Tlatelolco Massacre – The Secret Archives:
Courtesy of the U.S. National Security Archive
Document 1
3/28/68
CIA Special National Intelligence Estimate
Security Conditions in Mexico
Secret
In preparation for a visit to Mexico City by Vice President Hubert Humphrey, the CIA issues a special assessment of security conditions in Mexico. Written several months before the first serious wave of student demonstrations began, the document describes the country as a model of stability, with President Diaz Ordaz firmly in control and a ruling party which “virtually monopolizes Mexican politics.”
Document 2
7/19/68
CIA Weekly Summary
Student Unrest Troubles Mexico
Secret
When students launch a series of country-wide protests in July, initial U.S. reporting out of Mexico alerts Washington to several issues that come up again and again in subsequent documents: the potential danger posed by the strikes to the Olympic Games, their political significance, and the role of the “international” left. This CIA analysis discusses Cuban influence on a student strike at the University of Veracruz. Demonstrators seek to disrupt the Olympic games, although the PRI electoral fraud in local and gubernatorial elections also may serve as cause for further unrest.
Document 3
7/31/68
White House memorandum
Student Disturbances in Mexico City (7/30/68 U.S. Embassy cable attached, untitled)
Secret, Bowdler to LBJ
Mexican authorities claim to have “solid evidence” that the Mexican Communist Party, with Soviet complicity, engineered the July 26 riot. The U.S. Embassy does not have corroborating evidence, but suggests that Moscow may have ordered riot to counteract impact of events in the Czechoslovakia.
Document 4
8/2/68
CIA Weekly Summary
Students Stage Major Disorder in Mexico
Secret
The July 26 riot provides a classic example of Communist agitation techniques. Document questions Mexican claims of Soviet complicity, however, as USSR does not want to undermine its good relations with Mexico.
Document 5
c. 8/15/68
DIA Intelligence Information Report
Troops Used to Help Quell Mexico City Student Riots
Confidential
Report provides a chronological account of Mexican military involvement in disbanding student protests in Mexico City during the week of July 29. While the report states that the military performed “creditably,” it also notes some charges of “over-reaction,” such as the alleged “hazing” of students inside one school. The Mexican Government denies reports that 4 students were killed during the disturbances. Generals Mazon and Ballasteros head a special military “Task Force” to deal with the situation of unrest.
Document 6
8/23/68
CIA Weekly Review
Mexican Government in a Quandary Over Student Crisis
Top Secret
CIA says the Mexican Government may be underestimating students’ ability to continue large-scale, disciplined demonstrations. The present impasse is due to the Government’s belief that a) giving in to students would invite further demands and b) ignoring situation most likely will lead to further disruption. Document claims that Communist youths are involved in the crisis. CIA says that further violent outbreaks can be expected.
Document 7
8/29/68
White House message
Student Situation in Mexico (8/29/68 U.S. Embassy cable attached, Student Situation)
Confidential, Rostow to LBJ
Rostow reports to President Johnson that the Mexican Government’s conciliatory strategy has not quelled student disturbances, and a return to a “get-tough, no-nonsense posture” is inevitable. Rostow claims that while the violence is not likely to affect Diaz Ordaz’s administration, it will no doubt affect the Olympics in a negative manner.
Document 8
8/30/68
CIA Intelligence Information Cable
Mexican Military Alert for Possible Cuban Infiltration of Arms Destined for Student Use
[Classification excised]
CIA source claims that Cuba is prepared to smuggle arms to students for September demonstrations in Mexico. In response, Mexican Navy and army troops along the coast are put on high alert.
Document 9
9/6/68
CIA Weekly Summary
Mexican Government Stalls Student Movement
Secret
While the Mexican Government has made minor concessions to protesting students, the approach of the Olympics will most likely lead the Diaz Ordaz administration to meet further demonstrations with very tough measures.
