THE VARGAS SUICIDE AND THE NEW BRAZILIAN PRESIDENT

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP91T01172R000300020010-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 5, 2012
• Sequence Number: 10
• Publication Date: August 24, 1954
• Content Type: MEMO

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/07/05: CIA-RDP91T01172R000300020010-7
OCI No. 9485 CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
Copy No. 3 4 OFFICE OF CURRENT INTELLIGENCE
24 August 1954
TO: Deputy Director (Intelligence)
SUBJECT: The Vargas Suicide and the New Brazilian President
The "resignation" and suicide on 24 August of President
Getulio Vargas of Brazil brings Vice President Joao Cafe'Filho
to the presidency. Vargas apparently decided to resign under
pressure of the armed forces and from important politicians in-
cluding two former presidents--Amur Bernardes and Eurico Gaspar
Dutra--following the brutal slaying of an airforce major and
the wounding of the popular anti-Vargas newspaper editor, Carlos
Lacerdao
and pro-United States.
Cafe'Filho has risen in the field of politics as the re-
sult of opportunistic "politicking." In 1945 he supported the
Communist candidate for the presidency in order to gain the
Communist vote for his own candidacy to the Federal Chamber of
Deputies. During the past few years, however, he is not known
to have been connected with any Communists or Communist front
organizations. Cafe'Filho is not a member of Vargas) Brazilian
Labor Party, but rather is a member of the Popular Socialist
Party headed by the well-known demogogue Adhemar de Barros,
erstwhile contender for a nomination for the presidency.
Because of his background, it can be expected that the
armed forces will keep a close watch on Cafe'Filho and the he
will go along with the demands of the armed forces. The govern-
ment in Brazil will continue to be conservative, anti-Communist
HUNTINGTON D. SHELDON
Assistant Director
Current Intelligence
Orig: WESTERN DIV
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/07/05: CIA-RDP91T01172R000300020010-7