On the night of Sunday, June 28, without prior notice President Ãrbenz declared his resignation. He publicly accused the fruit company and the United States of being directly behind the bombing and strafing of the civilian population.
An English merchant ship was bombed and sunk in the port of San José, and the bombing continues. Ãrbenz announced his decision to hand over command to Colonel Carlos Enrique DÃaz, explaining that he is motivated by a desire to save the October revolution and to block the United States from marching into this land as masters.
Colonel DÃaz said nothing in his speech. The PDR and PRG 65 both expressed their agreement, calling on their members to cooperate with the new government. The other two parties, the PRN and PGT, 66 said nothing. I fell asleep feeling frustrated about what has come to pass. I had spoken to the Ministry of Public Health and again asked to be sent to the front. Now I donât know what to do. Weâll see what today brings.
Two days full of political developments, although they have not involved me much personally. The events: Ãrbenz stepped down under pressure from a US military mission threatening massivebombing attacks, and a declaration of war from Honduras and Nicaragua, which would have led to the United States becoming involved. Ãrbenz probably could not have foreseen what would come next. The first day, colonels Sánchez and Elfego Monsón, avowedly anticommunist, pledged their support for DÃaz and their first decree was to outlaw the PGT. The persecution began immediately and the embassies filled with asylum seekers; but the worst came early the next day when DÃaz and Sánchez stepped aside, leaving Monsón at the head of the government with the two lieutenant-colonels as his subordinates. Word on the street is that they totally capitulated to Castillo Armas, and martial law was declared as a measure against anyone who might be found bearing any weapons of a prohibited caliber. My personal situation is more or less that Iâll be expelled from the little hospital where I am now, probably tomorrow, because I have been renamed âChebolâ 67 and the repression is coming.
Ventura and Amador are seeking asylum, H. stays in his house, Hilda has changed her address, Núñez is at home. The top people in the Guatemalan party are seeking asylum. Word is that Castillo will enter the city tomorrow; I received a beautiful letter that Iâll keep safe for my grandchildren.
Several days have passed now without that earlier feverish rhythm. Castillo Armasâs victory was total. 68 The junta is made up of Elfego Monzón as president, with Castillo Armas, Cruz, Dubois, and Colonel Mendoza. Within a fortnight they will hold an election within the junta to see who comes out on topâCastillo Armas, of course. Thereâs neither a congress nor a constitution. They shot the judge from Salamá, Rómulo Reyes Flores, after hekilled a guard who was trying to trick him. 69 Poor Edelberto Torres is behind bars, accused of being a communist; who knows what the poor old manâs fate will be.
Today, July 3, the âliberatorâ Castillo Armas entered the city to thunderous applause. I am living in the house of two Salvadoran women who are seeking asylumâone in Chile, the other in Brazilâwith a little old woman who is always telling stories about her husbandâs misdeeds and other interesting matters. The hospital sent me packing and now Iâm installed hereâ¦
July 4, 1954
Vieja ,
Things have happened as in a beautiful dream from which you donât want to wake. Reality is knocking on many doors and the gunfire rewarding the most fervent devotees of the old regime is beginning to be heard. Treason continues to be the birthright of the army, and once again we have proof of the aphorism that the liquidation of the army is a fundamental principle of democracy (if that aphorism doesnât
An English merchant ship was bombed and sunk in the port of San José, and the bombing continues. Ãrbenz announced his decision to hand over command to Colonel Carlos Enrique DÃaz, explaining that he is motivated by a desire to save the October revolution and to block the United States from marching into this land as masters.
Colonel DÃaz said nothing in his speech. The PDR and PRG 65 both expressed their agreement, calling on their members to cooperate with the new government. The other two parties, the PRN and PGT, 66 said nothing. I fell asleep feeling frustrated about what has come to pass. I had spoken to the Ministry of Public Health and again asked to be sent to the front. Now I donât know what to do. Weâll see what today brings.
Two days full of political developments, although they have not involved me much personally. The events: Ãrbenz stepped down under pressure from a US military mission threatening massivebombing attacks, and a declaration of war from Honduras and Nicaragua, which would have led to the United States becoming involved. Ãrbenz probably could not have foreseen what would come next. The first day, colonels Sánchez and Elfego Monsón, avowedly anticommunist, pledged their support for DÃaz and their first decree was to outlaw the PGT. The persecution began immediately and the embassies filled with asylum seekers; but the worst came early the next day when DÃaz and Sánchez stepped aside, leaving Monsón at the head of the government with the two lieutenant-colonels as his subordinates. Word on the street is that they totally capitulated to Castillo Armas, and martial law was declared as a measure against anyone who might be found bearing any weapons of a prohibited caliber. My personal situation is more or less that Iâll be expelled from the little hospital where I am now, probably tomorrow, because I have been renamed âChebolâ 67 and the repression is coming.
Ventura and Amador are seeking asylum, H. stays in his house, Hilda has changed her address, Núñez is at home. The top people in the Guatemalan party are seeking asylum. Word is that Castillo will enter the city tomorrow; I received a beautiful letter that Iâll keep safe for my grandchildren.
Several days have passed now without that earlier feverish rhythm. Castillo Armasâs victory was total. 68 The junta is made up of Elfego Monzón as president, with Castillo Armas, Cruz, Dubois, and Colonel Mendoza. Within a fortnight they will hold an election within the junta to see who comes out on topâCastillo Armas, of course. Thereâs neither a congress nor a constitution. They shot the judge from Salamá, Rómulo Reyes Flores, after hekilled a guard who was trying to trick him. 69 Poor Edelberto Torres is behind bars, accused of being a communist; who knows what the poor old manâs fate will be.
Today, July 3, the âliberatorâ Castillo Armas entered the city to thunderous applause. I am living in the house of two Salvadoran women who are seeking asylumâone in Chile, the other in Brazilâwith a little old woman who is always telling stories about her husbandâs misdeeds and other interesting matters. The hospital sent me packing and now Iâm installed hereâ¦
July 4, 1954
Vieja ,
Things have happened as in a beautiful dream from which you donât want to wake. Reality is knocking on many doors and the gunfire rewarding the most fervent devotees of the old regime is beginning to be heard. Treason continues to be the birthright of the army, and once again we have proof of the aphorism that the liquidation of the army is a fundamental principle of democracy (if that aphorism doesnât
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