COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES AMONG THE BANANA WORKERS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00810A002700700002-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 18, 2001
• Sequence Number: 2
• Publication Date: November 5, 1953
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2001/11/21 : CIA-RDP80-0081OA002700700002-3
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
INFORMATION REPORT
IECURIn R WIAL
COUNTRY
SUBJECT
25X1A
:Costa Rica
Communist Activities among the Banana
Workers
This Document contains information affecting the Na-
tional Defense of the United States, within the mean-
ing of. Title 18, Sections 793 and 794, of the U.B. Code, as
amended. Its transmission or revelation of its contents
to or receipt by an unauthorised person is prohibited
by law. The reproduction of this form is prohibited.
25X1A
REPORT NO. NEW
DATE DISTR.
NO. OF PAGES
REQUIREMENT NO. RD
REFERENCES
5 November 1953
25X1A
25X1X 1. the Sindicato de Trabajadores de la Industria del Banano y Similares (STIRS), the
Communist-dominated banana workers' labor union at Quepos, Costa Rica,, is still
disorganized,.although informal meetings of its leaders have occasionally taken
place at the union hall. The reorganization of the directorate is expected to
be effected soon. Antonio ZARATE, a full-time labor organizer, has taken over
the tasks formerly handled by Isaias MARCHENA since the latter went to Puerto
Cortes, Costa Rica. These tasks usually include complaints and other labor
matters presented before the local council.
2. Meetings limited to active members of the Communist Party have been taking place
at various times in the home of Victor MORA Calderon. MORA recently sold his
business in Quepos and now travels about the banana plantations doing organizing
work. MORA's wife, Margarita Blak de MORA, described as an enthusiastic Party
adherent, makes biweekly trips to San Jose, alternately with her husband,
presumably on Party business.
3. The Costa Rican Communists have taken encouragement froltLthe anti-United Fruit
Company attitude on the incoming FIGUE1ES administration and feel that this will
definitely aid them in their efforts to organize labor in the banana zones.
Company officials are alleged to have dismissed workers whose STIES or FETRABA
(Banana Workers' Federation) affiliation had come to their attention and whose
jobs were vulnerable. It was explained that such known labor leaders as Humberto
RODRIQUEZ, an office-worker, and Domingo ROJAS, a plantation laborer, have been
able to hold their jobs thus far either because of their nature or because they
have been careful, to avoid infractions of company rules.
25X1A CONFIDENTIAL