NOTES ABOUT GUATEMALA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP83-00423R000700090001-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 15
• Document Creation Date: November 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: November 13, 1998
• Sequence Number: 1
• Content Type: NOTES

POLITICAL PARZIS
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NOS /Wail' GUATIZ ALA
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Since 1944 Parties which call themselves Revolutionary were formed and
consist of the FRE"TE POPULAR LIBIMADOR--F.P.L.-- (POPULAR LI i:BAaING
FRONT); PARTIDO ACCION RWOLUCIONARIA--P.A.R.--(RE7i'LITTIONA.IY ACTION
PART() and RENOVACIOV NACIOIAL--R.'4.--(NATIOcAL RENOVATION)* - In tearly
all the important phases of the political life of the Country these
various Partids have worked closely together althougn each Party endeav-
ors to get the largest number cf key posts in the Government*
During the first years of President Arevalo's administration the maor
party was the F.P.L. - This is moderately left.
R. is more to the left and it closn't ar,unt to uuch; nearly all the
time it is allt-d with PLR, with TPlich Party there is r,yre affinity*
PAR in extremely leftist and the principal support of the Governr.ent--
it Is the majority Party and not only occupies the leading posts in
the Government but without any doubt whatsoever controls the Executive.
Among its leading heads are Lawyer Julio Estrada de la Hoz, President
z (?)
of Congress; Humberto Gonzales :urado; Lawyer Roberto Alvarado Fuentes,
eX President of Congress; Alfonso Solorzano, Manager of the Guatemala
Institute of Social Security; Eliseo Martinez Zelads, Alvaro Hugo
SA.goero, Publicity Secretary of the Presidency, and many others who
aro Congressmen and occupy other public posts. - The PAR controls
Congress and the Executive Power. Members of this Party have proven
their antiftimperialistic
Until lune of 1952 the.. Parties had acted in harmony with PARTIDO
INTEGRIDAD EACIONA1r*.4'.I.R.+00(PARTY OP NATIONAL INTEGRITY), a Party
of -moderate ideas which was formed to launch the?candidacy of Colonel
Alb Oben* and saapla to* Aaickis L'A.n ilipprtance.
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The representatives of those Parties, plus the communist Congressmen,(31
control Congress and it is by virtue of this that they have passed Laws
and Decrees virtually without discussion such as it happened in the case
of the Agrarian Reform, which despite the fact that it violates the
Constitution of the Republic in numerons rays was approved by the Congreet
men without any amendments beinp accepted.
In view of the fact that in December there will be Congressmen elec-
tions to change half of the Congress and that the Agrarian Lilly is already
in effect (NOTE: Elections were held in January, 1953 and the conservat-
ives lost 5 seats and now only hold 7) the Revolutionary Parties (MI
PAA, RN, PIN) and the Socialist Party decided to become unified and
this took place on July 3rd, 1952.
The fusion of the Parties became known by cancelling the inscription of
all the Parties and giving birth to the PARTIDO REVOLUCIONARIO G1ThTEMAL-
TECO....P.R.00..-(GUATEMALAN REVOLUTIONARY PARTY). This fusion only last-
ed from July 3rd to July 19th when the PAR withdrew from the PRO, al-
leging that the PRG was switching to the right.
The peculiar thing about this was that a few days before, in the Com.
moist paper sOCTUBREN (October) its General Manager Jose Manuel or.
twin had denouneed this deviation to the right on the part of the PRO
az & eomplained that its boargoise management would lead the Party
astray from the 'working masses,
Copy of ? paragraph published in PRESSA LIBRE (FREE PRESS) on July 23rds
*The PAR does not aceeptileftist manifestation unless it is strictly
marsist? The fact that PARIS decision took place after the General
Secretary of the Comuniet Party in Guatemala made an acrid and infludo
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WA analysis of the large and small bourgoise parties, gives reason to
believe that the Party system comes back under the influence of the ideas
expressed by Jose ranuel Fortuny, the tore so if one takes into considers.
tion that the arruments presented by some members to justify their with.
drawal are identical to those which were presented by Fortuny."
