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Target Lists
A weekly PBSUCCESS meeting at Headquarters on 9 March 1954 considered the elimination of 15-20 of Guatemala’s top leaders with “Trujillo’s trained pistoleros.” Those attending the meeting were DP Operations, along with State Department representatives . Addressing the group, while stating clearly that “such elimination was part of the plan and could be done,” objected to the proposal at that time. however, expressed the view that “‘knocking off’ the leaders might make it possible for the Army to take over.”[1]
Following this meeting, appears to be the Agency official who revived discussion of assassination as an option. On 25 March he broached the subject with who had just returned from the Organization of American States meeting in Caracas, Venezuela, that voted 17 to 1 to condemn communism in Guatemala. With and again present, asked if he had changed his thinking since the conference on the possible methods to get nd of the Arbenz government. replied that in his opinion “the elimination of those in high positions of the government would bring about its collapse.” He then qualified his statement, according to ’s memo, by saying that perhaps “even a smaller number, say 20, would be sufficient.”[2]
Less than a week later visited on 31 March. The records do not indicate why flew to ,[3] but on that date the officers were asked to draw up an up-dated target list. Criteria for inclusion on the disposal list required that individuals be (1) high government and organizational leaders “irrevocably implicated in Communist doctrine and policy,” (2) “out and out proven Communist leaders,” or (3) those few individuals in key government and military positions of tactical importance “whose removal for psychological, organizational or other reasons is mandatory for the success of military action.”[4]
The chief took the new list with him when he consulted Castillo Armas on 7 April 1954. also borrowed a copy of the list on the same day. The chief and Castillo Armas apparently discussed the list and at least tentatively agreed that any assassination would take place during the actual invasion of Guatemala by Castillo Armas’ forces. There was still no time date for the actual beginning of hostilities, however.[5]
Agency contacts with conservative Guatemalan exile leader at the same time also produced an assassination list. provided a CIA cutout with a list of Communist leaders he would like to see executed. saw as a loose cannon, however. They did not want him to become involved in PBSUCCESS.[6]
CIA received further Department of State encouragement for assassination plotting in April 1954. Fueling the fire for action, , in a meeting with and another CIA officer, concluded that “more drastic and definitive steps to overthrow the government [in
- ↑ See , memo for the record, “Weekly PBSUCCESS Meeting with ,” 9 March 1954, Box 154 (TS). Even before this meeting suggested that the top Guatemalan leadership needed to be assassinated during the first hours of the revolution. They had to be “pulled out by the roots.” If we waited argued, “if too many of these birds get out they will be back in about three years.” See Tape 17, Box 209 (S). See “Administrative Details,” 15 April 1954, Box 70 (S); memo for the record, “Meeting,” 2 March 1954, Box 70 (S).
- ↑ memo for the record, “Report of Mr. on OAS Conference,” 29 March 1954, Box 145 (TS).
- ↑ See, Chief, Economic Warfare, memo to All Staff Officers, “Selection of Individuals for Disposal by Junta Group,” 31 March 1954, Box 145 (S). We know visited on this date from the visitors log book. He signed into on 31 March. See Log Book for 31 March 1954, Box 138 (S).
- ↑ Memo, Box 145 (S).
- ↑ See memo and attachment notes on the memo which indicates that returned the list to the file on 1 June 1954, Box 145 (S).
- ↑ 1950. See memo to , “Summary of Operation,” 18 April 1954, Box 134 (S). See also Dispatch, to , “Assets in Guatemala,” 14 April 1954, Box 134 (S). An attachment notes that some assets are also on another list for “eradication.” (see attachment in Box 102). See also to 5 April 1954, Box 125 (S).
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