Meeting of the Nazi Party in Barranquilla (main activities of supporters of Hitler in Colombia), in a ceremony presided over by its chief Emil Pruefert.
Photo: Editorial Planeta, Bogotá.
Today, fifty years later, the script seems desilvanado a political satire. But historical truth: between 1941 and 1945, conspiracies against the totalitarian purposes Eduardo Santos and Liberal presidents Alfonso Lopez were almost wild. The group of conspirators, ranging from anonymous elevator to the main buildings in Bogotá until the Colombian military high command, acting under the influence of the Falange of the General, National Socialism of Hitler, fascism of Mussolini and, of course, the alureanismo of Laureano Gómez.
All attempts to overthrow the Liberal government except fragoso Pastured coup July 10, 1944 - were discovered in time: some, for the timely "breath" of a rebellious repented, others by the intelligence services Colombian and American. But why the Organization National Military National Catholic Action, the Legion and the Legion Colombian-that so-called conspiracy groups failed to shake the already turbulent political life. It was wartime and the need for the United States with respect to South America condensed into a final slogan: the uncompromising defense of the Western Hemisphere. In favor of this fact, agents of the FBI acted within the territory, and both the U.S. embassy and the State Department who saw Colombia as a hotbed of Nazi activity, due to its proximity to the Panama Canal and Hitler should have interest to control as strategic area, intervened in the internal affairs of Colombia without punches or flushes. Tertulia
Nazi. On the right, a Colombian army officer. These photographs were collected and recorded by the Colombian intelligence are preserved in the archives of the Foreign Ministry and published by the author of this article in his book "Colombia Nazi" (Planeta, 1986).
The first plot against President Santos began to take shape in May 1941 on five notebooks officer found a Presidential Guard battalion, which formed a detailed diary of the movement's activities and was discovered by Department Information of the General Staff of the Armed Forces. According to the Interior Minister, Jose Joaquin Castro Martínez, who presented a report to the senators involved in the coup were not only 11 NCOs from the Presidential Guard, but also about 200 members of the army and "numerous civilian elements", among which had the lift of the most important buildings in Bogota. Minister Castro also knew that Nazi propaganda had been found at sites of assembly and one of the elevator involved confessed that Laureano Gómez photograph hung on the walls where the conspirators met, the same source added that "the Conservative leader would be the dictator after removal of the government. " On this incident, the U.S. ambassador in Bogota, Spruille Braden, wrote to Washington: "Hitler is desperate to increase Nazi activities to the point of provoking coups in order to distract attention from the U.S. to South American countries rather focus on aid to England. Colombia's situation is not stable and I believe it will worsen. "
The idea that Laureanista wing Conservative Party, permeated by the totalitarian doctrines of Executive Colombian democracy threatened strike was a concern of liberals. Already in December 1940, José Umana Bernal, politician, poet and friend of Alfonso Lopez, trusting him to Vernon Fluharty, who, besides being his neighbor, was the third secretary at the U.S. embassy: "I am absolutely convinced that there will be a conservative-Nazi attempt come to power through a coup or revolution. I can not give specifics, but as a politician who knows what he speaks, we are convinced that the Conservative Party with the Nazi promise of aid. " Umana Bernal
not exaggerating, and was President Alfonso Lopez who bear the cross touched the constant threat of overthrow. In July 1943, when FBI boss J. informed Edgar Hoover in Washington: "The movement responsible for the revolution known as the National Organization is composed of army and navy, priests, lawyers, prominent personalities and a mass of followers from all social classes. The purpose of the movement is starting a revolution in different cities in order to establish a totalitarian regime similar to that of Franco in Spain. My source reports that the signal to begin the rolls will give a radio station in Bogota and the slogan is already fixed. "
La Voz de Colombia, which according to the FBI was "closely linked to the organ of the Conservative Party, the Century" - was the charge station transmit the slogan, but not enough to fulfill its mission because the plot was discovered and arrested the officers involved on the direct orders of President Lee. During the failed adventures, intelligence agencies knew that the chief conspirators calling you Ferreira Venancio, a doctor Barranquilla, "confessed Nazi." It was also learned that friends had read Axis ceased lists 50 guns, 11 light machine guns, cartridges 544 000 900 000 submachine guns and shotgun cartridges ..
However, there was no respite or discouragement. The group reorganized under the name National Military Action Catholic, another revolt prepared for the August 3, 1943, is say, a month later. according to agreed plans in Bogotá, I had to tune the radio conspirators army and once heard the slogan, the revolt would begin with the assassination of the commander of the Brigade of Barranquilla. As above, the attempt failed due to a repentant statement also said Laureano Gómez was one of the most radical members of the ANMC. Before year's end, the plot was revived, and new name: henceforth be called Colombian Legion. Its foundations were Catholic, anti-Semitism, nationalism, the struggle against political corruption and the resurgence parties Gran Colombia's military. The purpose: to install a provisional government totalitarian.
