61. Editorial Note
The Guatemalan Presidential elections held on October 20 resulted in a plurality for Ortiz Passarelli, the candidate of the Movimiento Democrático Nacionalista (National Democratic Movement). Rioting in Guatemala City by supporters of General Miguel Ydigoras Fuentes, the runner-up, led to the proclamation of a state of siege by the provisional government on October 23. The following day, the Army announced that the provisional government of President Gonzalez Lopez had been replaced by a three-man military junta headed by Colonel Oscar Mendoza Azurdia. On October 26, the military junta issued a decree invalidating the elections of [Page 147] October 20. The Second Vice President, Guillermo Flores Avendano, was sworn in as Provisional President of Guatemala on October 27. Documentation on these events is in Department of State, Central Files, 714.11 and 714.02.
At the Secretary’s Staff meeting on October 28, Rubottom reported on the situation in Guatemala as follows: “Rubottom indicated that we probably will need to decide whether recognition is needed for the new government. In response to the Secretary’s question he said that the President-elect still claims that the election was honest. Rubottom also said that, with the Ambassador’s concurrence, two US military attachés met with the Junta and were successful in bringing about the collaboration of the Junta with the General [Ydigoras] who had been causing considerable trouble and thus violence had been averted. He indicated that he thought the Commies had not gained and that there was a reasonable chance of an orderly government emerging.” (Ibid., Secretary’s Staff Meetings: Lot 63 D 75) Presidential elections were scheduled for January 19, 1958.