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.

Note 728/4/76, dated 11 June 1976, from the Consulate General in New York, to the Embassy of Uruguay in the United States. It forwards notes from the District Consulate of the Republic in San Juan, Puerto Rico, enclosing press clippings related to the kidnapping of Uruguayan citizens exiled in Argentina.

Location: Department of Historical–Diplomatic Archives – Section: Embassy of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay in the United States / Series: Consulate General of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay in New York / Year 1976 / Box 7 / Folder 4 / 5 pages.

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.

Telex C218/14Z, dated 16 June 1976 (Clear), sent from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (DIPLOMACIA) to the Embassy of Uruguay in Argentina (URUBAIRES). It transcribes a cable from the AFP news agency, sent from Paris, reporting the abduction of Gerardo Gatti in Buenos Aires, together with María del Pilar Montedonico.

Location: Department of the Historical and Diplomatic Archive – Section: Embassy of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay in Argentina / Series: Security Matters – Information on Individuals / Year 1976 / Box 3 Confidential Documents / Folder H3-2 Part II / 1 page.

Telex P122, dated 17 June 1976, from the Embassy of Uruguay in the United States, transcribing a news cable with statements from Wilson Ferreira Aldunate on the political situation in Uruguay and the number of political prisoners.

Location: Department of Historical–Diplomatic Archives – Section: Embassy of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay in the United States / Series: Wilson Ferreira Aldunate / Year 1976 / Box 113 / Folder 28 / 1 page.

Statement by Wilson Ferreira Aldunate before the Subcommittee on International Organisations of the Committee on International Relations of the House of Representatives of the United States Congress, dated 17 June 1976, in which he denounces the authoritarian turn in Uruguay.

He denounces the dissolution of Parliament in 1973 and the creation of the Council of State. He mentions the murders of the legislators Zelmar Michelini and Héctor Gutiérrez Ruiz in Buenos Aires. He also exposes arbitrary uses of judicial power (confiscations prior to sentencing, prolonged imprisonment even after serving one’s sentence). Furthermore, he maintains that the Uruguayan guerrilla movement was dismantled in 1972 and that, since then, state repression has been directed against the population at large.

He provides figures: between 5,000 and 6,000 political prisoners at that time, and between 50,000 and 60,000 people detained or interrogated since the beginning of the dictatorship; he refers to widespread torture together with mass emigration (at least 300,000, perhaps up to 500,000 people). He highlights the country’s foreign debt and disproportionate security expenditure. He calls on the United States to cease all political, technical and financial support for the Uruguayan dictatorship and to “let the Uruguayans” restore their democracy.

Location: Historical–Diplomatic Archive Department – Section: Embassy of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay in the United States / Series: Wilson Ferreira Aldunate / Year: 1976 / Box 113 / Folder 28

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.

Note No. 50-976(710), dated 23 June 1976, from the Consular Section of the Embassy of Uruguay in the Republic of Argentina, addressed to Ambassador Gustavo Magariños. It forwards Note 2-976-(482), dated 22 June 1976, from the Consulate, concerning a visit by the Nores Montedonico couple, who reported receiving phone calls regarding the situation of their daughter, María del Pilar Nores Montedonico.

Location: Department of the Historical and Diplomatic Archive – Section: Embassy of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay in Argentina / Series: Security Matters – Information on Individuals / Year 1976 / Box 3 Confidential Documents / Folder H3-2 Part II / 3 pages.

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.

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.

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.

Memorandum, dated 2 July 1976, regarding the conduct to be undertaken in the context of “the Venezuela case” – the possible actions to be implemented and the analysis of the repercussions that each of them could imply for Uruguay from an international relations perspective. This document relates to the abduction of the Uruguayan citizen Elena Quinteros from the grounds of the Venezuelan Embassy in Montevideo on June 28, 1976.

There is a more legible copy of this document, although it is missing a page.

Version 2 - Location: Department of the Historical and Diplomatic Archive – “Administrative Investigation into the abduction of Elena Quinteros, established by R.M. No. 201/87 on August 11, 1987, and conducted by Dr Luján Flores de Sapriza – Single box / Piece 1 / Pages 74 to 81. Documentation donated by Dr Milton Romani.

Memorandum, dated 2 July 1976, regarding the conduct to be undertaken in the context of “the Venezuela case” – the possible actions to be implemented and the analysis of the repercussions that each of them could imply for Uruguay from an international relations perspective. This document relates to the abduction of the Uruguayan citizen Elena Quinteros from the grounds of the Venezuelan Embassy in Montevideo on June 28, 1976.

The document is missing its final page, which can be seen in another copy of the document.

Version 1 – Location: Administrative Archive – Section: Embassy of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay in Venezuela / Series: Documents compiled regarding the “Breaking of Diplomatic Relations with Venezuela” / Year 1976 / Box 3 / Incomplete document.

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.

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.

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.

Telex C-367/24, dated 19 July 1976 (Clear), sent from the Embassy of Uruguay in Argentina (URUBAIRES) to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (DIPLOMACIA). It reports enquiries made with police and military authorities regarding cases of detained Uruguayan citizens. The telex also details a query made by news agencies to this Embassy concerning the disappearance of thirty (30) Uruguayans.

Location: Department of the Historical and Diplomatic Archive – Section: Embassy of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay in Argentina / Series: Security Matters – Information on Individuals / Year 1976 / Box 3 Confidential Documents / Folder H3-2 Part I / 1 page.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Verbal Note D-497/76, dated 12 August 1976, from the Embassy of Uruguay in Chile, to the Special Affairs Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Chile, requesting overflight and landing permission for a Uruguayan Air Force plane. Attached is an application form detailing the date and flight details.

Location: Department of Historical–Diplomatic Archives – Section: Embassy of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay in Chile / Series: Related Correspondence / Year 1976 / Box 64 / Folder 4 / 2 pages.

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.

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.

Meeting at Department of State to Discuss “Operation CONDOR”

This memorandum records a State Department meeting to discuss Operation Condor. Concerned by Condor's assassination plans, the State Department will send separate instructions to the US ambassadors in South American countries.

In this telegram, the State Department acknowledges that while it accepts that crossborder intelligence sharing may be 'useful', it firmly opposes alleged plans to assassinate 'subversives' in Condor member countries and abroad. It calls the US Embassies to 'engage with the highest level of government' in Argentina, Bolivia, and Uruguay to dissuade such attacks.

In this memo from Raymond Warren, CIA Chief of the Latin American Division, to the Deputy Director of the CIA, Warren expresses concern that Condor's assassination plans could have ramifications for the CIA's liaisons with Condor intelligence services as well as Western intelligence services.

The Chief of the CIA's Latin America Division, Raymond Warren, informs the CIA's Deputy Director of the potential political and security ramifications of Operation Condor.

The US State Department instructs the US Embassies in South America on Operation Condor, following US government concerns regarding planned assassinations within and outside of member countries' territories.