GUATEMALA REACTS TO ASSASSINATION OF US AMBASSADOR

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06589084
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2022
• Document Release Date: April 16, 2018
• Case Number: F-2016-01655
• Publication Date: August 30, 1968

Approved for Release: 2018/04/10 C06589084
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DIRECTORATE OF
INTELLIGENCE
*id
S`eciet,
WEEKLY SUMMARY
45.
30 August 1968
No. 0035/68
Approved for Release: 2018/04/10 C06589084
Approved for Release: 2018/04/10 C06589084
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SE
GUATEMALA REACTS TO ASSASSINATION OF US AMBASSADOR
A state of siege has been
imposed in Guatemala following
the assassination of US Ambas-
sador John Gordon Mein on 28 Au-
gust. The ambassador probably
was killed by the Communist Rebel
Armed Forces (FAR). The country's
borders have been sealed and
security forces are conducting
a house-to-house search for the
assassins. A round-up of known
Communists and leftist extremists
is under way in the capital.
President Mendez has ordered full
and complete cooperation with the
US on any measure concerning the
assassination.
The murder occurred as the
ambassador was returning to his
office after hosting a luncheon
at his residence for US and Guate-
malan officials. The assassins
were attempting to kidnap him--
probably as a hostage for the
release of FAR leader Carlos
Francisco Ordonez, who was ar-
rested in Guatemala City on 24
August--but killed him instead
as he attempted to evade capture.
A policeman guarding the nearby
Belgian Embassy tried to stop the
terrorists but he was wounded.
During the past year, Guate-
malan security forces have been
successful in keeping the terror-
ists in the rural areas on the
run. Reports indicate, however,
that the guerrillas are again
becoming active in northeastern
Guatemala. The FAR has been rela-
tively quiet for the past few
months, using the time for re-
cruiting, training, and rebuild-
ing its seriously damaged supply
network before resuming large-
scale guerrilla activity. It
has continued, however, to retain
the capability for selected hit-
and-run terrorist actions, par-
ticularly in the large urban
centers.
Page 30 WEEKLY SUMMARY
30 Aug 68
Approved for Release: 2018/04/10 C06589084