DECLASSIFIED. Desp. No. 402 American Embassy, San Jose December 18, 1947.
CONFIDENTIAL who took personal charge of returning some of the looted merchandise to its rightful cwners. As a result of this energetic action, Col. Cortés, was made the subject of laudatory praise in the Opposition press. This same press, some months ago had villified Cortés as a turncoat and a betrayer of the sacred memory of his father.
Summary Dismissal of Five Army Officers As an aftermath of the Alajuela events related above, three Lieutenant Colonels and two Captains, forming a part of the Bella Vista garrison of San José, were summarily dismissed by Secretary of Public Security René PICADO on December 15. Active and notorious participation in the Alajuela meeting of the previous day was given as the reason for their dismissal. It will be remembered that all members of the armed forces were previously warned to abstain from active participation in the present political campaign.
Secretary of Public Security Again Leaves Costa Rica Much traveled Secretary of Public Securitt René PICADO once more left Costa Rica with his family on December 17th for Mexico, enroute to the United States. Apparently, don René fully contemplates making the United States his permanent residence, because he applied for and secured immigration visas for his children. Prior to his departure he announced that he would be back in Costa Rica on January 2nd. That he would remain until the military forces under his command had been duly turned over to the victorious candidate in the February elections.
Another Bombing The home of Manuel Formoso, managing editor of the (Calderon) TRIBUNA, on the outskirts of San José, was the latest object of bombing on the night of December 16th.
Considerable material damage was done but the occupants of the house, including Mr. Formoso, escaped injury. Due to the CONFIDENTIAL