CLASSIEU Suthority Stateletter Pube e; MLR Cate 2498 EMBASSY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA No. 1397 San José, Costa rica May 10, 1944 Subject: Present Political Situation and Future Possibilities.
stribution yes STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL RECEIVED The Honorable The Secretary of State, Washington, Donc Sire With reference to the assumption of the Presidency of Costa Rica by Teodoro PICADO on May 8, have the honor to submit a summary of the present political situation and to indicate some trends which may characterize the administration of President Picado.
818. 00 2050 It will be recalled that Picado was elected with the support of, and through the efforts of, the following groups: the Calderón Guardias, backed by organized officialdom; the Vanguardia Popular Party, composed of the labor element; and the tacit approval, if not the active support, of the Catholic Church. His opposition, naturally enough, was made up of persons hostile to these elements, including enemies of the Calderón Guardias, persons of all classes suspicious of the Communist taint of the Picado Mora alliance, and those who felt that the Church had erred in giving its blessing to the Vanguardia Popular Par ty.
At the present tire Picado enjoys the nominal support of all the factions which united to elect him, but, paradoxically enough, he can count on the continued backing of none of them, and indeed before 1948 he may be drawing the majority of his strength from among the elements which but recently were themost rabid Cortesistas. In the first place the role of the Calderón Guardias during the next four years is not entirely clear. While their administration has been fairly thoroughly discredited, the ex President undoubtedly has some personal and ideological backing which would welcome another term of the Presidency for him. Nor has don Rafael Angel stated that he was leaving official life for good, and the brothers apparent desire that don Paco be named First Designate PS BMB would