It seems obvious that the mnmbers of the Communist Party were influential
in breaking up this fusion because by so doing they will continue control.
ling the left wing and the assumption is, that just as in the past, the
candidates namod y PAR for Con7ress will Include the communists that
will be appointed.
At that moment the PAR and 1171 withdrew and they both inscribed them-
selves with the Civic Registry. - Remainirw with the PEG: the PCi, the
FPL and a portion of the PIN.
It is very well known that the Government is funO,ameutally in accord with
the PAR as well as that this Party contrails the workers asx1 therefore
is assured of a large majority.
The Communist Party operates without even being listed in the Civic
Registry. It maintains its publicity paper nOCTUBRE". ? Arnow the
leading heads are General Secretary Jose Manuel Fortuny, Victor Manual
Outierrese Congressman; Alfonso Solorsano, Manager of the Guatemala
Institute of Social Security; Ratsul Aguirre Cooke C4rios Manuel Pel?
limp, ex Diplomat; Lawyer Luis Cardoso& y Aragon, Alfredo Guerra Boriese
FT
Bernardo Alvar:do YonSon, etc.
Arilele 32 of the Constitution prohibits this Party and this was also
verified by the Law Bart nevertheless, in spite of innumerable petitions
to have this Party annulled the Government hasn't dons anything about
it. *
etirlPfrIt
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Orii; f?Po---? t,
Its members hold great influence but it is behind the stage. They die- '
tribute a great deal of propaganda in Spanish, edited in Voscow or in
Prague, and have control of the Confoderacion de Trabajadores de Guate*
male (Workers' Confederation of Guatenala.)
QPPOSITICM PARTI7S) They are nonexistent. ?or one reason or another
each and every one of the' have been ruled out* - As opposition one mirht
say that there is only the COMIre, CIVIC? ANTIC0,101:I5TA (Anti-Communist
Civic Committee)* They publish a newspaper namcd "EL A"TI COEUNISTA"
(The Anti-Communist)* They had a Radio prepram which was suppressed
by Government orders*
There in also in function the COVITE DE ,3TUD1ANT1-40 UNI/1:113IfARIOS ANTI-
COMUNISTAS (The Anti-Coomunist Contittee of College Students) which is
part of the Students of San Carlos University, but it in exceedinrly
difficult to have these rroup s work because they encounter innumerable
difficulties and are always accused of being menial servants of the
Yankee imperialism*
The great majority of people do not read?some because they do not know
how and others because of lack of interest--and consequently Radio la
a most powerful medium to reach them. . Private broadcasting Stations
are very much under offiolal control, while the Government Station..
RADIODIPUSORA NACIONAL TOW-.1eans to the left and it is from there
oberis programs emanate from the political groups and from the Workers'
Confederation, which always express anti.imperialistie 4A
gampit WEIVitlipiPATILIZE WITH SOVIET MONISTS*
The Cemiedereolen General do Trabajadores de Guatemala, under the leader
010 of Vieter Manuel Gutierrez, and when it came to the matter of. a
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solid uentral organization higher :leures appeared: Lombardo Toledano
and Louis Saillant;
The Alliance of the Ouateeala Democratic Youth, which sent delegates to
the Berlin Festival in kurust, 1951;
The Guatemala Feminine Alliance, which sent delegates to Berlin in 1951
and to the Infancy International Conference which ws held in Vienna
this year;
The Sakerti Group, which is composed of young writers an artists;
The Field Workers* Federation, run by Leonardo Castillo Flores;
The National Citizens' Committee NIC-PACE, which has sent delegates
to the various Pro-Peace conferences and have gathored thousands of
signatures. At one of the meettnr-s Pablo Nerlida was present.
In all of those organizations the same loaders appear and it is truly
lamentable that such a relatively small group can hold such large
influence upon the entire life of a Nation.
