Primary Sources from the Cold War

Context: In the years after NSC-68 outlined U.S. Cold War Strategy, the CIA ramped up its efforts to covertly undermine communism around the world. In Guatemala, President Jacobo Arbenz’s social and economic reforms sparked concern among U.S. policymakers that communism was gaining a foothold in Latin America. The Eisenhower administration authorized the CIA to orchestrate a military coup. The CIA compiled assassination lists targeting leaders in Arbenz’s government as well as Communist Party members.  

Full Text: 

MEMORANDUM
TO: All Staff Officers
FROM: C/[ ]

SUBJECT: Selection of individuals for disposal by Junta Group.

C/[ ] has requested a list of names be compiled for study by Staff Officers to determine if they meet the latest criteria for inclusion on the Junta’s disposal list.

Consideration for inclusion on the final list should positively establish that the individual falls into one or more of the following groups:

1)    High government and organizational leaders whose outward position has not disclosed the fact they are motivated and directed by the Cominform and who are irrevocably implicated in Communist doctrine and policy.

2)    Out-and-out proven Communist leaders whose removal from the political scene is required for the immediate and future success of the new government.

3)    Those few individuals in key government and military positions of tactical importance whose removal for psychological, organizational or other reasons is mandatory for the success of military action.

This document is routed to Staff Officers for deletions, additions, and/or comments. It is requested that a final list of disposees be approved promptly to permit P.M. planning to proceed on schedule.

The following list of individuals for consideration has been assembled from old lists supplied by the Junta and from recent intelligence available at [ ]. Your careful consideration is requested in making additions or deletions.

Each officer is to indicate his concurrence by placing his initials after each name on the attached list which he believes should remain on this list. Exceptions, additions or deletions are to be noted on the blank pages following the attachment.

Attachments:

To access the complete document, visit National Security Archive.