This is a telegram from the US Embassy in Buenos Aires to the State Department regarding the situation of Chilean refugees in Argentina. The Embassy suspects that there is crossborder cooperation between Argentine and Chilean security forces.
Archivos de acervos estatales
An FBI legal attaché shares intelligence from a source in Rio de Janeiro who expresses concern regarding Brazilian exiles returning from Argentina who 'may utilize their considerable experience against targets within Brazil'.
The United States Mission to the United Nations in New York reports to the State Department that former Uruguayan legislators Zelmar Michelini and Hector Gutierrez Ruiz have been arrested in Argentina. The message highlights the 'symbolic significance' of Michelini within the exile community.
The US Embassy in Buenos Aires briefs the State Department on the arrest of renowned Uruguayan exiles, Zelmar Michelini and Hector Gutiérrez Ruiz, in Argentina.
The US State Department writes to the US Embassy in Buenos Aires after the bodies of four Uruguayan nationals, including Zelmar Michelini and Héctor Gutiérrez Ruiz, were found in an abandoned car. The Uruguayans had been shot.
This telegram from the US Embassy in Buenos Aires to the State Department reports that the appearance of the bodies of Uruguayan legislators Zelmar Michelini and Hector Gutierrez Ruiz in Argentina has raised safety concerns among Uruguayan exiles in Argentina. These high-profile assassinations have led to increased criticism of the Argentine military regime in the press.
The document provides information regarding the appearance of 10 bodies in Uruguay. Investigations were being carried out into a list of 10 names alleged by the ICJ to be missing prisoners or to have disappeared in Uruguay. Four of the persons allegedly belonged to the MLN-Tupamaros.
The State Department in Washington warns the US Embassy in Buenos Aires that there are growing public concerns in the US among Congress, universities, and the media regarding the disappearances and violence in Argentina. According to the State Department, the recent murder of Uruguayan parliamentarians Zelmar Michelini and Héctor Gutiérrez Ruiz indicate that the situation, there, is spiralling out of control.
In this document, the US Embassy in Chile responds to a telegram from the US State Department to the Embassies of the Southern Cone expressing concern regarding the international ramifications of the violent assassinations of political figures abroad. The Embassy suspects that the death of Chilean refugees could have resulted from institutional cooperation between the Chilean military regime and groups or governments abroad.
This is a report produced by the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA) regarding the assassination of Uruguayan legislators Zelmar Michelini and Hector Gutierrez Ruiz. WOLA asserts that their abduction and assassination must have been instigated by the Uruguayan government and carried out by the Argentine government.
In this document, the US Ambassador to Brazil briefs the State Department in Washington on the case of a Brazilian national, Maria Regina Marcondes Pinto who was arrested by the Argentine authorities in Buenos Aires and handed over to the Chilean regime.
The US Embassy in Buenos Aires informs the State Department that the body of former Bolivian President Juan Jose Torres has been found in Argentina. This event- alongside the recent assassinations of Uruguayan legislators Zelmar Michelini and Hector Gutierrez- lead the Embassy to suspect that the murders are part of a campaign to target leftist refugees in Argentina in order to spread fear among the entire exile community.
In this document, the US Assistant Secretary of State, Harold Saunders writes to the Secretary of State, Henry Kissinger about the recent assassinations of former Bolivian President Juan Jose Torres and Uruguayan legislators Zelmar Michelini and Hector Gutierrez. These high-profile cases lead Saunders to question the degree of regional cooperation.
This is a telegram from the US Embassy in Argentina addressed to the State Department in Washington and the US Embassies in Uruguay, Chile, and Brazil. It mentions that around fourteen refugees from South American countries have been either captured or killed in a raid in an Argentine province on 29 March 1976. The Embassy reports that Chilean leader of the Revolutionary Left Movement (MIR) was abducted during the raid and was, probably, assassinated afterwards. Brazilian national, Maria Regina Marcondes Pinto may have, also, been captured by Argentine security forces and handed over to Chilean security forces.
This is a warning from the US State Department to the US Embassies of Uruguay, Paraguay, Chile, Brazil, and Bolivia regarding the potential international repercussions of the violent deaths of nationals of their respective countries abroad. The State Department asks for evidence of international arrangements for the assassination and/or refoulment of refugees.