It was expected that yesterday (August 2nd, 1952) Professor gdelberto
Torres would return from Peking where he was invited by the organizers
of the Fro-Peace Congress. - In September there will be another meeting
Pro-Peami of Asia and the Pacific, to which Jose Alberto Cardoza and
Victor Alberto Leal will be present. Both of them are workers' leaders.
The Stronger groups, both by reason of membership as well as its splend-
id organization, is the CONFSDSRACION DE TRAI-UJADOREB DE GUATEVALA,
whieh is very well disciplined and it is known that the leaders have
been in constant touch with Lombardo Toledano in Vexico and with Saillant
in France. ..- Lately they have created a series of strikes which have
affected the economic situation*
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IFIDRITIA1
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SECURITY INF ON
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To all the Pro..Peace conferences sponsored by the Soviet Union there
are always delegates who attend from all the above mentioned groups and
this provides a direct method of being in communication with foreign
associations.
The delegates from the Guatemala Feminine Alliance who attended the
International Infancy Conference were detained in Havana June, 1952,
because they were bringing along Soviet propaganda.
In the -orldis Peace Congress?October, 1951?Luis Cardoza y ..tragon and
Roberto Alvarado Fudntes (at the time Chairman of Congress) word present.
Victor Manuel Gutierrez uent to East Berlin and Moscow in 1951.
The Agrarlan Departrent is already operating and by
new claims have been filed to have plantations aplit up. ?any of the
points in the Decree are misleading and can bo interpreted In many ways.
Furthermore the lack of preparation of our field workers, many of whom
do not even know* Spanish, poses tremendous obstacles to reach a practio-
al realisation of the Law, a Law which despite their limitations field
workers do not feel happy about*
As shown on the map of the Agrarian groups, the Executive, the COTO and
the Field Workers' Federation will have the absolute Agrarian control*
urr
US Orft AY
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From "Nuestro Diario" (OUT1 JOUVITAL) of Juno 28th, 1952,
REVOLUTIONARY CONGREM&i Cr;NDEYN TW hCT OF AGGfIE:JSION
WHICti KOREAN PEOFLE ARE SITI-7:11ITIG raw YANKE
GuateLnla, June 23rd, 1952.
"We, Democratic Deputies, tlemboro of Corlgress lf tt-t r)f Geate-
mala, being cons/trend of the righten2usnoss of tho struf:gle for Foace
which has reached the hParts of zillions 711:ia millioo of humn beincs
in evory country of the world, vish to =press, ipor. oecassion of
tht: seend a:miveroary of tile, inperialistie agressi(In into 1,orea,
perpotrated ri J7Ine 25th, 1950, our solidarity aid kind eelin-: to the
glorious and heroic Korean people ar'inst whop: hn.vo boli utilil?ed the
most infamous mans of mans externination, among which earl laa mention..
ed bacteriological .warfare on the part of the invaflers, who even after
resorting to tlwso tea tics have been unable to defeat. the spirit of
fight and resistance of a Country struvglin for its lii)rty and National
sovereignty."
Signed byt JULIOl.Y.STRADA DE LA UO2., ;ICTOR i7ANA,JO DE L6(7)
POiiRAS, ?RAUCISCO ?WIANDEZ FCrCEA, Ai O VUASCO, CtliAli 10T.12EGA0
PANIAGUA? nNACIO HUMTORT6 iW,AtTO ALVARWO F1.1110
OVALLE HERIUIRA, aolizmc CARFRA., JAL7L BARRIOS
ARCHILL, ALFeNSI) rORTUNY, JOSE LUIS OF. UON, J. ALT(; C;u1IDOZA, 1..2.13vIN
B. GARCIA, AL.ARIO ALFYJNSO LSIW,T, JOSE F. DARDON, YAINSTO UARROJ.:I3 VMS*
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LIST OF PROMINENT V:X.DERS OF THK PkRTY.
