LATIN AMERICA WEEKLY REVIEW

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06626236
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: March 9, 2023
• Document Release Date: January 23, 2020
• Case Number: F-2016-02132
• Publication Date: January 5, 1978

Approved for Release: 2020/01/22 C06626236
National
Foreign
Assessment
Center
�Secret_
Latin America
Weekly Review
5. January 1978
"Seetek,
RP LAWR 78-001
5 January 1978
Copy
Approved for Release: 2020/01/22 C06626236
Approved for Release: 2020/01/22 C06626236
Human Rights Developments
Argentina, the Dominican Republic, and Paraguay
released some political prisoners during the holidays.
In Buenos Aires, the government freed 389 persons and
announced that 3,607 persons are still being held under
executive detention. In Santo Domingo, President
Balaguer granted pardons to 60 persons--three of whom
are considered political prisoners. There is now spec-
ulation that a large-scale amnesty may be announced on
27 February, Independence Day, a date closer to the May
election. Paraguayan President Stroessner released some
former Communist Party members during the last week of
December, bringing the total releases last month to 35.
Meanwhile, El Salvador is preparing for next week's
visit of the Inter-American Human Rights Commission.
In neighboring Guatemala, the Guerrilla Army of
the Poor (EGP) claimed responsibility for the New Year's
Eve kidnaping of former Foreign Minister Herrera. Last
April, the EGP kidnaped the El Salvadorean Ambassador
during a meeting of the Inter-American Development Bank,
releasing him after an EGP communique was read. The
latest incident is only two months before presidential
and general elections in Guatemala, and some sources
believe that the government might consider imposing a
state of emergency.
22
1161"
5 January 1978
(b)(3)
(b)(3)
(b)(3)
Approved for Release: 2020/01/22 C06626236