COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES - IN 1932-1933 THOUSANDS OF SALVADORANS WERE KILLED IN WHAT WAS KNOWN AS A COMMUNIST UPRISING.
Originator: CIA
To: CHIEF, WHD
Document date: 11/02/1969
Document type: PAPER - TEXTUAL DOCUMENT

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27 16-26

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CHIEF OF STATION, SAN SALVADOR

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SUBJECT: GENERM-

SPECIFIA

Comunist Activities

GUNSELTI

BFERENCES DIR 46521, (TSS-537, TSS-780, ISS 790, 900-71

ass. 852;

22 0H08 4 17 9, 458121 (55737, (63539, 45 a (sp, a li,

and 01SS-4727

I. Generals

A. In 1932-1933 thousands of Salvadorans were Idlled In what was

known as a Communist upriaing.

At that time many Communist were

Ialled and many escapod abroad where they are contiming their

Communist aotivitles today. The atrong reprisale against the

Communist twenty years ago, have been strong deterrents to the

growth of Communism.

In addition, International Conmunism has

since those early daya concentrated 1ts activitios elsewhere

not in El Salvador.

Bo The present atrength of the Communist Party of El Salvador (PCS)

18 estimatod to be betweon three to four hundred with 30-40 n111-

tanto (Lalalon estimates 50) and real "hard-corol membera to be

about 15.

In considering the individual momber af the PAS 1t must

be advised that he 18 not the Intolloctual, the well-road, the tras

voled, the talented Communist one finds in Europe or even a large...

South Amirloan Country.

C. "Preaiden

while extremely anti-Communiot, tolerates Commis

alem in

Tit Fred and extra coin Comet te rond vath

lovertment penalons and diplomatio poste in the bolief that abroad

thay can do no harm.

At home a Communiat who does not knowingly

pause OoRto can and probably does hold a goveramant job LATINDo→

Do Not untll the Governmant discovered large amounts of Communiet

propaganda coming into El Salvador from Cuatenala did the Governo

mant realise the danger of Conmunian. The influs of such propa-

ganda kas. firet notiood about one year ago uhan a bundlo of propa-

ganda vas discovered on the International

Rallroad of. Constral

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Amorica coming into El Salvador from livatemala, l'Ore prop

aganda was discovered on both the train, in brucks and auto..

mobilos and on suspicious persons entering i Salvador from

both Guatemala and lionduras,

In the summor of 1952 the Gav.

erment began to

inspoct the baggago of exiled Salvadoran

Comunists who were landing at ILopanio airport intranuit to

Guatamals. In this fashion they discovered and consficated

Communist pins, leaflets, books filma (BW films printed by

Polping), addressed, etc., from Salvauorans

traveling to Can-

munist. China and Communist burope on Guatenalan passports.

one wook after President OSORIO and Prusident APBENZ of Guate-

mala mat on the common bordor, Prosident OSORIO declared a

"Stato of Seigo" at which time he arrested about two hundred

"Communist" in the Capital city of El Salvador and about a

"thousand" thro: ghout the country. He deported 18 Camunists

to Costa Rice and kept another forty or fifty in jail.

The

Goverrment had published"Communiot Party Plans for the over

throw of the Government"

with photographs of gronades, riiles,

pistole,

mimeograph machines, etc.

purportedly found

in the

homes of parlous Conmuniat leadera.

Neither the Party Plana

nor the amount of arms appoared to the undersign - nor to other

ambassy atriolals - authentic, logioal, sufficient, and danger

me anoneh to warrant the Stato of siogo.

It appeardd to ba

datorment propaganda aimed at axplaining Its actions to the

mass of people. It ls hellevad that the real reason for the

Governments action was tho fear of the futuro 11 Communist

propaganda was contimed.

The background for todar's situations via a via the Camo

munist Party of El Salvador, must inoludo cortain political,

military, and economie faots. President ASDETO 1a politically

sauta, ho la sincoros ho 1a progresalve and desira greator

danocracy for lla country mich he realizea 13 dapendent upon

graater l1teraoy and aducation. OSORIO has pormitted the grouth

and the crestion of other political parties, but no other pol-

1tical party threatens the strenght of the president's party

Partião Rovolusionario do Union Damossatios.

The aruy 1a com

plotal loyal to the prosident and 11 thera aro pol1t10a1 nacho

inations within tho Army they are in the form of plans for tie

nomination and olaction of their raspective cardidatos in the

eloations to be hold in 1950.

