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    "label": "Report, Central Intelligence Agency, Guatemala, Situation Report 46",
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    "title": "Report, Central Intelligence Agency, Guatemala, Situation Report 46",
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    "productionDates": [
        {
            "day": 27,
            "logicalDate": "1950-07-27",
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{
    "seq": 41,
    "pageIndex": 0,
    "type": "photo",
    "url": "https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/NARAprodstorage/lz/presidential-libraries/truman/hst-psf/602196/875515/875515-01-041.tif",
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    "ocrText": "SECRET\nCHAPTER V\nMILITARY SITUATION\n1. Genesis of the Present Military Policies.\ncountries. During the early years of inde-\npendence, hastily recruited armies represent-\nThe military organization of Guatemala is\ning either conservatives or liberals took part\nmaintained in accordance with the needs of a\nin the factional strife existing within the Cen-\nsmall underdeveloped country with weak\ntral American Federation. During the nine-\nneighbors. Its military capabilities are suf-\nteenth century, under the dictators Carrera\nficient for the maintenance of internal order\n(generally as the agent for a certain political\nand Barrios, Guatemalan armies actively in-\ntervened in the affairs of other Central Amer-\nfaction), for defense against attack by the\nican states. In the twentieth century, Guate-\narmed forces of a neighboring Central Ameri-\nmala has not been actively involved in an in-\ncan country, and for limited offensive opera-\nternational war, but has, at times, aided revo-\ntions against these same nations. Apart from\nlutionists plotting the overthrow of govern-\nits strictly military function, it is important\nments in neighboring countries. Although it\nas a respected agency through which an in-\nmust be prepared, in theory, to defend Guate-\ndividual may achieve social, economic, and\nmala from invasion and to take possible ag-\npolitical advancement. The army does, in\ngressive or retaliatory action, its actual role\nfact, offer opportunity to all classes. The\nEscuela Politécnica offers a classical educa-\nremains limited largely to the maintenance\nof internal order and the support of individu-\ntion in military science to members of the cul-\nals or factions seeking political advancement.\ntured upper class of largely European descent;\nadvancement within the ranks is a traditional\n2. The Current Military Situation.\nopportunity for capable soldiers of middle-\nThe Armed Forces of Guatemala consist of\nclass mestizo background; and men from the\nilliterate Indian lower classes, drafted under\nthe army, which includes the air force. There\nare no naval forces. The National Police, or\nthe universal military service law, may achieve\nsome limited advantages as a result of the ex-\nGuardia Civil, is a separate quasi-military or-\nganization whose officers have often had army\nperience in the army.\ntraining, but whose duties are normally lim-\nGuatemalan history substantiates the im-\nited to police functions, whose funds are pro-\nportance of the army as an agency for per-\nvided by the Ministry of Government and\nsonal advancement: military Dictator-Presi-\nwhose Director is in no way responsible to the\ndents have ranged from Carrera, an illiterate\nMinistry of Defense or the Chief of the Armed\nprovincial leader of predominantly Indian\nForces.\ndescent, to Ubico, a cultured upper class\nGuatemalan of Castillian ancestry. Under\nAlthough poor by most standards, the\nArévalo, the two most influential leaders were\nGuatemalan Army is superior to that of any\nthe late Colonel Arana, a competent and per-\nother Central American republic. As organ-\nsevering mestizo officer who had risen from\nized and equipped at the present time, it is\nthe ranks, and Lieutenant Colonel Arbenz, a\nadequate to defend the republic against Hon-\nbrilliant, cultured, graduate of the Military\nduras or El Salvador and to maintain internal\nAcademy of upper-class European ancestry.\nstability. However, it would be unable to\nGuatemalans have never seen combat serv-\nwithstand an attack from Mexico or contribute\nice except against domestic revolutionaries or\nto Hemisphere defense at home or abroad.\nthe forces of neighboring Central American\nThe army would be incapable of sustained\nSECRET\n39"
}