lack of enthusiasm for
the idea.
Another, perhaps more significant indication
comes from an influential Rio de Janeiro newspaper,
which sometimes expresses official views. On May 2
the paper referred to a Foreign Ministry statement
pointing out the "lack of any political motive" for
Brazil to help solve a problem it did not create.
Indeed, Brasilia undoubtedly perceives strong
motives for not helping the US. For one thing, the
administration may well feel that to assist in any
way with the refugee problem could harm Brazil's
image in the Third World, by identifying Brasilia,
however remotely, with the war in Indochina. More-
over, the current situation provides a perfect op-
portunity for Brazil to make a conspicuous show of
its independence of the US, at little cost to its
relations with this country.
The practical problems of absorbing an influx
of aliens, ill prepared linguistically and in most
cases professionally, to make their own way in a new
environment, are, of course, very real. If and when
the government formally decides in the negative, it
is likely to point to such problems as the reason be-
hind the refusal. (CONFIDENTIAL)
May 7, 1975
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Argentina: Increasing Censorship
The Argentine government has started to ban the
circulation of books it deems "subversive." Accord-
ing to a respected Buenos Aires newspaper, the Office
of Communications recently prohibited the mailing of
several works, including the classic Cuba, Our America,
and the United States by Jose Marti. This move con-
stitutes an "about face" for the Peronist leaders, who
following their return to power in March 1973 lifted
all censorship restrictions on books and magazines
that had been in force under the preceding military
governments of Ongania, Levingston, and Lanusse.
At the same time right-wing terrorists, whose
activities are tacitly supported by Mrs. Peron, have
forced the suspension of the prestigious Panorama
magazine, a weekly publication similar in format to
Time and Newsweek. The suspension occurred when the
publishers, along with several other writers and artists,
left Argentina two weeks ago after receiving assassina-
tion threats. (CONFIDENTIAL)
May 7, 1975
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Trinidad-Tobago: Strikes End - Conference Begins
The strikes that had crippled the key petroleum
and sugar industries ended late last month with no
final resolution of the issues that caused them, but
it is clear that the government of Prime Minister
Eric Williams emerged on top in both cases. Instead
of the more than 100 percent wage increase that the
oil workers had demanded from the Texaco affiliate,
they eventually accepted the company's offer of a 25
percent interim increase plus a bonus of 6 percent of
1974 wages, with the other outstanding issues to be
settled by the labor courts. The sugar workers'dis-
pute, which involved issues such as legal recognition
of unions and profit-sharing, in addition to wages,
will also be dealt with by the courts, and the workers
have returned to their jobs.
Williams also used the oil workers' strike to
achieve his goal of securing public support for taking
over Texaco's distribution operations, and for obtaining
partial control of the company's 300,000-barrel-per-day
refinery--Texaco's major asset in Trinidad. According
to a high-level government official, Williams intends to
nationalize all of Texaco's holdings eventually.
Williams' antipathy to multinational corporations
in general was the major theme of his speech to the 16th
session of the UN Economic Commission for Latin America,
which opened in Port of Spain on May 6. As chairman of
the conference, Williams lost no time in launching his
attack and proposing the creation of a center to monitor
the activities of all multi-nationals in Latin America.
(SECRET/NO FOREIGN DISSEM/NO DISSEM ABROAD/CONTROLLED
DISSEM)
May 7, 1975
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Netherlands Antilles: Local Election Results
Unofficial returns from the elections on Curacao,
Aruba, and Bonaire on April 25 indicate no major sur-
prises (see April 23 Staff Notes) but may foreshadow
some significant policy changes for the three Dutch
dependencies. Approximately 85 percent of the reg-
istered voters cast ballots.
Curacao "Papa" Godett's leftist Workers Libera-
tion Front won a plurality that apparently gives it 8
of the 21 seats in the Curacao Island Council. Before
the election, Godett said that if his party won a
plurality but not a majority he would prefer to form
a governing coalition with the Democratic Party and
might even consider an alliance with the National
People's Party or the Social Democratic Party.
If he emerges with control of the council, Godett
will have the power to create considerable mischief
on Curacao and the other islands. He would be likely
to demand and get a minimum of two ministerial posts
in the Netherlands Antilles central government. Prime
Minister Evertsz would attempt to isolate Godett's men
but, as a minimum price for their participation in his
cabinet, he would have to accept some leftist policy
initiatives. If economic conditions do not improve be-
fore the next general elections in mid-1977, Godett's
socialist rhetoric and popular but. impractical schemes
could increase his appeal and catapult him into a
leadership role in the central government.
Aruba The People's Electoral Movement, apparently
winning 13 of the 21 seats in the Aruba Island Council,
has a clear mandate to press ahead with its demand that
Aruba cut its ties with the central government of the
Netherlands Antilles. Pressure from The Hague, conces-
sions from the central government, as well as internal
party differences may still prevent separation.
May 7, 1975
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Bonaire The incumbent Bonaire Patriotic Union
has apparently captured only 4 of the 9 seats in that
island's council, but it should be able to negotiate
an alliance enabling it to continue governing much as
it has. (SECRET/NO FOREIGN DISSEM/NO DISSEM ABROAD/
CONTROLLED DISSEM)
May 7, 1975
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Cuban Chronology For April 1975
April 1: Canadian delegation headed by Health
Minister Marc Laloude arrives in Havana.
