NCJ Number
62564
Journal
SOUTH ATLANTIC QUARTERLY Volume: 60 Issue: 1 Dated: (WINTER 1961) Pages: 80-88
Date Published
1961
Length
9 pages
Annotation
THE TACTICS AND MOTIVES OF LATIN AMERICA ASSASSINS ARE PRESENTED WITH CONSIDERATION OF THE SECURITY MEASURES USED BY DICTATORS AND ELECTED POLITICIANS.
Abstract
FROM 1806 TO 1961, 28 POLITICIANS WERE ASSASSINATED IN LATIN AMERICA. IN BOLIVIA, SIX PRESIDENTS WERE KILLED; MEXICO AND HAITI, LIKE THE UNITED STATES, EACH LOST THREE PRESIDENTS IN ASSASSINATIONS. NEVERTHELESS, MANY DICTATORS AND POLITICIANS THWARTED VIOLENT ATTEMPTS ON THEIR LIVES, AND PRESIDENT CABRERA OF GUATEMALA SURVIVED SEVEN ASSASSINATION ATTEMPTS. ASSASSINS HAVE BEEN MOTIVATED BY HOPE FOR POLITICAL REFORM AND BY DESIRE FOR PERSONAL REVENGE. THE MACHINE GUNNING OF ANASTASIO SOMOZA IN 1956 HAS BEEN ATTRIBUTED TO 'A POSSIBLE DREAM OF MARTYRDOM AND APPARENT HATRED OF SOMOZA.' THE SUCCESS OF AN ASSASSIN, WHATEVER HIS MOTIVES, MUST DEPEND UPON CHOICE OF WEAPONS AND THE CAREFUL PLANNING AND HANDLING OF THE MURDER. ALTHOUGH THE ARCHETYPAL ASSASSIN IS PORTRAYED USING A BOMB, MOST LATIN AMERICA ASSASSINS USE REVOLVERS, RIFLES, OR MACHETES. ASSASSINS TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THEIR VICTIMS' DAILY OR WEEKLY SCHEDULES, SUCH AS IN PRESIDENT GILL OF PARAGUAY'S MURDER DURING HIS ROUTINE WALK. NO ADEQUATE PRECAUTIONS FOR EXECUTIVES WERE TAKEN BEFORE THE 1930'S, AND SEVERAL PRESIDENTS IN LATIN AMERICA, AS WELL AS IN THE UNITED STATES, WERE UNESCORTED AT THE TIME OF THEIR ASSASSINATION. HOWEVER, SUBSEQUENT IMPROVEMENTS IN PERSONAL SECURITY INCLUDE THE PROVISION OF BODYGUARDS FOR MOST CONTEMPORARY LEADERS. THE MAJORITY OF LATIN AMERICA ASSASSINS HAVE BEEN PROMPTLY EXECUTED, MOST WITHOUT BENEFIT OF PRIEST OR JURY. SOME WERE NEVER CAPTURED BUT LATER DIED IN REVOLUTIONARY FIGHTING. TRULY SUCCESSFUL ASSASSINS RECEIVED PAYMENT OR PROMOTION FROM THOSE BENEFITING FROM THE ASSASSINATION. NO REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (TWK)