POSSIBLE COSTA RICA COUP

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80R01443R000200360014-7
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 8, 1998
• Sequence Number: 14
• Publication Date: July 14, 1954
• Content Type: BRIEF

Approved For Release R01443R000200360014-7
NSC BRIEFING 14 July 1954
POSSIBLE COSTA RICA COUP
I. Venezuela most determined of Caribbean
rightists-seeking overthrow Figueres
by supporting ostensibly Costa Rican
coup group.
A. Venezuelan president Perez, se-
curity chief Estrada reportedly
plotting with Nicaragua, Panama,
Dominicans, Cuba, Honduras.
B. On 22 June, Venezuelan plane
dropped leaflets over Costa Rican
capital.
C. Venezuela still determined oust
Figueres. On 9 July, security
chief "hoped" for attack; said he
would not inform US should he
know.
II. Panama involved: President Remon dis-
likes, distrusts Figueres. Panama,
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Venezuela very close.
A. Venezuela sent free shipment arms,
military mission to Panama. Arms
reportedly taken to Costa Rican
border.
III. Nicaragua also threat: President Somoza
bitterly hates Figueres--would per-
sonally kill him if could.
A. Relations close to break since
April when assassins from Costa
Rica tried kill Somoza.
IV. New Guatemalan chief of state, Castillo
Armas, denies any pledge to assist anti-
Figueres coup, but implies that he is
sympathetic with anti-Figueres forces.
V..Costa Rican people expected defend
government against any attack now likely,
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but nation lacks defense. Only armed
force is 1400-man Civil Guard, organ-
ized as police. Cannot even patrol
borders. has only small arms, few AA
guns, no planes.
A. Due urgent Costa Rican appeals,
US shipping few small arms: to
arrive 14 July.
VI. Hemisphere reactions if Figueres over-
thrown strongly adverse to US interests.
A. Costa Rica widely regarded as
liberal democratic country.
B. Due even friendly Latin regimes'
conviction US backed Guatemalan
coup US would be held responsible
Figueres' overthrow.
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