PCE SEARCH FOR UNDERGROUND HEADQUARTERS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP82-00457R002700670006-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: November 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: February 18, 1999
• Sequence Number: 6
• Publication Date: May 23, 1949
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For ReIeasC~R?R// 9/ - RE12A" 6f0027006pft
NO,
COUNTRY Ecuador
SUBJECT PCE Search for Underground Headquarters
PLACE 25X1A6a
ACQUIRED
DATE OF INF
CD NO.
25X1A2 ,
DATE DISTR. 23 mA.y 94g
NO. OF PAGES 2 25X1A2g
NO. OF ENCLS,
(LISTED BELOW)
SUPPLEMENT T
REPORT NO.
b It has been ascertained that the Central Corrnittee of the Partido Corrani: to
?el ` cuador (PCE) has been studyin'- ways of providing for the welfare of
Party n embers in case of an energeney. The Gonriittee has decided on the plan
for a secret hiding place in order to protect the leaders and to naintain
control of the Part,-7 while in an underground status. &ccoriingl.y, the
Conn- ittee co* ssioned several a.rents to nake a survey of the GG+uarunus-
Santa Helena area in the Province of Pichincha. This survey has been completed
and revie.red by the Committee. Its decision, although not final, as very
favorable of this location, and it was decided that more definite steps wo..ald
')a taken tor-rards erta.bl ishrBent of an "underground" quarters once the rainy
season *was over.
2. The 1nvestigalors retorted that the distances bet-roan the towns en route
were as follows:
;;ono - Guaremus
17 kilometers
Guarur,:us landayapa
12
91
Thnday ,pa. - Los P=nentes
15
go
Los 'uentes - .aneg ,l Chico
5
e o
Nane ,? :hico - Santa Felen a
12
Total of
` 61
of
3. be road between Nono and Guarumus is suitable for motor traffic. Two buses
were found to be in daily service between juito and Cutaarurnus. One bus belongs
to a Sr. Ttornaro, who resides in ITono, and the second bus is owned :and onerated
by a Sr. T rymi.res of '?uito. The buses leave Quito about noon and arrive in
Guarramus about 3:00 p.n, the m" day.
4 From Guaru nua to Santa Helena, it is necessary r to walk about 44. kilometers.
The road is actually a, narrow path which goes across rivers and along, nurerous
pr^cipioes. The rivers were All fordable on foot. This path was considered
very cdanrerouas even on foot during tho rainy season and is used almost ex-
clusively by "arrieros'c, who carrr their cargo on steers to and from Gruarurnus,
Santa !?elena, Gualea, and Pacto.
5. It was determined that the two bns onerators on the above route wore not
Party members and accordingly would not he available for liaison t urnesses. In
CLASSIFMATION
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Class. CB T ~':L5 0: TS 5 V
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4 Apr 77
/A
A%Ith : liLtr`a_ qtr , o ........:.
Date :
Approved For Release 1999/09/09 : CIA-RDP82-00457R002700670006-7
 Approved For Release 1999/09/09 : C82-00457R002700670006-7
CE MMAL INPELLIG^FZCE, 4GE ?CY
25X1A2g
view of this, it was reco ende' that the Party consider biying a bus and
nutting it on this run in order to provi.?e a safe means of carrying messages
back and forth. It was estimated that this bus would be able to overate in
such a manner that it would not only meet its expenses but would Iet-,,ally
show a norofit within a reasonable leng.th of time, as it would be able to carry
a assengers and freight both :rays. If one of the "arr, i:.ros" (cargo carriers
with steers) co,, d be trusted or a Party me-?her placed in such status, then
a means could be provided for a daily courier to carry messages from the bus
operator in Guarumus to Tandayapa. In this manner con unications could be
established between Quito and the "hideout" in five hours on a daily basis,
if necessary.
6. The investigators found that it would be useless and inefficient. to establish
quarter o at any place below Tandayap a, as the latter location offers a road,
healthy climate, and fairly rapid means of corn unications. Tandayapa is about
1700 "meters above sea level, and ' its onlv,v inhabitants at the moment consist
of a f