HONDURAS: ARMY COMMANDER OUSTED

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP91B00874R000100280013-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: January 19, 2012
• Sequence Number: 13
• Publication Date: September 29, 1986
• Content Type: MISC

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/19: CIA-RDP91 B00874R000100280013-8 )_5X1
HONDURAS: Army Commander Ousted
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the Army after a coming reshuffle.
control
The peaceful removal of Army Commander Thumann over the
weekend ended a divisive factional struggle over who would
Thumann, Colonel Saida leading candidate to be the next Army
W1 h h*m were ~ustetl by Raid
commander-and eight officers allied
's
chief rival Colone _ nd a group of lieutenant colonels known as ' `l i V\o,
y chief.
Forces Chief Regalado, who will also serve as Army commander un it o L-,
his sc heduled retirement in January. Ve `25X1
]Riera probably will replace Regalado and a Riera ally will become ,f 25X1
commander of a key unit with a Said backer.
the struggle between Riera and
Said intensified last week after Said unilaterally announced a series of
rotations that would seriously weaken Riera. The reporting indicates
that Thumann may have approved a Said plan to replace Riera as
Comment: The end of the power struggle probably will contribute to
military unity. Said does not appear capable of making a comeback at
this time and may be sent abroad. Riera's reputation as a camoetent
s record of intrigue and
corruption-probably will help him consolidate power.
The Sixth Promotion probably sided with Riera out of fear that Said
would not share power as Army commander. In addition, Riera may
have promised the group control over several im ortant battalions
and the service commands in 1990.
policy. Riera firmly supports the anti-Sandinista rebels' cause but is
concern e a out their presence in Honduras and will press r
The reshuffle is unlikely to lead to significant changes in military
relations with President Azcona and in cooperation with US regional
more compensation in return for backing them.
positions.
DIA Comment:) although Said
-and his supporters , ave apparently decided to roll over, many of them
are not likely to accept defeat easily. Nor does a complete Thumann
ouster seem to be a readily acceptable fact, as he has enjoyed
broadly based support in the past. Although the internal military
situation appears to have stabilized for the time being, factional
tensions are likely to continue, at least until January when different
promotional groups are expected to rotate into senior-level military
moo-secr
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it Declassified in Part -Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/19: CIA-RDP91 B00874R000100280013-8