The Army, Itaelf has various

politioal cliques within 1t, but to the beat of our knowledgo

all cliques givo OSORIO: their full support. Isononically, the

country 18 very sound with a high dogroe of

employment and wagos

Inorasing. In viow of atrong aconomy and a stable anti-com

munist Governent the Communist Party of 8l Salvador finds very

foN oracke in tho political will in whiot to offoctivoly place

tieir propaganda nudges.

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II. Politios:

Ao In fugust of 1957 it was

reported thet. the Cormaniat woul

attempt to penetrato the Partido Accion Renovadora (FAR) tr

such an oxtint that they would have cuntrol, whereby they could

elect Communists to tho National Assemuly.

The Communists did

Infiltrate PAR, but they became so rumorous and so vociferous

that the members of PAR finally realised what had happened and

printed leafluts dennouncing the Communists within the Party.

PAR practically dissolved theroafter and again the Communists

waro left without a political front group.

The Comminiats dur

ing this time did a lot of talking and planning, but thoy admit

tod that it was difficult "undor the OSORIO regime" to make pol-

Itical strides, but that they were making great advances in the

labor movement. It can be written that the Communists' Parsy to-

day has had no success in either astabliahing itself as a strong

political force nor has it buun able to use another political par

ty as lta tool.

Bo Within, the Government, the linistry of Labor and the linistry of

Culture and Education aro fraquently attacked for harboring Com-

It has been

roportod at various times that Renalco

GALINDO PCl., linister of Culture and Education 18 a Cormuniat.

Juan bosch,

the Dominican Communiat is supposed to have called

GALINDO a "pollablo comrado."

Prosidnet ASORIO 10 reportadly

aware of GALINIO'S political bollafo, but disregards then since

they are friende and GALINDO 18 not knowingly plotting against

Tho Prosident also belloves that QALINDO can ba well

"watched" where he is and that to dischargo him or esdle him would

inato him more dangarous. CALINDO 18 also acoused of ardating the

INSTITUTO MORAZAN which became dant natad by some thenty seven

Communists profossors. (Pleaso see TSS-303)

Co While the National University l8 autononous, 1t oes raceive fin-

encial support from the Miniatry of Culture and Education. It has

boon the National Univeralw where the communista. have enjoyed

The prominent communict Rodoloun

-Ba1310a vas Dean of the Soholl of Ezchonios where he undoubtedly

Influenced many a student, at loast tha Sohool of Economics beesme

the most vociforous on bohalf of Communtom." Tho studant neusrapar

OPINION ESTUDIANTIL becams the organ of the Sonmustay Party. Each

odition of the newspaper (once a weak) followad the Co minist party

lino whother 1t was an "Intainational aritorini" or a local one.

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Mario flores lachl, bragged about the ne: spayer as joing coin-

pletely under the control of the Communist Party.

There was

no doubt. And it was immediately seisad at the time the State

of Siege

was declared.

The Co munists Students have been since

exiled, jailod, and/or removed from any influence in student

circles.

MENEZ Barrios has lost his position with the uni-

versity and has been roplaced by a adamarit anti-commnist sulio..

Fausto FERNANDEz, however, has been recerituy named Vice-lean oi

the Scholl of Hunanities.

FALSTO FERNANDEZ iS probably Salvadorfs

most intelloctual Corumist. He recently returned from Chile

where he was Counselor in the Salvadoran Ambassy. He was accused

of smuggling in tax-free cigarettes and stealing government doc-

unents.

Upon his return to Salvador he vindicated himself with

both the Foreign Ministor and the Prosident. On 31 January, 1953

FAUSTO FERNANDEZ spoke at the National University at which time

he dinnounced Hamdam and declared that he had raturned to the

Catholic faith. The consensus of opinion among Communists, stu-

dents, the Army, and the Priests is that he, FAUSTO FERNANDEZ,

has not renounced Camnunism, but is using another tactic (and the

only one that would per.it him to remain in the good graces of the

Government) to further the Conmunist cause. On or about 16 Feb-

i Juary, 1953 thure appeared on the streets a clandestine Communist

leaflet, which Is belleved by several sources to have been written

by FAUSTO FERiANDEZ. It can be said that st the present FAUSTO

FERNANDEZ 18 boing disoreet and only the future will prove or dis

prove his own statements.

Do In the Ministry of Labor, the Communists appear to have had some-

what similar success; although their cuccess was not quite as

well known, it was Just ag

dangerous.