Document 10
9/9/68
CIA Intelligence Information Cable
Situation Appraisal: Status of the Mexico City Student Movement
[Classification excised]
Cable states that students are increasingly organized, and able to exercise some influence on national affairs. The Mexican Government has not been unified in action against the protesters, and President Diaz Ordaz continues to avoid becoming personally involved. While no hard evidence exists that Cubans or Soviets masterminded the student demonstrations, the Mexican Government continues to inspire such rumors. Cable concludes that “the old order is passing” and the PRI has lost control over public behavior.
Document 11
9/13/68
CIA Weekly Summary
Mexican Students Still Spar with Government
Secret
CIA refers to the Mexican Government’s “behind the scenes maneuvering to divide the students,” including efforts by the officially-inspired “committee of the authentic student body” to quash future student strikes.
Document 12
9/19/68
White House message
Untitled
Confidential, Rostow to LBJ
Rostow alerts President Johnson to the military’s decision to occupy UNAM in response to the student strike and take-over of university buildings.
Document 13
9/24/68
DIA Intelligence Information Report
Army Intervenes on Additional Occasions in Mexico City Student Situation
Confidential
Report states that Mexican Army troops were again employed to disperse protesting students, from 8/28 into the month of September. The period marked the first known involvement of troops from outside Mexico City, indicating the increasing seriousness of the matter. The September 18 occupation of UNAM also indicates that the position of the Mexican Government is hardening.
Document 14
9/26/68
FBI memorandum
Olympic Games, Mexico City, Mexico: October 12-27, 1968
Confidential, Sullivan to Wannall
FBI goes on alert for movement of “U.S. subversive elements” into Mexico, which the agency believes may try to disrupt Olympics and participate in student uprisings.
Document 15
9/27/68
CIA Weekly Review
Violence Grows in Mexican Student Crisis
Top Secret
CIA reports “stresses” on and within the Mexican political establishment stemming from student unrest and the increasingly violent confrontations between protesters and the Mexican security forces.
Document 16
9/27/68
White House memorandum
Security Considerations in Mr. Nixon’s Planned Visit to Mexico (9/26/68 CIA intelligence estimate attached, with cover memo)
Secret, Rostow to LBJ
CIA expresses concerns about security conditions in Mexico and suggests that Nixon cancel his plans to visit Mexico during the Olympics. If he does go, the CIA document warns, Mexican security forces would have hard time protecting him, and “anti-U.S. extremists” would cause “some nasty incidents.”
Document 17
c. 10/1/68
FBI letter
Olympic Games, Mexico City, Mexico – October 12-27, 1968
Confidential
Document discusses potential threats to the Olympic games. These include individual US citizens with histories of subversive activity and anti-Castro Cubans, who are expected to try and harass Cuban athletes during the games. The FBI urges that information about potential subversives be provided to the U.S. and Mexican Governments.
Document 18
10/4/68
CIA Weekly Summary
A Renewed Violence in Mexico
Secret
New violence (Tlatelolco) puts Government of Mexico’s ability to safeguard Olympics in jeopardy. All military zone commanders have been granted the authority to “move against disorderly students.”
Document 19
10/5/68
White House memorandum
Mexican Riots – Extent of Communist Involvement (10/5/68 CIA memorandum and 10/5/68 FBI cable attached)
Secret, Rostow to LBJ
CIA concludes that recent student unrest was sparked by domestic conditions. Cuban and Soviet involvement was limited to moral and some financial support. The FBI reports Communist/Trotskyist groups formed the Olympia Brigade, a “shock group” which allegedly initiated the shooting at Tlatelolco on 10/2.
Document 20
10/8/68
FBI cable
Olympic Games, Mexico City, Mexico, October Twelve – Twenty Seven, Nineteen Sixty Eight
Confidential, Director FBI to LEGAT Mexico City
To protect U.S. athletes during the Olympics, the FBI must establish a liaison in the U.S. Embassy for channeling information to U.S. Olympic team officials regarding safety concerns. Cable emphasizes the necessity of concealing the FBI’s role to avoid jeopardizing ongoing FBI operations in Mexico.
