188. Editorial Note
On June 15, a series of incidents involving the Argentina Army resulted in a serious threat to the stability of the Frondizi regime. In response to their alleged criticism of the Argentine Government, two high-ranking Argentine military officers were removed from their posts. Two days later, on June 17, the commander of the Fourth Motorized Division in Córdoba arrived in Buenos Aires with the proposal of his subordinates calling for the removal of the Under Secretary of War, who subsequently submitted his resignation. This shakeup led to additional rumors concerning military uprisings in Córdoba and other areas, the resignation of the Secretary of War, and active plotting by retired Argentine military officers. (Despatch 1896 from Buenos Aires, June 23; Department of State, Central Files, 735.00 (W)/6–2359)
On June 18, at the 410th meeting of the National Security Council, Allen Dulles, in his review of world developments affecting U.S. security, raised the subject of Argentina. The memorandum of discussion reads as follows:
“Mr. Dulles described the Latin American picture as boiling in many places. Frondizi was hanging on by his eye teeth in Argentina. He might pull through. His fate depended on the behavior of the Argentine Army. Mr. Dulles felt that Frondizi had put up a valiant fight against inflation even though he had not been wholly successful. It would be a pity therefore if he collapsed. The opposition to Frondizi was spearheaded by Peronists and Communists. On balance, Mr. Dulles thought that Frondizi would squeak through.” (Eisenhower Library, Whitman File, NSC Records)