DISCUSSION OF COMMUNIST INFLUENCE IN GOVERNMENT

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00809A000500490243-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 6, 1999
• Sequence Number: 243
• Publication Date: May 6, 1954
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2001/09/11: CIA-RDP80-00809A000500490243-6
r?ulm nu. 51-40
DEC 19151
U.S. Officials Only
CONFIDi TIAL
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
INFORMATION' REPORT 25X1A
SUBJECT Discussion of Communist Influence in
Government
PLACE ACQUIRED
(BY SOURCE)
DATE ACQUIRED
(BY SOURCE)
tNI? ootur ANr ront.INS 1 N.n .N ...ACTING THE N.n...L Da.[N AE
01 THE IIN I TCD STATES. SI TN IN TNT MEANING Of TITLE IA. SECT 1013 7.3
AND TEA. Or TNT U.S. CODE. AS AAET000. ITS TA AN SNISSION 0. StAt?
LAtION Or ITS CONTENTS TO 00 AICIIPT .T AN ONAU T0O0II[0 PERSON IS
DATE DISTR. 6 May 54
NO. OF PAGES 2
NO. OF ENCLS.
SUPP. TO
REPOE. i NO.
1. The government of Guatemala is a coalition made up of four parties, of which
the Guatemala Labor Party (PGT) is the true Communist organization. Its
leaders are Gutierrez and Fortuny. Gutierrez also heads the Labor Confeder-
ation. I talked with individuals of various political beliefs, and all agree
that these two men are able, intelligent, and very hard working. There appears
to be no question of their personal honesty, whi?._? other members of the govern-
ment regime are involved in graft. This is or:e of the sources of their
strength and public esteem. Ramon Blanco, a newspaper editor opposed to the
regime, admits the honesty of these men and said that he had never heard any-
thing to the contrary about them. During the course of our stay in the
country we made several efforts to obtain interviews but were refused on each
occasion.
2. Although the Communists actually have the smallest party numerically, they
are the strongest politically and most influential upon President Arbenz'e
policy. Theirs is the only one of the four parties which is not comparatively
new. The other leaders have had little political organizational training.
3. Af- an early date Arbenz learned that the Communists were the only group that
could organize mass demonstrations, etc., which other parties were incapable
of doing. Arbenz himself, a military officer, had little political experience
and was baffled by the complexities of politics. He therefore has leaned
on the only people in his regime who have political knowledge. .Rhen Arbenz
was nominated for President, he did not know how to conduct his campaign.
Gutierrez became a self-appointed secretary, arranged the itinerary to the
best political advantage, and wrote speeches for the candidate. This position
gave him access to the President and opportunities to formulate his thinking.
4. Gutierrez, Fortiuw, and Senora de Arbenz are a trio which controls the
government. She euJoys reading Communist literature, which Gutierrez and
Fortuny encourage. While they influence her greatly, it is not believed that
she is actually a Communist, but more of a fellow traveler who influences the
President.
U.S. Officials only
rOT!*TT11E`NTT /I T.
_ SEE LAST PAGE f- c:; 1 !`
CT
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This report is for the use :? thin the USA of the Intelligence components of the Departments or
rfgencles indicated above. 11, is not to be transmitted overseas without the concurrence of the
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Approved For Release 2001/09/11: CIA-RDP80-00809A000500490243-6
 Approved For Release 2001/09/11: CIA-RDP80-00809A000500490243-6
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5. Leaders of other pasties seem tobe resting on their laurels after the proaiden-
tial election, while the Cosmaunist'j are hard at work and carefully disciplined.
They have m4 four asato in the legislature, but one of these is the presiding
officer, which post is like the U8 Rids Presidanrt. Ma Connuaiats are re=Al l
not to pls..-o their msmZorn in goverment' positions but endeavor to have their
people in the aGmtnistratton of the Land Rofora .'r ogram.
6. To nontrol tine President is to control the government, which for the present
the Communists do. There have boon reports that Arbon is upset by Comaraniet
Influence in him govorwmant, but he bar nowhere ro turn for the present. On
any subject of government policy the Communists are always ready with a
program, a bill, or n wall-organized argument which it is difficult to combat.
7. My"impression of the general viewpoint in Guatemala is that there is no deer
of an early Communist coup to seize the government. The Communists leaders are
intelligent and. believe that they would not be beat served by seizing power.
In that case Guatemala would be alone in Latin America, and the U8 probably
would .sot permit a "Czechoslovakia" in Ouacowalo. Such a mote would force
action against them which could not be resisted. The major danger in Guatemala
is simply the strong influence of the Communists upon the established govern.?
moot.
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LIBRARY SUBJECT & AREA CODES
114.565 . 35r
CO8FTMIUTAL/U8 0171CL L6 MY
Approved For Release 2001/09/11: CIA-RDP80-00809A000500490243-6