PANAMANIAN POLITICAL MATTERS JUAN JOSE AREVALO

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP82-00457R009200450009-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: November 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 26, 1999
• Sequence Number: 9
• Publication Date: December 21, 1951
• Content Type: REPORT

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PLACL
ACQUIRED
DATE or
INFO,
Approved For Releaseatlit/i91/64ifidabOili2L4VR0092004#440-Vii NO
INFORMATION REPORT CDNG
Panamanian Political Letters
Juan Jose Arevalo
Prior to 24 October 1951.
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SUPPLEMENT TO
REPORT NO
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the Guatemalan Government is rendering financial
assistance to the Fartido Frente fatriotic (FFF) of Panama through Oscar
25X1X Benitez Bone, the Guatemalan :Anister to Panama. Llthoegh these charges
have never been substantiated, they were made public by Panamanian officials
in ray 1951. This resulted in numerous articles in support of Benitez in
periodicals, particularly on the part of the PFP.
2, Juan Jose Arevalo, ex-President of Guatemala,
was seen several times in Tanama City, after his arrival on 4 October 1951, ?
accompanied by Oscar Benitez Bone, Arevalo was entertained by Octavio
endez Pereira, Rector of the Panama National University, who held a party
for him. Among those eho attended the party were: Jorge Illueca, Carlos lvIn
?uniga, Ramon Jurado, and Ricardo J. Bermudez. The majority of Arevalots
associates during his recent visit were known PFF lea 'ers of the more radical
type. A review of information regardine the individuals reflects the
following:
Jorge tiptritu2Illueca Sibauste - Extremely nationalistic
Deputy to the Asamblea necional (legislative body) of
Fanamanian delegate at the nE3C0 Conference in Faris.
cally ambitious, a d in this connection has both ucei
local Communists
leader of the FFP
Panama. :41s recently
Politi-
and been used by
Carlos Ivan Zupira e, Leftist columniet and ecretary of the Ministry of edu-
cation. Active PFF member.
Ramon R. Jurado - Fellow-traveler. Prominent member of the PFF. in 1949 was
one of the Panamanian delegates to the Fro-Peace Congress held in :'exico
City. hecently anointed Director de la Direccion General de Culture y
Biblioteca in the ninistry of Education, which is headed by hicardo
Bermudez eentioned below.
Ricardo J. Bermudez - rrominent member of the PFP, Gmemenist sympathizer who
has been closely associated with Communist leaders in the Republic of Panama.
One of the foundin- members of the local Permanent Pro-Peace Committee,
Presently Panamanian i.nister of Education
1:1 A.Y?NIFICATION
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REFE
Document NO.
No Change ht Class.
ID Declassified
Class. Changrd To:
-Auth.: Ant-
Date:
424
TS $ C
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DO NOT CifictjLATE
Approved For Release 1999/09/09 : CIA-RDP82-00457R00920045000 -
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Approved For Release 1999/09/09 : CIA-RDP82-00457R009200450009-6
CONFIDENTIAL
SECURITY INFORMATION
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
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Octavio Mendez Pereira - Formerly the Director of the Regional Center of
UNESCO in the Western Hemisphere. Recently re-elected Rector of the Univer-
sity of Panama. He is anti-U.S. and a suspected Communist sympathizer.
Di_begiLlesDel...41.k...sa- One time 1ea-4er of the Socialist Party and closely
a:sociated with the local Communist Party. He is presently serving as an
25x0vi30r to the President of the Republic of Panama.
Arevalo? while in Panama, held a three-hour conference
with Diogenes De La Rosa. Arevalo remained incognito during his stay be-
cause he was reportedly in Arsentina during the abortive revolt and did not
want the students of Panama asking him questions concerning the Argentine
situation.
4. Arevalo departed for Guatemala on 9 October 1951 via Guatemalan military
aircraft from Tocumen National Airport*
CONFIDENTIAL
Approved For Release 1999/09/09 : CIA-RDP82-00457R009200450009-6