In the trances of the legionnaires to overthrow the government gave a report from the FBI. The agreed date was December 31 when the Te Deum, or the morning of January first, very early, when everyone was still asleep. The first outbreak would explode in Barranquilla, a general power cut, then the army would take the police station, the most liberal - and be devoted to convincing their members the benefits of the overthrow. The rebels were under orders to respect the lives and property of foreigners, but not the Jews. However, when things seemed to come, finally, by word of mouth, came to Barranquilla Jesuit priest Angel Ramirez, CEO of the Legion of Bogotá, with the news that the movement had to be postponed to January 6, 1944, as some unfaithful had warned the government of their plans and purposes. Neither did
January 6, since the accusation seemed gloating as the conspirators. Projects, then changed to February 9. That day, Colonel Luis Agudelo arrived with news of fresh capital. According to Agudelo, there were other groups as well as the Legion, interested in joining the revolution, former Finance Minister Alfonso Araújo, Carlos Arango Vélez and General Eduardo Bónitto. Also, several leaders of the Catholic Church and Academy Caro. The new plans were interrupted by the president's trip to America, as persistent rumor that Lopez would not return. But he returned and, with him at the presidential palace, recovered movement revived the enthusiasm and activity. Now, the first goal would not be the power company nor the police barracks, but the cell and the governor of the Atlantic. Airport control Soledad Avianca responsible driver, Alfonso Cuellar, Nazi confessed. Once lit the revolt in Barranquilla, Legions of the rest of the country would proceed with their plans.
adversity again fell upon the conspirators, for the February 9 Laureano Gomez was sent to prison in Bogota because, from El Siglo, had accused the government minister, Alberto Lleras Camargo, of interfering in the judicial investigation related Mamatoco murder. The Legionnaires interpreted the incident as a provocation to force officer to implement its plans, so I cited a rally in Independence Park, on 10 February at half past five in the afternoon, in protest at the imprisonment of Laureano, but just that day the politician had been released. However, Legionnaires decided that here in the park, expect the sign of La Voz de Colombia. We never expected that his call would come only a handful of people who were easily dispersed by the police.
imagen17.jpg (16,096 bytes)
Chart prepared by the FBI in 1942 over pro-Nazi sympathizers in the Colombian military. The State Department felt exaggerated these figures.
"Colombia Nazi, 1939-1945." Bogotá, Planeta, 1986.
The uprising was postponed to early March, but was canceled by notices sent by "Lucy", the alias Lucio Pabon Nunez, conservative representative Norte de Santander. But the calm was apparent and the restless, stubborn. Just a few days had passed since President Lee returned to Bogota, Barranquilla already received instructions to that legionaries activating their old habit of listening to the Voice of Colombia every day, from 7 to 8 am and 8: 30 to 10 at night. The slogans were different and would be released three days. Read as follows: The first day: "On 9 July gift to the Virgin of Chiquinquirá, the queen of Colombia, a golden scepter for all Colombians. Help you with this tribute. " The second day, confirming the key is know to hear the following message: "Editorial Jotadé makes you the best of printing from a card to a book. Workers need competent and honorable. Phone 16-25. " And as a final call, the legionnaires had to wait an almost heavenly slogan: "The Rosary save Colombia. You spread this devotion and subscribe to the magazine section air Rosary 232, Bogotá. "
This time, the rebels had decided to exclude from their payroll to general-Eduardo and Rafael E. Bónitto Pizarro-because they believed that they aspired to the presidency, but would not act without by ensuring the participation of the young officers, nor if they did not have the assistance of the German Max Groegel specializes in recognizing and identifying Jews. The signal, as always, ran on behalf of La Voz de Colombia. And also as usual, the plot was discovered and thwarted, and some Legionnaires arrested in June 1944. The new United States Ambassador, Arthur Bliss Lane, wrote to his superiors in the State Department in Washington: "President Lee, spontaneously yesterday addressed the issue of courts-martial. He said about 67 cases have been tried, some sentenced to prison and other Army discharged. There are also charges against the Voice of Colombia, accused the radio station to transmit the signals to start the revolution. The president said that although the move was widely infiltrated the army, he hoped that the situation was satisfactorily under control. " Little did
Alfonso Lopez of reality, since he had left government, Laureano Gomez, the conspiracies and conspirators, they would not give peace to his spirit. As recorded in national history, the July 10, 1944, the president was arrested and bound in an event dubbed the Colombians the coup in Pasto.
Bibliography
GALVIS SILVIA and ALBERTO DONADIO, Colombia Nazi. Bogotá, Planeta, 1986.
REPUBLIC OF COLOMBIA, In Defense of Colombian democracy. Bogotá, Imprenta Nacional, 1944.
MINISTERI0 REPUBLIC OF COLOMBIA-WAR, Tips verbal war. Bogotá, Imprenta of the General Staff, 1944.
Documents:
archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Presidency of the Republic and the Ministry of National Defense, Bogotá. National Archives, Washington (Record Group 59).
From: Credential History Magazine.
(Bogotá - Colombia). Issue 67 July 1995
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