74.; /04 r 41 ,
Professor Victor Manuel Gutierrez, leader of the Confederacion General
de Trabajadores (C.G.T.), who is obeyed and venerated by workers.
Carlos Manuel Pelleoert leader of the C.G.T.
Alfon so Solorsanot Manager of the Guatemala Institute of Social Security.
Abel Cuenca, native of El Salvador, in tne lgoard of Direeters of tbe PAR.
Virginia Bravo Leteliert born in Chile. At present in Europe. Technical
advisor of the DepartnerA of Public Mucation.
Roberto Alvarado Fuentes, Ex President of Ccnrress.
Jose Pannell Fortunyt leader of the Comnuniat Party.
Ignacio Humberto Ortiz, Labor Congressman.
Manuel Pinto ()saga, - L4borite. - At present Consul Ln Mexico.
Bernardo Alvarado 7?741zon.
Carlos Alvarado Jere?. vanager of the National Broadcasting Station.
Alfre40 Guerra Dor es. 0. Nowspaperean workint in ")C7ULE".,
vwic-ir:
Marie Silva Jonama.
Natzul Aguir2'e4 Cook. - Strike leader.
Rafael de Pue41415qV'Spain.
Luis Cordes* 7 ilialon?
Weide ?emends:, born in Cuba. 4. Gunnan4
Edelberto Torres, in Peking*
Edelberto Torres, Jr*, Humberto Alvarado and Heyde? Gado', in Berlin.
Consuelo Peroyra de Vazquez*
Leonardo Castillo Flores* Runs the Confederation of Field Workers,
Max Salazar*
Joss Luis Ramos.
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A SPECIAL REPORT ON THE POLITICAL
SITUATION OF GUATEMALA AND ITS RE- Uaa
af.a,
LATION TO HEMISPHERIC SECURITY.
1'40
U. S. S. Prestige in Guatemala
Since the en of the war the prestige of the United States in
Guatemala has been declining. This is due to several factors. In
the first place, communism has been steadily gaininF, ground in Guate-
mala, not only in the government, but also in the labor movement. Com-
munism has taken hold In tHip peasant movement by moans of infiltration
of communist agents in the local agrarian committees. In the second
place, the United States las not been carefal enouLh in the fostering
of democracy according to the wesern pattern. The communists have
had wide-open fields to to e over the labor movement. Labor leaders
have received trailing _in aaascow, and the United ,..tates has Called to
use the inter-tmerican Ei:ear,ent in order to bring more people to the
United -;tates to he properly trained in the democratic processes. In
the third place, forces opposini;; communism feel that they have not
been fully equiped and instracted in the ways and means to fight com-
munism, and therefore they hare been only able to accomplish an amateur
job. In the fourth place, American arTicials have denied the existence
of communism in Guatemala. Inasmuch as the democratic opposition has
not beet able to produce tana;ible evidence of the existence of a Soviet
conseiracy, they have not even been hoard. It has not been until the
last ? twelve months that the American public has become aware of the
present danger of communist domination of Guatemala.
Ever since Ambassador Kyle went to. Guatemala, embassy officials
have explained the social moveent of Guatemala as Just a democratic a
movement tending slightly to the left, and slightly tainted with
nationalism. Embassy officials have staunchly dism!.ssed any charges
of communist Infiltration in the Guatemalan government. The attitude
assumed by the Americaa government in rega:T1 to communism in other
parts of the world has effect upon communists in Guatemala. Every
time the United States has failed to make a strong stand against com-
munism in other parts of the world, Guatemalan communists have gained
ground. Strong attitudes, like intervention in Korea, have been a de-
terrent to further advance of the Guatemalan communists. But as a
whole, they have been left along to the extent that at the present time
they control most of the key positions in the government.
