◆ SpookStack

~ ~ •. arranging for a behlnd the scenes conrerence between Ydigoras and the_ MDN [Cruz Salazar's party]. A "deal" was arranged whereby the assembly would elect Ydigoras and the MDN would get three seats in the cabinet, forgiveness for the sins committed under the Castillo regime, and a financial "pay-off" to Cruz and other MDN leaders. On 12 February 1958 the Assembly elected Ydigoras as President. 1/ In the interval from the election of Ydigoras until the announcement of Eisenhower's anti-Castro program, both the government of Guatemala and, through the Agency, the United States Government began to focus closer attention on Fidel Castro's revolution which led to the overthrow of the Batista government at the beginning of 1959. Although the Department of State hesitated to classify Castro as a communist, there was little doubt among Clandestine Services personnel about the direction in which Castro was tending; and by the early part of 1960, it was clear that the Government of Guatemala (GOG) was willing to take some risks in opposition to Fidel Castro. Not only did Guatemala sever official relations with Cuba, but before the end of February 1960, President Ydigoras . offered the use of his territory to support propaganda activities directed against Castro; and he also made - 2 - TOP;lET