MILITARY JUNTA IN ECUADOR

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79T00429A001200010018-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: March 22, 2006
• Sequence Number: 18
• Publication Date: July 15, 1963
• Content Type: IM

Approved For Releas 07/03/06 :SS. q 7O0429A001209 20W001
OCI No.. 2291/63
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
Office of Current Intelligence
15 July 1963
CURRENT INTELLIGENCE MEMORANDUM
SUBJECT: Military Junta in Ecuador
1. A military junta took over the government of
Ecuador in a near-bloodless coup on 11 July. President
Arosemena and Vice President Varea were both exiled.
3. Among the first moves of the junta was the issu-
ance of a proclamation outlawing the Communist Party of
Ecuador (PCE). Orders were issued for the arrest of PCE
Secretary General Pedro Saad and other high-ranking Com-
munists. A raid on PCE headquarters netted several
rank-and-file Communists, the PCE files and financial
records, and two truckloads of propaganda. Saad and
other PCE leaders had fled into hide-outs previously
prepared. The junta also ordered the detention of all
known terrorists and extremists. About 150 persons
were rounded up, some of whom have already been sent to
prison farms in the trans-Andean eastern provinces.
4. In a note delivered to the US Embassy on 14 July,
the junta committed itself to comply with Ecuador's inter-
national treaty obligations and its obligations as a
member of the Organization of American States and the
United Nations. US Ambassador Bernbaum notes that the
junta has met the normal requirements for recognition
and has promised a return to elective constitutional
government as soon as possible, in line with previous
verbal assurances to the ambassador that civilian govern-
ment would be restored in about one year. The ambassador
comments, "I believe a return to constitutional govern-
ment within a reasonable period is their sincere desire."
The junta has also committed itself to unspecified measures
of domestic reform.
State Dept. review completed
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5. Reactions to the junta range from enthusiastic
support on the part of parties of the right and center
to guarded tolerance by the moderate left. Most of the
public is relieved by the easing of tension and by the
ending of the uncertainty that had long existed. Busi-
ness groups and the press strongly support the junta.
A potential threat exists, however, from the Communists
and other leftist extremists, who realize that the junta
will take repressive measures against them even without
provocation.
?. The extreme left probably will attempt to
initiate a series of terrorist acts, after a short
period of hiding, and may try to implement plans for
guerrilla activities they have been preparing for two
years. The armed forces and the police are capable of con-
tainingand eventually destroying guerrilla units, but
will be hard. put to eliminate terrorism altogether so
long as terrorists are at large.
7. International reaction has been moderate so
far. Cuban and Soviet propaganda broadcasts have de-
nounced the junta. On 12 July, the Venezuelan Foreign
Ministry formally suspended diplomatic relations with
Ecuador, stating that the move was in keeping with the
national policy of withholding recognition of any mili-?
tary government. Several Latin American countries
indicate they will recognize the government if the junta
meets the normal qualifications.
8. This paper has been, coordinated with ARA and.
INR in the Department of State, and with DDP/WH,.'
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