Democratic forces in Guatemala feel disgruhtled about the fail-
ure of the United States to prevent the spread of communism in the wes-
tern hemisphere. They feel now that they would be better off now in
their democratic progress if they had only been left along without the
democratic propaganda poured into the country during the war. They
feel that Ubicols dictatorship was a deterrent to the spread of com-
munism, and that democratic progress would necessarily have been made
without the intervention of the extreme left. Although no one either
justifies, or wishes to return to, the type of dictatorship exercised
by Ubico, they feel the need of a strong covernment,which at the sme
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time prevents the growth of communism, aed prepares the coentry for
democratic progress in accorance with the U. type of demecracy.
Guatemalans also feel that the evils of Ubicots dictatorship have
been ercatly exaegerated, in view of the present existing conditions,
and that communists have a lot to do withthe propaganda campaign di-
rected apainst many Guatemalans who honestly supported Ubicots pro-
American policies during the war.
A Communist Beachhead
During the war it was feared that Guatemala could become a Nazi
beachhead, on accoent of tie presence ee gevera l hundred Ger-eans,
settld in the country as cof:ee-erowers. Ubico lent full cooperation
to the United states in averting Le-is lancer. But after the ar, a
more serieus (ondition has developed reearding the security of the hemi-
sphre. Extreme leftists have eaeen Geer strene positions in the Guate-
malan eovernment. The control 'he labor eovemeet, the social secur-
ity, the Ministry Jf Foreien Affairs, eee Ministry ef Economies, and
have beun infiltratine heavily in the reek ene le of the army. Com-
munist deputies have been sent 1:-) Coneress, dee to the fact teat the
opposition ha e not been eronerle oreaeized. Althoeeh aeti-comeuniste
have demonstrated that teeir nemeeical strenth is evelewhelmiee, moth-
in, competent "as been done to oreanizo them. Pereenal ambition has
been a deterrent to el organic and unified opposition, eveval upris-
ings have only resulted in the ?al1ng or expatriation of the ablest
anti-communist leaders. A few of the anti-cornmuniete have souieht to
obtain direct help f'rom abroad, in their efeerts to throw the commun-
ists out of the country; but the Yeajorty ef lee anti-communist lead-
ers look only for moral sepeort ad undeestaeeiee. T''f-,j feel that teie
efforts. have been obstructed be te_e presence et leftist eleeeets in
the foreign missions accredited varieus goveremenes to Guatemala.
Several times when the anti-comeunists tried to secure recognition for
new go-ernment, they found that word had been passed to he communist
government of Guatemala.
They have come to believe that the United tatee is not willing
to throw the communists rom Guatemala because te communists CeD not
represent a clear and present daneer or necause they :an he cielediy dis-
posed of in case of an armed conflict.
The fact that so many communists in high places in the Guate-
malan government are on such friendly terms with Russia, makes it clear
that under their leadership Guatemala will side with the Soviet in case
of an armed conflict. Guatemalats voting record in the United Nations
is a clear indication that the present government is to be considered
a member of the Soviet bloc.
Even if the Guatemalan government dares not openly side with
the communist countries, the presence of communists in high positions
will ena'ae to enemies of the United States to sabotage any efforts
made for protecting the Panama Canal. Furthermore, every Guatemalan
communist is a potential spy in the event of war. They have access
to diplomatic files, and are able to prevent the use of Guatemalan
labor in the building of military airfields, should the case arise*
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The destruction of any remnants of opposition may turti?ht to
be a very difficult nroblem in the event of war. If no democratic
opposition is allowed to survive under the communist domination, it
may become imperative to ocrupy the country and establish a military
government. Such a condition may in turn result in ill will on the
part of the mases of the people. Rco!l nationalistic pride will be
touched off and such ar occupso.,ioL will he resented not only by.
Guatemallrs but PIS') 1))1 people of the rest o: Central America.
The fruits of t1A Good Nei-jibor policy will oe lost, and if any under-
standing between the peooles ef Guatenala and the United States- is to
be reached, the work will hao,e to be d-ne all over again.