The Minister Mario Hector. →

SALAZAR has often been acoused of being a Communist, but thie 10

belloved to be an unfounded accusationbased principally on his

normal work which has, of course conflicted, with the historical

Intorost of the monied olass. Rogue MEAl Leandro, chies of Labor

Inspectors, has been considered a Comminiat (he was refused a grant

to study in the United States on this basis, but given another

explanation) and 1t has come to the attention of this Station on

numerous occassions that LIAL'S Inspoctors often told labor groups

In various industries what polloied thay sould adapt, that they

shaaild strike for, and would advise labor groups on government be

nofito, procedure, eto., while on strike: IRAL vas influential in

bringing into the Inspector' a Department well known leftist and/or

Communist. These wore j. Antonio PARADA, Napoleon VILLACORIA, do i

'Alberto VASQUSZ, and liario SALAZAR Valdento (Not believed to be

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relatoù to tie Ministor). Prior to the doclaration of the

itate oi Siege,

a certain amount of sajotage

1 few days after the State of Siege was declared it was reported

that SALAZAR VALIENTS was arrested for being the Director of a

Co munist coll within the "inistry of Labor and that he as re-

sponsible for the sabotage of the Government trucks. Some Army

officors reportodly asked President OSORIO to discharge Hario

Hector SATAZAR for harboring a lo munist coll within the linistry.

The cell has been, of course, liquidated and the 'Inister con-

tiles to have the faith of the President and most of his former

detractors.

In othor branches of the Governmint there appears to be no Cam-

munjat influence and no known penetration..

The Army has always

remained anti-Comunist and there have been no reports indicating

any Communist in the Army and further more no reports have been

received that the Communists have been or are planning the pene-

tration of the Aumy. The Station did raceive one report that

Dri AntoniO CARMANZA AMISA ( a lawyer and brother to Colonel Rafael:

"CARRANZA AMAYA, Inspector Goneral al the Axy, was being used by

Tony VASSILTU, a known nilitant Cormunist, to obtain information

about the Try and possibly to elicit the support of certain Army

officers in a move to overthrow the Government. This plan has, for

the time being, come to nought.

02

(JURATOR

believes that there are several Communists in the Presi

dential House who are unknown as Communista to the President add

consequently, dangerous. He could not five names, but he did

Starte that) GALINDO POHL was undoubtodly a Communist. Bunie ODIO,

ontilmasa to writo for the various newapapers, but all of her pul

JOAQUIn CASTRO-

few months ago the Editor of the Government newspapor La TrIbuna

In which Quino Caso often attacked the United Statas. He vas 39=

eved at this poadtion, however, somatime In October, 1953. At this

tims the editorial polloy of the nauspapar becane much mora syn-

pathetio to the United Statos. Quino Caso has been desoribad as

a Comminist and yet described as a person uno 18 againat all poli

1t10al movemants, Communism, Facism, eto. The thurth 18 not loan

at this timo.

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related to the linistor). Prior to the doclaration of the

state of sioge, 1t vas learnca by the station) that there va

, certain amount of gajotare of trucks in the Ministm of Labor

it so 1 mod and:

A few days after the State of Sioge was declared it was reported

that SALAZAR VALIENTS was arrested for being the Director of a

Co munist coll within the "inistry of Labor and that he as ro

sponsible for the sabotago of the Goveinment trucks. Some Army

officers reportodly asked President OSORIO to discharge Hario

Hector SALAZAR for harboring a lo munist cell within the lanisiay.

The cell has been, of course, liquidated and the "inistor con-

times to have the faith of the president and most of his former

detractors.

E. In othor branches of the Governmint there appears to be no Com-

muniet intluence and no knoim penetration..

The Arry has always

remained anti-Cornist and there have been no reporto indicating

any Cormunist in the Army and further more no reports have been

received that the communists have been or are planning the pene

tration of the Army. The Station did receive one report that

(Drà Antonio CARRANZA AMTYA ( a lawyer and brother to (Colonel Rafael:

"CARRANZA AMAYA, Inspector General ai the Axw, was being used by

Ton ASSILTU, & known militant cormunist, to obtain information

about the Arny and posalbly to elicit the support of certain Army

officers In a move to overthrow the Government. This plan has, for

the time being, come to nought.

F. CURATOR bolleyes that there are several Camunists in the Proat-

dantial House who are unknown as Communists to the President add

consequently; dangerous. He could not give names, but ne did

"Beate that) GALINDO POHL was undoubtadly a Caniat. Punis ODIO,

a Costa Pican Communiat (or once was) 18 reported to be die nia-

"troas al Jose quatales the Presidential Press Secretary. Y010 10

formation was passed on to liaison with no viaible results, avIl

ontes to wilto for the varioua netspapers, but all li nor pu

Jaaquin CASTRO.

Canzalez of better known by his pen nema,

few montha ago the Editor of the Governmant newspaper La IrIbuna

In which quino Caso often attacked tha United States.

