High-profile assassinations in Argentina raise questions about regional cooperation

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.

Fourteen refugees captured or killed in a raid in Argentina

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.

US State Department warns embassies of the possible international repercussions of violent deaths of refugees

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.

Body of former Bolivian President Juan Jose Torres found in Argentina

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.

Washington Office on Latin America's (WOLA) report on murders of Uruguayans Michelini and Gutierrez Ruiz

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.

Secretary of State briefs US Embassy in Argentina about reported refoulment and assassination of Chilean refugees

The Secretary of State in Washington writes to the US Embassy in Argentina about concerns raised by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) regarding the refoulment and assassination of Chilean refugees in Argentina and the mistreatment of UNHCR personnel on the ground.

Warning from State Department about escalation of disappearances in Argentina

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.

Location of bodies of Uruguayans Michelini and Gutierrez Ruiz raises concerns among Uruguayan exiles in Argentina

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.

Expected Condor operations in Europe

This report mentions the plans for Condor to expand its activities to Europe. A training course is due to take place in early December 1976 in Buenos Aires. Two Uruguayans are expected to travel to Paris to perform unspecified activities. After allegedly finding out that the French knew about Operation Condor, Argentine and/or Chilean security officers informed the French security forces that Condor's operations in Europe would exclude France.

Brief overview of Operation Condor sent to US Ambassador to Paraguay

This brief sent to the US Ambassador to Paraguay provides an overview of the development of Operation Condor until August 1978. The document mentions that Peru and Ecuador had recently joined. It also highlights that cooperation between the respective member countries had existed prior to the formal establishment of Operation Condor in May 1976 during the meeting in Santiago, Chile. Alongside regular meetings and intelligence sharing, the document mentions that member countries had been involved in conducting training including psychological warfare.

Ecuador joins Condor

This CIA document records that Ecuador has joined Operation Condor with the name Condor 7. The Ecuadorian Army is responsible for intelligence reporting and sharing through the Directorate General of Intelligence; the Navy is responsible for telecommunications; and the air force is responsible for psychological warfare.

Argentine police offered to turn over Paraguayan Agustín Goiburú Giménez to Paraguayan police

The US Embassy in Paraguay shares reports with the State Department that the Argentine government had allegedly offered to exchange Paraguayan doctor and Colorado Party member, Agustín Goiburú Giménez for a political prisoner whom the Argentine police had turned over to the Paraguayan police in 1976. The United States has expressed concerns regarding the whereabouts of Goiburú's fellow Colorado Party leader, Epifanio Méndez Fleitas.

Text of the agreement by Condor countries regulating their operations against subversive targets and Teseo’s death squad operations

Text of the agreement by Condor countries regulating their operations against subversive targets is dated September 1976, entitled "Teseo Regulation, Operations Center,” which was distributed by the CIA in August 1977. It provides general guidelines for the overall planning of those operations to be undertaken, a staffing outline, financing, logistics, a selection of targets, communication and liaison, training and compartmentation and an end summary.

 

Intelligence services of Argentina, Chile and Uruguay preparing special teams to operate beyond their borders

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.

US intelligence on Uruguayan legislators, Zelmar Michelini and Héctor Gutiérrez Ruiz

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.

Selection of targets for Condor teams operating in 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.

Potential connection between Orlando Letelier's assassination in Washington and Operation Condor

This FBI document shares intelligence on the third phase of Operation Condor involving the planned assassination of key political opponents in non-member countries. Target countries identified in Europe include France and Portugal. The FBI states that it has no evidence that Condor plans to undertake activities in the US; however the involvement of Condor in the assassination of Chilean diplomat Orlando Letelier in Washington is not 'outside the realm of possibility'.

Agreement of Condor countries for implementing 'Teseo' death squad operations

This is a copy obtained by the CIA of the 'text of the agreement by Condor countries regulating their operations against subversive targets'- a detailed planning paper on financing, staffing, logistics, training, and selection of targets for Condor's 'Teseo' death squad operations. The Teseo Operations Centre would be based in Buenos Aires.

Establishment of a special unit codenamed “Teseo” to carry out attacks against JCR members and supporters

During a Condor conference held in Santiago, in late May 1976, the Condor members proposed the establishment of a special unit codenamed “Teseo” to carry out physical attacks against members and supporters of the JCR. Bolivia later declined to participate in Teseo.

Activities of Operation Condor outside of Condor countries

Activities of Operation Condor outside of Condor countries. The document claims that the assassination of the former Chilean Ambassador to the US, Orlando Letelier, had shown the Condor countries that political assassinations of ‘extremists’ abroad had detrimental effects on Condor countries. It warns that such future activities would result in retaliatory measures by the US against the accused country.

Argentine SIDE Director Laidlaw named the new Chief for Operation Condor

Confirmation that the then Director of the Argentine State Secretariat for Intelligence (SIDE), General Carlos Enrique Laidlaw, had been named the new Chief for Operation Condor at the last meeting of Condor representatives in Buenos Aires. The document also reveals the psychological warfare conducted by Operation Condor through the media of member countries.

Failed Condor operation in Argentina raises doubts on the effectiveness of crossborder collaboration

This CIA document reports that Argentina and one other Condor member country (name blocked out) had undertaken a failed operation against three targets in Argentina. This incident has raised doubts among the security forces of the unnamed member country regarding the effectiveness of crossborder cooperation given that too many individuals now know about Condor. 

“Chilbom” Cable on Operation Condor and Letelier’s murder

This communication outlines the three phases of Operation Condor, according to a confidential source from the Argentine Army Intelligence Service. Notably, the document states that- as part of phase three- a special team had been organised in Argentine comprising members of the Argentine Army Intelligence Service and the State Secretariat for Information (SIDE), which was being prepared to carry out future operations in non-member countries.

Selection of targets for special Condor teams to operate in Europe

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.

Meeting of Intelligence Services in Argentina and Arrangements for Future Cooperation among them

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.

Condor countries decide to temporarily suspend plans to operate in Europe

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.

Creation of new countersubversive unit within Argentine Federal Police to combat Montoneros

This CIA document reports that a new countersubversive unit has been created within the Federal Security Section of the Argentine Federal Police to strengthen the fight against subversion (particularly the Montoneros). The new unit is organised by an officer from the Army's 601 Intelligence Battalion but is staffed by police personnel.

Documents of the Revolutionary Coordinating Junta (JCR) related to its activities in Europe and Latin America

Documents of the Revolutionary Coordinating Junta (JCR) related to its activities in Europe and Latin America. The document reports that the JCR met with human rights organisations in Geneva regarding the situation of political refugees. Subsequently, it indicates the whereabouts of certain JCR members.

Preparation of a special team in Buenos Aires for phase three of Operation Condor

The US Embassy in Buenos Aires shares intelligence from an anonymous source connected to the Argentine Army Intelligence Service regarding Operation Condor. The document mentions that a special team has been organised in Argentina composed of member of the Argentine Army Intelligence Service and the State Secretariat for Information (SIDE), which are being prepared for possible future action under the third phase of Operation Condor (involving targeted attacks against high-level political opponents outside member countries).

Argentine regime pressures Paraguay to join Condor action unit, Teseo

In this document, the CIA reports on the pressure from the Argentine military regime for Paraguay to join "Teseo", an action unit established by member countries of Operation Condor to conduct physical attacks against political opponents of the Southern Cone's military regimes. Teseo is based at the 601 Intelligence Battalion in Buenos Aires.