Authority Stateletter 112 8: MLAR. 24981 lucr EMBASSY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA México, November 7, 1944.
FIRST PRIORITY POUCH RESTRICTED No. 21244 Subject: Anonymous Costa Rican University Professor Denounces President Picado of Costa Rica as a Dictator to Luis Spota, Reporter on EXCELSIOR and Predicts a Revolution in Costa Rica.
818. 00 11. 744 Law file The Honorable The Secretary of State, Nashington.
Sir: have the honor to enclose herewith the Spanish text of an item which appeared in the Mexico City daily EXCELSIOR of November 7, 1946, purporting to summarize the revelations of an anonymous Costa Rican University professor.
According to these statements, Costa Rica is no longer the democratic Little Red Riding Hood of Central America but, under the presidency of Picado has begun a dictatorship which is maintaining close relations with the dictatorships of Nicaragua, Honduras and El Salvador. ACcording to the university professor, the brother of the President. René Picado. is the real dictator of the country.
It is alleged that he entered into negotiations with the leader of the Nicaraguan opposition, Gen. Alfredo Noguera Gómez, for the sale of arms and ammunition to fight President Somoza of Nicaragua. Demanding and receiving advance payment for such arms and ammunition, he thereupon denounced Gen. Noguera Gómez to his brother as preparing a plot on the national territory of Costa Rica and to the President of Nicaragua as preparing for his overthrow, with the result that the arms shipment which was to have been delivered on Costa Rican soil was confiscated by the Costa Rican authorities. Gen. Noguera Gómez was hunted down by both Costa Rican and Nicaraguan troops and cut to pieces.
The professor goes on to say: President Picado is the friend of all dictatorshe supports them politically and often has recourse to their help. It is alleged that immediately upon assuming office, President Picado requested the Nicaraguan Government to lend him troops to maintain order. There was then offered a spectacle which had never before been seen, that of foreign soldiers maltreating the people, the professor continues. According to the reporter informant, there are still many Nicaraguan soldiers in Costa Rica, particularly in the frontier regions. The Professor is reported as having said that discontent in Costa Rica is tremendous; Government spies are everywhere. Groups of malcontents are arming and will tontinue to arm, all of which will culminate sooner or later in an armed revolution.
Luis Spota is characterized by his employer, Sr. Rodrigo de Llano, Director General of EXCELSIOR, as one of his ablest reporters. Respectfully yours, Enclosure: furt For the Ambassador: From EXCELSIOR, Nov. aridhom In ozalid to Department.
David Thomasson Copy to Costa Rica.
DT:fp Second Secretary of Embassy.
CS 08 11 744