The Monroe Doctrine and Communist Intervention
For severl years it is appaeent that no one but the students
of' International law 1,as taken into considereuion the existence of
the MO-,roe Doctrine. To the oresent condition of Juatemala the Monroe
Doctrine 3 an adolicsle instrument. The Monroe Doctrine was intend-
ed to stop colonialism in the western hemisphere. Especially, it was
intended to prevent tnterventIon on the oarl, of t:e .ouropean powers In
American affairs, to stop co;npulsor collect!on of foreign debts, aod
undue privileges or foreign interests located south of the Rio Graude.
The tumultuous history of the Latin American eepublice cave
rise to the establishment and. consecutive acceptance of two different
doctrines rrgardin intervention. The Tl'ovar loctrIne was the first
doctrine of American solidarJty 1,ased upon the maintehaece 0 t emocra-
cy in the western h(mishere. It gave authority (moral) to the govern-
ments of the western world to intervene in the domestic affa3rs of any
American country in which democracy- was in dan6er, or where democracy
had ceased to exist. In other words, whenever an American repuolic would
fall under the fule of a tyrant, the neighboring nations would have
the right to intervene and to restore the democratic processes.
Development on the part of the United States of high-handed
methods towards Latin American republics; the existence of the so-called
"big stick" and "dollar diplomacies" gave rise to a tremendous current
of nationalism on the part of the Latin American republics. Latin
Americans thought that the United States was brandishing the Monroe
Doctrine only as an instrument of their own imperialism, and that such
a doctrine was no longer useful in dealing with the European powers.
The Estrada Doctrine came into being as a result of undue in-
tervention in domestic affairs of the Latin American republics, either
one upon another, or on the part of the United States. The Estrada
Doctrine forbids Intervention in domestic affairs of the nations of
this hemisphere. The principle involved in such a doctrine has been
embodied in the Good Neighbor policy. Most Latin Americanstrepublics
have been following It during the last 25 years. However, Guatemala,
under communist domination, has broken the principle of inter-American
solidarity several timiis during the so-called revolutionary regime,
et
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SECURITY INF I
In 1944, whlle the country was governed by the Military Junta that
preceded Arevalo, Guatemala gave aid to a group of revlutionaries, who
Invaded El Salvador. Guns of the Guatemalan Army were captured by the
Salvadorean Army and were exhibited in San Salvador's show windows.
Argvalo's government organized the Carribpean Legion and lent support
to the Costa Rican revolution of 1948. Guatemalan plane, loaded with
rifles aod aemunitien, were flowa to Costa Rica, to aid the rebels. A
large number ef officees of the Carribbean Legion were tai-.en to Costa
Rica in Guatemalan Army transport pla-es. Arev's gevernment also
organized the attempted revoletion aeainst Nicararua, and gave aid to
the Carribbean Legion and tie government-le-exile ea Arguelle. Guate-
mala, under Ar6va1o's administration, suppLied the money, the arms,
and tne air base, for the unsuccesefel a-te..aek on Luperon. The Guate-
malan government also had a lot to de with the Cayo Confites expedition.
The present presideet ef Guatemala, Jacob() i2trbenz, was Minister of De-
feese derinn tYe whole administration of Arevale, and here is no
doubt that he wes instrumental in Guatemala's intervention in the domes-
tic affairs of the Carribbean nations.
At the present time, communism is actively engaaed in the domi-
nation of the Cartibbean Sea. Communism is actively intervening in the
domestic affairs of Guatemala, and has completely seized control of
the country's domestic and foreign policies. Communism as an inter-
national weapon depends entirely on a European power. Through the
Cominform, Rus7ia is intervening in the affairs ef a Latin American
republic, ane has been constantly tryint-, to intervene in the domestic
and international problems of Latin America. The purpose of this in-
tervention is to estahlis: , first in-Guatemala, and later in other
countries of tleis hemisphere, a form of democracy entirely foreia,m to
the American tradition. Sociaelsm, aid not democracy, is the goal of
the communists, and by that, we mean that the'real purpose of the com-
menists is to secure for the imperialistic movement of Russia the com-
plete subservience of the peoples of the western werld, and the re-
sources therefrom.
