MILITARY UPRISING IN EL SALVADOR

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: Library of Congress
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): LOC-HAK-295-2-24-6
• Release Decision: RIPLIM
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: January 11, 2017
• Document Release Date: June 1, 2010
• Sequence Number: 24
• Publication Date: March 25, 1972
• Content Type: MEMO

No Objection to Declassification in Part 2010/06/01 : LOC-HAK-295-2-24-6
MEMORANDUM
SECRET INFORMATION
MEMORANDUM FOR:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
/4yc.4 Zs-If7 7.
Military Uprising in El Salvador
Early Saturday morning a military officer announced on commercial
radio that a revolutionary junta headed by Col. Benjamin Mejia,
Commander of the Artillery Brigade, had taken control of the govern-
ment and held President Sanchez in custody. He said the junta will dismiss
the legislature and supreme court and will exercise all power.
Our Embassy reports that the Air Force and the National Guard have
not yet thrown in with the junta, which has threatened to move against
Air Force headquarters. Meanwhile, an Air Force plane has dropped
several bombs on the First Army Brigade headquarters, which is
supporting the junta.
Nonetheless, traffic in the city is reportedly moving normally and only
occasional small arms fire is reported in the city. The reasons for
the unexpected take-over are not clear. It could be related to dissatis-
faction stemming from the recent presidential election in which the
government candidate defeated the leftist coalition candidate by a small
margin (and probably fraudulently). It could also be related to recent
government crack-downs on its opposition.
Go ejia imse as been judged
25X1 "friendly to the US" in the past.
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2010/06/01 : LOC-HAK-295-2-24-6