CONTROL OF THE VENCEDOROS INFANTRY REGIMENT

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP82-00457R002300370008-2
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: November 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 7, 1998
• Sequence Number: 8
• Publication Date: February 4, 1949
• Content Type: REPORT

(:LASSWFICATION
Approved For Release/01
INFORM*
COUNTRY Ecu dor
i (AA02300370RE 8-RT NCI
SUBJECT Control of the Vencedoreia Infantry Regiment
PLACE 25X1A6a
ACQUIRED
DATE OF IN
25X1X6
DATE DISTR. 4 Feb 1949
NO. OF PAGES 2
NO. OF ENCLS.
CLlSTFJ) BELOW)
SUPPLEMENT TO
REPORT NO.
1. On 14 January 1949, Manuel Diaz Grvnados, Ecuadoran Minister of National
Defense discussed with President Solo Plaza Lasso the feasibility of
transfer:!ring the Venoeddores Infantry Regiment, from Quito or disbanding it.
die recommended one of two cot:rses beeauee of the dangerous character
of the Regiment (&. ) and its armed strength. Diaz urged that the
F.egi.-ent be disbande a once with the help of the Quito Tank squadron
(Azuay I1eohanized Squadron) , but th.3 President recommended that it merely be
transferred from the city.
2. On 15 January, Diaz alerted the Tani: Squadron and planned to inform the
Vencedores Regiment of its transfer to Latacunga. Action was delayed, however,
because word was received that the 3egiment would contest any attempt to move
it,, It was also feared that the noncommissioned officers and soldiers of the
Tank Squadron would. refuse to take action afainst their equals in the Veneoedores
Regiment, after having cooperated with them in an attempt to secure better
salaries and living conditions eaarLy in Jarnuary.
3. CapUdn Reinaldo Varea, Cc slander of the Tank Squadron, was notified on 16
January at 600 p.m. by the Comrls.nder of the First Division (formerly Military
Zone 2To. 1). Lt. Colonel Bustemarnte, that the Vencedores were expected to
attack the government that night, possibly in support of Colonel Carlos
tlancyeno. Varea said that he could rally his officers l m?aeliately, but that
he could not depend on all the officers and meh to support an attack against
the Vencedores. By 8:30 that, evening the Tank Squadron was alerted and ready
for action. Varea issued or(ers that the Tank Squadron should be in readiness
for an attack expected momen:warily from the Vencedores and that if the
Vencedores did not strike before midnight, the Tank Squadron should take the
initiative and disarm then. At the swine time, Colonel Bustamante reported
to the Pinister of, National Defense that the Tank Squadron was prepared as
ordered, and they both infcfvned the Vice President, Manuel Sotomayor y Luna.
Sotomayor announced that-ha, ppersonally, would attempt to dissuade the
Vencedores from taking any action, but first he reported to the President, who
had sought refuge across the street from his home with a Dr. Valdivieso.
President Plaza mafie the 4ollowing statement to Sotomayors "I hope that the
Vencedores attack tonight, but if they do not, I do not want any unit to
attack them since that cculd be unconstitutional. If nothing occurs tonight,
I will go to the barrackf of the Venoedores tomorrow, personally, in the
This c' meet 's ~v ._, 0047011 the
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T OD NO.
 Approved For Release 1999/09/09 QlOD457R002300370008-2
i
iii
company of several officers and will order the arrest of the instig
ators
of thin revolt."
4. Because of President Plaza's attitui!e, the plans to transfer the Vencedores
have been temporarily dimarded. He is reported to have told the Minister
of National Defense that he is reasonably certain of the existence of a pact
among, all the noncommissioned officers and soldiers in Quito and that it would
be extremely embarrassing to the government if the Tank Squadron refuzer1 to
take action against the Venceddores.
5. Other than the transfer of curtain officers and enlisted men to jungle
outposts, no action has been taken against the Reeinent as a whole, which still
is in possession if its full complement of arms and arsnmition. Two companies,
one of infantry and the other of engineers, have been moved to Quito from
nearby garrisons as a precautionary measure. Those troops were scher?uled to
be garrisoned at the Tank Barracks.
6. Although the loyalty of the National Police (Guarctta, Civil) in Quito is not
assured, the director of its training school,. Najor Efrain Paredes, was
alerted to the possibility of a revolt by the Veneedores. Orders wore issued
that if the revolt should take place, members of the police school at San
Vicente, which is located near the 'Jena ,ores barracks, should hold the
Vencedores in check until reinforcements arrived from luito.
25X1A2q
25X1A6a
M t. In inion of a wellr-Alaced inrdivi,'-ual
the revolt of
,
ua
ry (of. did not take place because the minister of rational
Defense seized some of the ringleaders on that day. This person added that
the situation among the troops throughout the country is such that if one unit
should declare itself in favor of Mancheno, the Army worLld be split and the
consequences unforeseeable.)
Approved For Release 1999/09/09 : CIA-RIDP82-00457R002300370008-2