In view of the danger, it is high time to consider a revision
of the international principles w:ich have guided American policy
towards the countries south of the Rio Grande, The Latin American
republics were born to democracy, inspired by the principles of the
Prence and American Revolutions. The upheavals which ha' occurred
in Latin America are not conclusive evidence that democracy as such
has failed there. Several Latin Americencountries have given an ex-
ample of good democratic government, and democracy has been proven ae-
suitable form of government for the best development of the Latin
American peoples.
Outright intervention is not contemplated, inasmuch as it may
prove to be a source of ill will and resentment, and IS far from be-
ing an instrument of hemispheric cooperation. However, the democrati
forces of Latin America may be sooner or later in the same position le
which are now the fortes opposing Arbenz and his communists in Guate-
mala. The problem now is to remove as soon as possible the clear and
present- danger existing in Guatemala, which is at the same time a
source of unrest and fear on the part of the nations of the Carribiloean.
The next problem in order of importance is to consolidate democracy by
means of an active policy of cooperation, by training the leaders to
whom may be later entrusted the responsibility of maintaining the demo-
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cratic system, and by giving the democratic forces the moans to
achieve social reforms well aheae of any plans propounded by the
extreme left or by the communists, Democratc leaders, of well-
known retponetbility and caeacity, traened and educated if possible in
the democratic way of living, should he compelled to carry out tee
social and economic reform which are needed, thereby preventina the
referm movements fr-m iete the hands or the comelunistso
Evidence of Communist Success
Anyone familiar with political eondltions now in Guatemala
knows that there is a large number of foreigners in high positions
inL he government. Communists by the dozens are on the novernment
payrolls, withoet any apparent specific jobs to do. They move
around the co,ntry, and the most important once are Spaniards wit)
form the communist brain-truet of tee government. Minor Spanish com-
munists have even -taken jobs !n. private concerns, and Lhere are at
least a dozen or so who hold jobs as traveline naleemen, in order to
move freely aro ,r,d the country. They are known to have been attend-
in e communist neeinns in towns and villa es Most () thee SnanAards
were carefully chosen by Munoz reany, former Minieter to France, and
an avowed communiet, anon ;e rank and file of the Loyalist Army.
The opposition papers receLtiy reprin,ea full pa nee of 'lam-
garian, Polish and Czech aapers, which nive an account of tne success
of the Cominform in (1uatemaia. It Is eirldeflee that the communists
have leerned a lot from their previous failures In other Latin Ameri-
can coentries, and the fact that tAey !lave succeeded in GuaLenala
shows that the...; .ave now a proven metkA)d ,)f conquest for seveva.i_ other
republics which are under similar circumetences. HavinE now a sUong-
hole in Guatemala, the task of conquering othe.l. co;ntries win be
a much easier one. . The communist success makes it cleer also that
public opinion in the western world cannot be only sentimental in re-
gard to the social and economic problems of that small country; it
has to become aware that the situaUon Is to be handled w]th a real-
ietic and direct approach. The people of Guatemala have demonstrated
that they are not communists, but rather that comeunism has been im-
posed upon them from above. The Guatemalan people do not have hard
-feeling against the United States, but rather, are pro-American. How-
ever, if communism continues its victorious path In Guatemala, tile
people will forget the very existence of democracy in America, and
anyone wishing to survive will have to bow unCer the communist yoke.
The Official Press.
The Guatemalan government's press is entirely subservient to
communism. They play the communist line all along. The war in Korea
as waged by the United Nations is labeled an imperialistic war; the
United States is branded as a war-monger; and any effort to maintain
the rule of law is considered reactionary. Democrats in Guatemala
who oppose the advance of communism are so labeled reactionaries and
slaves of imperialism. The official press follows strictly the line of
W.Trq5,1!