This is a transcript of a conversation between the US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger and the Argentine Foreign Minister César Augusto Guzzetti. Kissinger refuses to help the Argentine military regime with its counterterrorist activities.
In this telegram, the State Department reports on the situation of refugees in Argentina and claims that 'it is possible but not proved' that regional governments are cooperating to eliminate high-profile political opponents.
In this document, the US Embassy in Buenos Aires suspects that Argentine security forces were involved in the murders of Uruguayan politicians Zelmar Michelini and Hector Gutierrez Ruiz.
In this telegram, the US Embassy in Buenos Aires informs the State Department about the abduction of 24 Chilean refugees and one Paraguayan in Argentina. The US Embassy calls into question the Argentine dictatorship's response which originally attributed the abductions to illegal police and military groups.
In this document, the US Embassy in Buenos Aires briefs the State Department on the aftermath of the kidnapping and release of twenty four refugees (mainly Chileans) under UNHCR protection in Buenos Aires in June 1976.
This document contains a list of refugees including nationals from Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Italy, Paraguay, Spain, Peru, and Uruguay who are detained or missing in Argentina in June 1976. The document mentions the abduction of 25 (mainly Chilean) refugees in Buenos Aires on 10 June after a list was stolen from the refugee agency in Buenos Aires.
The US Embassy in Montevideo writes to the State Department with intelligence surrounding the suspected political activities of Uruguayans Zelmar Michelini and Hector Gutierrez.
The US Ambassador in Montevideo shares further information with the State Department regarding the activities of Uruguayan legislators and opponents of the military regime, Zelmar Michelini and Héctor Gutiérrez Ruiz. The Argentine authorities suspect that Michelini is involved with the Revolutionary Coordinating Junta (JCR) in Argentina.
In this report, the CIA recognises that the security forces of several South American countries may be working together in actions against political refugees in Argentina. This comes after three key recent incidents: 1) armed men ransacked the offices of the Argentine Catholic Commission on Immigration and stole records on thousands of refugees, 2) renowned Uruguayan exiles, Zelmar Michelini and Héctor Gutiérrez Ruiz and former Bolivian President were killed in Argentina, and 3) reports of the death of Chilean national and founder of the Revolutionary Left Movement (MIR), Edgardo Enríquez.
This CIA document reports on a Condor meeting which took place from 31st May to 2nd June 1976. It is announced that a centralised database will be created.
The communication recounts a meeting of Operation Condor member countries held from 31st May to 2nd June 1976 in Argentina. The security services agreed upon two forms of cooperation: intelligence sharing and covert operations against the Revolutionary Coordinating Junta (JCR) and other guerrilla groups.
In this telegram sent to the State Department, the US Ambassador to Uruguay claims that 'the US has long urged [countries in the Southern Cone] to increase their cooperation for security'. The Ambassador argues that a coordinated, regional approach to security is justified to counter the armed groups who are coordinating their regional activities through the JCR.
In this telegram sent to the US Embassy in Montevideo, the US Embassy in Buenos Aires shares intelligence from victims' testimonies before the UNHCR indicating that Uruguayan security offices were involved in kidnappings of refugees in Buenos Aires in June 1976 in collaboration with local security forces.
CIA on Operation Condor including a separate agreement by Uruguayan intelligence to operate covertly in Paris with Argentine and Chilean counterparts against the Revolutionary Coordinating Junta and other leftist subversive groups.
Cooperation between the intelligence and security forces of Argentina; leftist subversive actions during the period 25th June to 2nd July 1976; the reorganization of the Montoneros.
This document contains three messages from the CIA. The first contains intelligence regarding the crossborder travel of agents from Condor member countries to support countersubversive operations in Argentina. The second and third documents examine the activities and reorganisation of the Montoneros guerrilla movement in Argentina.
In this telegram, the Deputy Assistant Secretary for the State Department, Harry Shlaudeman writes to the Secretary of the State Department regarding the recent appeal of the UN High Commission for Refugees to the US and 33 other countries requesting the urgent resettlement of one thousand refugees in Argentina, alongside further refugees in the future.
