JOSE FIGUERES FERRER

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 02708508
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: March 8, 2023
• Document Release Date: October 18, 2019
• Case Number: F-2018-01413
• Publication Date: July 9, 1951

WO
r4
PC
79a
COUNTRY Costa Rica
SUBJECT
PLACE
ACQUIRED
DATE OF
INFO.
Approved for Release: 2019/07/15 CO2708508
CLASSIFICATION 4a,
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCY AGENCY
ONFORMATION REPORT
Jose Figueres Ferrere
REPORT NO.
CD NO.
DATE DISTR. 9 July 1951
NO. OF PAGES 3
Or-OF ENCLS.
D Balm
SUPPLEMENT TO
REPORT NO.
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THIS IS UNEVALUATED INFORMATION
a statement made by Gonzalo Segares� Public
oecuri y 0 ficial, to the effect that Costa Rica could expect to have
peace for another year, after which Jose Frigueres would take over the
aovernment� even if he were not elected.
six army officers had made a semi-clandestine visit to the house
of and had reportedly pledged their support to him in the
event anything should happen. It was thought that this action might be
indicative of trouble arising, and might have some connection with the
statement made by Segares.
Jose Figueres would certainly take measures to usurp
the executive poaer of Costa Rica if the elections went against him, and
that he was the type of man who would not need any pretext to do so. If
this should happen, the Costa Rican people would revolt
in another civil war. On the other hand,' ishould Figueres
win the election, Costa Rica would become a police state similar to
Nicaragua, and in two years the people would endeavor to throw out Figueres
and the result would be the same. it is common knowledge
that young Figuerista "hot heads" are claiming now that they do not need
the elections, but will take over at the end of President Ulatels term of
office.
Ath regard to the intention of Figueres to nationalize all foreign industries
in Costa Rica a to ic that has had so e a '
recently, at a (i)
b.,)\5!)x
dinner at which the heads of the United Fruit Company in Costa Rica (Campania (um
Bananera), an theEIe ric Bond and Share (National Power and Light Company)
were present. baited Figueres into discussing his plans for (b0(1)
hydroelectric development, and then asked if it might not be better to have M(3)
foreign capital and technical knowledge set this up, with certain guarantees
to Costa Rica. Figueres rose to the bait and denounced the idea in a very
indiscreet and outspoken eanner, and then turning to Ir. August Gehrels of
the light company, he said: "I can swallow ma riow..k Turning to the head
6 mmen is ereby regraded to
__Q_CILLEILL7, ln accordance with the
letter of 13 October 1F78 from the
to the
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.r,CR272
CENTRAL NTELLIGENCE AGENCY
-2-
of the United Fruit Company, Mr., 4alter Hamer, he a ft
little longer to swallow you, but I'll do it."
played this little comedy purposely to let these men see the
on the wall."
(b)(3)
(b)(1)
(b)(3)
dith reference to the financial status of Figueres, (b)(1)
President Otilio Clete had been told by the banks in San Jose that Figueres (b)(3)
had over-extended his credit. He has borrowed six million colones, or
al lost one eillion dollars, and the banks will not lend him any siore xmey.
The present financial situation of Figueres is analagous to his position
at the start of the 1.948 revolution; he was without funds then,
and the only way he was able to recoup his finances was by (b)(1)
dipping into the public treasury. It is imperative, therefore, that Figueres (b)(3)
obtain the Presidency.
was going to dedicate himself to obtaining the arms (b)(1)
since only a strong police force (b)(3)
would be able to dissuade Figueres from any rash act. If the United States
will sell the armament for cash only, would endeavor to (b)(1)
obtain the eioney from somewhere, even if it meant forcing the President to O*3)
call a secret session of dongress to approve the expenditure, or even to the
point of buying them elsewhere.
the question of the arms sale was being studied at
present by the Department of State
concerning negotiations the Ambassador
naa peen comucting with the United Fruit Company officials in Boston, with
regard to a loan of two hundred thousand dollars for oil for the Northern
Railway. It seemed that the loan had been refuaod by the company, and would
not be reconsidered unless the getter were submitted to and a proved by the
Costa Rican Congress. Failure to obtain this stoney,
meant that the Northern Railway would be in a serious financial situation.
intercede with the President in behalf of police officers ,
in the line of duty had been forced to use their vele, and who as a result
had received prison sentences. The Army officers complained that this was
breaking down the morale of the Guardia Civil, and weakening the respect
which the citizenry should have for the police. They co4lained also that
there were not enough pistols, and that the :_en had been obliged to boy
their own revolvers out of their meager salaries if ,
The men are col le
ls pi i lack of arms for the Guardia,
urther augmented the urgent necessity for erocuring the desired arms from
the United States
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AL
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"PET
CaTliAL IRTILIGNCE AGLNCY
9. In conclusion, in his mistaken idea of democracy,
President Ulate refused to counsel or guide Congress, feeling that it
would be Unde.locratic. Therefore, the members of Congress have no.
idea of the true danger which threatens the country, and could not be
approached coldly for an appropriation of a half-million collars for
arms.
1,aking half a dozen leaders on a tour of the armory
and garrisons, and letting them see for themselves that there are only
two hundred serviceable rifles in the government, and then call a secret
session of Congress at which President elate would be forced to "lay the
cards on the table." in this Anner, Congress would
approve the appropriation and the loney would not have to be obtained in
installments by padding the budget, as had been originally intended.
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