He tas ta-

Iloved of this poation, however, somatime In Octobor, 1953. At thia

tims the editorial polloy of the newspaper became much more syn.

pathotio to the United States. Quino Caso has been dasoribed a8

a Communiot and yet described as a person who 18 against all poli

1t1oal novenants, Communten, Facian, oto. The thath 18 not lassi

atthis timo.

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the labor leaders by the commundat.

But without his knowlodge

hat he is a creatura of the Communist.

One report states that

reinaldo

GALINDO POIL 18 behind the rise of JUlE. At any rate, an has

become an important labor figure ofer night. Labor unions and

their individual members are now more cooperative with the Min-

Istor of labor and with government policy than they have been in

the past.

Several unions. have lost their Coumnists directors

through elections which were hold throughtout. November and Dec-

ember. The rank and f1le members of the unions have been made

anara of Communism by moans of Governmant action and a strong

propaganda campaign; consequently, 1t 18 Inwon that Labor, in

1ts newly acquired political consciousness has given its support

to the Government.

IV. Propazanda

communiat propaganda is neglible.

Since the State of Siege was

declared the 27th of September, 1952 there have been enly too

Instances in which communist propaganda has appeared on thestreets

of san salvador.

In both cases the propaganda was mimeographed

and did not appear to have a large circulation as persona

ceiving such propaganda were diffioult to find (not even (JUGULAR

could find a copy among hia Communiat friends) and there vero 02

no oditorial conments on the appearance of the propaganda. The

Law In Dafense of the Constitution passed by the fational Assembly

In Decemoer, 1952 makes 1t 11logal to ba a Communist, to parti-

al pato in any communiat activity, or to vort on tabalf of Commun-

fam in any marnor.

thia law and the fairis rigid application of

It by the lovernment has undoubtady deterred magy from prosoting

in any fashion Commnist propaganda. (The Govorment has in the

past failed to recognised the right of Habeua Carpus in those cases

as jallad Communista).

Bo

Recantly thore bave been two nowspapar artiales which may have been

conniet insptired but this is purs spaculation and nothing soro. The

I perio de Cooldente al Santa Ana which is editod by ons Alirade →

APARADA (once exiled for oppoaition to Prosldent OSORIO) publiabad

an artlole that the United Statos Marinas had landed in Ovatanals

to protact the United Frult Company. No source of by-line was gives.

Another artiale publlahed by coveral of the neuspapera but which

sooned to have originated in Honduras, Costa Rica, or Managua atat-

ed that the HENHY FORD III Foundation had given fIve idllion dal-

lare to fight Coumunism in Contral America.

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B: On the other hand, anti-Communist propaganda is heavy, daily

and in all modia of propaganda. Edftoriads, cartoons, anci

newspaper articilos deploting Communian in 1ts worse light ..

appear every day 1n the five dally newspapers. The radio

does 1ts share of anti-Communiat propaganda.

olose to a "hato campaign" of Guatenalan Communism :1th the

emphaais on Comminian.

Summary

A.

In cumation, the PCS 1a inoffectivo as a political force at

the prasent time. It has not been a political force in the

last twenty years, but 1t hasspade progress in labor matters

and probably at one time controlled more than one half of the

syndioatus.

This 18 no longet true, however, and the PCS has

lost most of 1ts influonce among labor by a strong goverrment

polloy againgt Communism.

In acidttion, anti-Communist propa-

ganda, by both the lovernment and private interesta, has been

effective in waning labor away from Communist influence.

The now policy of the PCS is to to be less overt and moro

clandostino.

The PCS alma to "plant" 1 to members in atrategic

unions and govorment officos, to "cooperate», and to avalt

the opportune time baforo they announce thenselves as Commnists.

Is appaars that tha PCS 1a almoat complotoly dependent upon the

Communist Party of Quatanala for 1ta Instruations and directives,

consequently the suocosa or failuro of the Communisto in duate

mala will dotermino the futaro polloies of tho PCS. (Thlo 1a

also the bolluf and tho fear of tize Salvadoran Government).

the for one 3a

The rus mall produce antlous propaganda at avory opportunity,

out at cha present thoy have no organ of propaganda and the tro

loaflots thay have producod since Septerber, 1952 are conalder

od inoffoctivo.

The peoplo of El salvador appoar to completely

support Prosident OSORiO whan they recognise as dadioted to 1n-

creasing wagos, raloing the stendard of living, granting better

scuoation, and abtalning battor food and l1ving quartero for all

anues os vorisare. In addition, tho dovornmoni has mada 1t cleas

hat the threat of Communiem consa from Guatenala which has made ill

anti-consuntat propagands quito offootivo.

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