The US Embassy in Buenos Aires briefs the State Department on the increasing danger to political refugees in Argentina, following the disappearance of 30 Uruguayans the previous week including the daughter of murdered Uruguayan Senator Zelmar Michelini.
“Condor”: A Cooperative Program of the Intelligence Services of Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay and Brazil to Counter Terrorism and Subversion; Basic Mission of “Condor” Teams Sent to France.
This report shares intelligence on plans for a phase three of Operation Condor involving targeted assassinations against high-level opponents of the military regimes located in non-member countries. Europe will, allegedly, be the main country involved in planned operations in France.
Comments by a senior Bolivian official on the “Condor” program. The Bolivian official claimed that special teams were being organised to pursue JCR targets in France and that later similar targets in other countries would be pursued.
In this telegram sent to the State Department, the US Embassy in Buenos Aires argues that recent US reports are wrongly reducing Condor to intelligence sharing. The US Embassy suggests that there is strong evidence that Argentine, Chilean, and Uruguayan agents are travelling across borders to collaborate with local security forces.
The CIA reports that the intelligence services of Argentina, Chile and Uruguay were preparing specially trained teams to mount offensive operations beyond their borders. The FBI emphasises that it will need to take precautions to ensure that it does not become associated with such activity.
Arrest by Argentine authorities of 30 Uruguayan subversives. Among those captured was Margarita Michelini, daughter of the Uruguayan Senator Zelmar Michelini who was assassinated as part of Operation Condor.
In this document, the CIA shares intelligence from an anonymous source regarding the selection of targets for special Condor teams which are due to operate in Europe. According to the source, Condor teams being sent to France will aim to target high-level leaders of guerrilla organisations. Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay are identified as suspected to be the main protagonists in such operations outside South America.
This is a CIA memorandum from a meeting which discussed the 'disturbing developments' in Condor's 'operational attitudes' to include attacks against guerrilla leaders.
In this telegram addressed to the State Department, the US Embassy in Buenos Aires reports that Chilean union leader, Muñoz Salas is seeking resettlement outside Argentina through the UN High Commission for Refugees. Muñoz Salas claims that he and his family were abducted and tortured by Argentine police officers, despite that he was not involved in any political activity in Argentina.
This memorandum from a State Department meeting reports that Condor is adopting an increasingly 'active' role and is turning towards tracking down and carrying out attacks against leaders of guerrilla organisations. The French security services have been alerted that Condor may be planning on carrying out operations against JCR leaders in Paris.
In this memo, the Assistant Secretary of State, Harry Shlaudeman expresses concern regarding regional cooperation in the Southern Cone to eradicate subversion. Shlaudeman claims that the repercussions of which for the Western hemisphere are 'disturbing'.
In this document, the CIA reports on the planned Condor operations to liquidate key political opponents of the military regimes who are exiled in Europe. Special mixed teams have been established and these 'Condoreje' officers will undertake a training course in Buenos Aires prior to their deployment to Europe.
In this report, the CIA provides an overview of the structure of Operation Condor including 'Condortel', which will manage the communications aspects, and 'Condoreje', which will be responsible for the operational activities. The CIA also comments on Operation Condor's planned activities including the selection of targets for the special teams which will operate in Europe.
In this staff note, the CIA mentions that Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay have committed to expanding their joint security operations to include the assassination of high-level opponents in Western Europe.
The US Ambassador to Argentina informs the State Department in Washington that embassies in Argentina are expressing concern regarding cases of missing or arbitrarily detained foreign nationals taking place in the country.
In this document, the CIA reports that Brazil had refused to partake in Condor operations against key political opponents in Europe. For now, Brazil will limit its contribution to the provision of equipment for the communications network, Condortel.
This CIA report notes that the Condor member countries have decided to suspend their plans to operate in Europe until Brazil decides whether it wishes to participate. For now, Brazil's participation will be limited to the provision of equipment for the Condortel communications network. Chile, Argentina, and Uruguay committed to operating in Europe (mainly France). A training course has been set up in Buenos Aires for such operations.