Document 21
c. 10/8/68
CIA report
Answers to Questions Raised by White House Concerning Student Disturbances in Mexico (10/9/68 White House cover memorandum attached)
Secret, Lewis to Rostow
CIA addresses issues raised by FBI sources and concludes a) no evidence exists of significant foreign influence in riots, b) external influences included moral support and some financial support, but not the supply of weapons, and c) the Trotskyist “Brigada Olympia” was developed with the intentions of interfering with the Olympic games.
Document 22
10/12/68
Department of State telegram
Untitled [Mexico Riots] (10/14/68 White House cover memorandum attached)
Confidential
The U.S. Embassy states that, contrary to official Mexican reports, direct foreign involvement in the student uprisings has been “essentially negligible.” Rather, newer and more extreme student elements are responsible for the continued unrest and riots such as that which occurred at Tlatelolco on 10/2. The Mexican Government has increased military pressure with the intention of seizing the leaders of the extremist student groups. Document states that the foreign influence argument has been used by the Mexican Government to divert attention away from deep local problems.
Document 23
10/18/68
DIA Intelligence Information Report
Army Participation in Student Situation, Mexico City
Confidential
Report provides a chronological account of the Army’s role in controlling student uprisings from 9/24 through 10/18. With regards to Tlatelolco, report states that on 9/30, troops withdrew from the UNAM campus, which they had occupied since 9/18. Also on 9/30, the Mexican Defense Minister instructed military zone commanders throughout the country to move against student disturbances “without waiting for instructions.” Report provides a key overview of the events of 10/2 at Tlatelolco and the days immediately following.
Document 24
10/22/68
DIA Intelligence Information Report
Mexican Army Preparations to Cope with Future Student Disturbances in Mexico City
Confidential
Following the close of the Olympic games and the expected return of students to classes, the Mexican military expects a resurgence in student protest activity. To counter possible future violence, the military is training two special 1,500-man units, one of which carries the name “Brigada Olympia.”
Document 25
10/23/68 DIA Intelligence Information Report
Status of Brig. Gen. Jose Hernandez Toledo
Confidential
Gen. José Hernández Toledo, wounded at Tlatelolco, is recovering at a Mexican military hospital. A source tells the DIA that the Mexican Army “had taken good care” of the 18 foreigners (including some Cubans) involved in the events at Tlatelolco. When asked to clarify, the source said “good care” meant detention.
Document 26
11/1/68 CIA Weekly Summary
Mexican Government Readies for More Student Trouble
Secret
Although it is unclear whether students will continue the strike, this document suggests that the “new left” (extremists) within the student movement seek to prolong the unrest and continue their provocations against the Mexican Government. Mexican officials are preparing for future violence.
Document 27
c. 11/15/68
INR Working Draft (extract)
Student Violence and Attitudes in Latin America
Confidential
According to this draft analysis of student unrest in Latin America, the disorders in Mexico are the worst in the hemisphere. The continued violence demonstrates a deep and widespread dissatisfaction with the Government of Mexico, and has severely damaged Mexico’s reputation as being the “most stable and progressive country in Latin America.”
Document 28
12/6/68
CIA Weekly Summary
Mexican Student Strike Apparently Waning Secret
Document states that despite intermittent attacks by extremist groups, the student strike in Mexico is nearly over. In the wake of a student vote to end the strike, class attendance is rising.
Document 29
1/17/69
CIA Weekly Summary Special Report
Challenges to Mexico’s Single-Party Rule
Secret
As students return to classes, the “authentic context” to student strikes is becoming clear: the demonstrations of 1968 represent a strong warning to the Government of Mexico. Although Mexican officials claimed “outside agitation” was the basis of the unrest, document states that most reports linking the student movement to subversion remain unsubstantiated. Finally, document states that the events at Tlatelolco caused severe political damage to the Mexican Government.
Document 30
c. 3/24/69
DIA Intelligence Information Report
General Officers in Disfavor with Secretary of Defense
Confidential
Generals Ballesteros Prieto and Luis Gutierrez Oropeza are both out of favor with the Minister of Defense because they ignored his orders to keep troops out of Tlatelolco. According to source, soldiers were merely supposed to surround students and observe with the intention of confining the demonstrators to that part of the city.