Cuban National Bank Minister President
Raul Leon Torras arrives in Prague for
economic talks.
Kuwaiti Foreign Minister is quoted as
saying Castro will visit the Middle East
in the "near future."
Icelandic ambassador Haraldur Kroyer
presents credentials to President Dorticos.
April 2: Cuban Minister of Tourism Vivian Coll at-
tends first conference of Caribbean tour-
ism directors in Santo Domingo.
Fidel sends solidarity message to Portugal's
Goncalves via PCC Central Committee member
Jesus Montane Oropesa.
April 3: Cuba, GDR sign cultural, scientific coopera-
tion agreement.
Cuba announces appointment of Roberto Valdes
Munoz as ambassador to Laos.
Cuba's national poet Nicolas Guillen arrives
in Caracas at invitation of Venezuelan
writers.
April 4: Cuba, Canada sign public health cooperation
agreement.
May 7, 1975
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April 5: Officials of the Cuban Ministry of Mer-
chant Marine and Ports travel to Mexico
for discussions on the creation of the
proposed multinational shipping company
in the Caribbean.
April Prime Minister Forbes Burnham of Guyana
7-11: visits Cuba.
April 9: Cuban agrarian reform delegation arrives
in Guyana.
April 10: Official text of draft constitution pub-
lished in Granma following modification
and approval i principle" by Political
Bureau.
Delegation of radio and television admin-
istrators from Hungary arrives in Havana.
April 11: Delegation of Salvadoran deputies and
journalists arrives in Havana. Invited
by Cuban Institute for Friendship with
Peoples.
Exchange of ambassadors with Spain is an-
nounced. Cuban ambassador is Carlos E.
Alfaras, the current ambassador to Egypt.
April 12: Hungarian internal trade minister arrives
in Havana. Trade agreement with Hungary
.signed April 16.
Caracas' El Mundo reports that Fidel Castro
will visit Caracas in late May "after the
respective embassies are installed in Havana
and Caracas."
April 14: Cuba, Albania sign scientific, cultural,
educational cooperation protocol for 1975-
1976.
Cuba-Guyana joint communique released in
Havana.
May 7, 1975
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April 15: Cuban agricultural delegation arrives in
Jamaica headed by Jose Solona Pinera, vice
president of INRA.
Laura Allende arrives in Havana.
April Cuban cultural delegation headed by Deputy
15-25: Prime Minister Belarmino Castilla Mas ar-
rives in Mexico.
April 16: Political Bureau announces first party
congress to be held in December. Also an-
nounces makeup of Congress' Central Pre-
paratory Committee.
April 17: Yemeni public works minister heads dele-
gation arriving in Havana.
Cuba-USSR sign annual shipping protocol.
National Bank of Cuba and Foreign Bank of
Spain sign $900 million general finance
agreement.
April 18: Venezuelan Community Action Foundation
delegation headed by Sonia Perez arrives
in Havana.
April 19: Playa Giron Anniversary. No major address.
April 21: Zambian President Dr. Kenneth Kaunda pays
official visit to Cuba.
Cuban PCC Central Committee delegation
headed by Juan Marinello arrives in Moscow
to participate on selection committee for
Lenin Peace Prizes.
Hungarian Communist youth delegation ar-
rives in Havana.
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April Latin American Sugar Producers meet in
21-24: Dominican Republic. Cuban delegation
headed by Foreign Trade Vice Minister
Ricardo Cabrizas Ruiz.
April 21: Portuguese military delegation arrives
in Havana.
April 22: Multinational Shipping Pact signed in
Caracas.
April 23: Cuban National Ballet arrives in Caracas.
Bert Ramelson, heading delegation of Com-
munist Party of Britain, arrives in
Havana.
April 24: Portuguese Foreign Affairs Ministry re-
ports that Minister Ernesto Augusto de
Melo Antones will make an official visit
to Cuba.
USG approves issuance of export license
to Canadian firm for sale of $200,000
worth of office furniture to Cuba.
April 25: A Cuban CTC delegation arrives in Caracas
to attend 7th Congress of Confederation of
Workers of Venezuela as guests.
April 26: Cuban-Zambian joint communique signed in
Havana.
Cuba names Jose Lopez Sanchez ambassador
to Bangladesh.
Cuba and Mexico sign sugar production co-
operation agreement.
April 27: Cuban Minister of Justice Dr. Armando
Torres Santrayil arrives in Budapest on
official visit to Hungary.
May 7, 1975
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April 28 Wives of ambassadors stationed in Mexico
- May 5: City, and key Mexican women visit Cuba
at the invitation of the FMC.
April 28: Zambia Daily Mail carries report from
Havana stating that Foreign Minister
Vernon Mwaanga had delivered special mes-
sage to Castro from Secretary Kissinger.
April 29: Cuban and Soviet Academies of Science sign
cooperation agreement.
Discussion of draft constitution begins in
work centers.
April 30: Governments of Cuba and Colombia announce
Ramiro Andrade Teran will be Colombian
ambassador to Cuba; Fernando Ravelo Renedo
will represent Cuba in Bogota.
May 7, 1975
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Secret
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