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"Octubre", whch is the official ori,-;an of -tie Comriuniet Party. ',.ev-
eral cope-runlet ,paniards hol jobs as either reporters r il'i0Jrs in tie:
official press.
Official hews.,)apermen are beiht-,, lavishly p,iid in ?neer to keep
them in line with the official pelicies of the E,overnment. The citors
of official eowseapere hale traeled t) Vienna ahd Moocew ih order to
attend Peace Congreeseeo The geeesral atti6dde,of tele ;ivatemalan official
press is one of antEwontsm towards Lne UTLited L,tatee ahd tie U:Lited Na-
tions. Lies and innuer0o are ronstanL4 printed, ItrEd the efficisl
ws-
papers are delivered free In evi.=r:i LEL let a:.d vil
The Cc.darts
Until now, a certain umou.nt ihdei,edence pi.,33.evc,t1 the court. court3. 1,Lst montli 4 ju..1863 )f tLLe ie .urt we -e
m4,sed ?y tho C,J.nres,3 liavi;LL aamitt-)
t,he at..yaran 1.ef,)rm, 1,1,a_13 tti. ont,,A;
of civil reL::t.so he ju3t;_cen t,iectL?(1 L; the Con,i.,
sul,oerv1en:3 tiTe t_e first
step taken by e court wae a r.eusal c eviaw
cases relae. to bac. H.sdosd
and reg9.7.d1c:7,s ,f LC pine ipLe 11,2olved, the decneini,
them.
Suvertil di2trict, judes iLavc? lecenti in Ic.ed
unOr comlinist ros
rents wlth the ,Thpreiie Curt, have 'ben SY%-13: 6. to
this Lrne thtY,, wa:3 a fair ehance of -egal peetect.en infrinEe-
ment of civil libie.etiee, but under .,,he preseeL
not have d.1 leL,u1 effective maures tc pl:vent the
their riOats. Any person, holding rural property, is 114)le to ,?;e1,
fined, with fines ranKirg up to $2,00-000, if he dares to ILle, legal -
action against the -.;overnment. At the present title the pee :ave been
left wIth no protector. 4hatsoever from the acti..)ns of t17_, au-
thoritics. Under the agrarian set-u., the civil code cnc.t be .dplied
or invokel for the protection of pti.sonai ri6hts, inas,nuel- as ee,..y-
thins Is related to the agrarian and political authorities, and the few
remaining democratic offials do not dare to issue injunctions or to
start criminal proceedings againot ahy official or aLthcrity, due to
fear of being fined, imprisoned cr dismissed.
The Orkianization of Central American States
Guatemala is a member Of the Organization of Central American
States, but has consistently evaded a meeting of the deneral Assembly.
The reason for Guatemala's reluctance to join her sister countriee in
dealing w4th their common problems lies in the fact t'ea.t El !4tleader
introduced in the agenda of the next meeting of the Aseembly a proeomili
to fight communism. Twice the Assembly has been called, and twice
also the Guatemalan government has prevented the meeting. Althoe.611
tie Assembly is to convene in May, many political observe: believe
that the Guatemalan goe.ernment will find a pretext for delaying in-
definitely the meeting?
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Guatemalan anti-communists feel that the Unit A ,i;tates is aware
of the problems related to communism, ha -e taken due
notice of the fact that President Eisenhower has statcd hit the United
States will f14nt communism everywhere. They feel That, part of
hemlspher- solidarity, t:le f,htnLainsr, communi:in iq qJ to .)el c9.r-
ried out in the ?estern wrld, and t:lat communism mu Lt L,c-fouht In
Guatemala innsmurh as the contr: Is ri ,ht in the bckyard of the
United L.tates and in the h.6-art of te wesGern world -id not qay-here
else? If Guatepialan arc ..ireve-ttLd from doing oy thcm-
selves what they tnini< is best for the co .ntry and for the western
world, resentment mai resuLt ln deso.,..tin to communism?
3/3/53
us c:
cd.,
,r,LY
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