Costa Rica Calls Up Troops: Invaders 30 Miles Inland

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22819, 14 December 1948, Page 5

Costa Rica Calls Up Troops: Invaders 30 Miles Inland

(N.Z.P. A.—Reuter—Copyright.)

(11 a.m.) SAN JOSE, Dec. 13

The Costa Rican Government rushed the mobilisation of its recently disbanded army today to repel the invasion force which has now increased to 1500 troops from Nicaragua. The invaders have driven 30 miles across the frontier towards San Jose,

Reports from the front said the invaders are wearing shoulder patches identifying them as “Costa Rican Constitutional Commandos.”

Senor Figueres said that there was sharp fighting, in which the invaders had taken La Cruz, on the Costa Rica side of the border. He said the invading forces were supporting the former Costa Rican President, Senor Rafael Angel Caldreon Guardia, who fled after the revolution in April. •

Senor Figueres claimed that the Nicaraguan National Guard was the actual force behind the invasion, and only a few Costa Rican exiles were involved. He declared that the invasion meant “real war” with Nicaragua. Nicaraguan Denial.

In Managua, Nicaragua, General Anastasio Somoza, the Nicaraguan Minister of War, who heads the National Guard, denied that the invasion had been made from Nicaraguan territory. He said he had unconfirmed reports that Senor Guardia’s supporters had made a landing on the Costa Rican coast.

The invasion brings to a climax months of mounting political tension throughout Central America, the United Press says- Close observers see the invasion as a spark that could ignite a Central American powder keg. Only 11 days ago Senor Figueres dissolved the Costa Rican army with which he won the civil war last May. However, he retained a well-armed and trained police force, which is being used as the nucleus of a new army.

The Costa Rican authorities estimated today that the invading force which crossed the border from Nicaragua yesterday and seized La Cruz consists of not over 300 men.

La Cruz was garrisoned'by only 20 men.

Invasion Force Contained

A Government communique claimed today that the invasion force had been contained in a small area in the Northwestern extremity of Costa Rica. The Government has improvised a defence force to take the place of the army which was disbanded 10 days ago. The Government spokesman said to day: “Our trouble is not to contain the so-called rebels. Our real problem is to keep thousands of men from rushing to the border to repel the invaders.” I-Ie described the invaders as being “disguised in flashy blue uniforms.” In Managua, the Nicaraguan capital, the former Costa Rican president said that his aim was to oust the Figueres regime.

STATES CALLED ON TO KEEP PEACE

(10.30 a.m.) WASHINGTON, Dec. 13 The Council of the Organisation of American States, after its meeting today, informed the Costa Rican" and Nicaraguan Governments in identical telegrams that it would count on theii fullest co-operation to maintain order in America and collaborate in carrying out effective means to preserve peace The council decided to meet again on December 14 to determine whether the American Foreign Ministers should be called into consultation to consider the Costa Rican charges of invasion from Nicaragua. The president of the council, Senor Enrinue Corominas, of Argentina, said the Costa Rican Ambassador did not make any charge of aggression directly against Nicaragua. He contended that the armed forces of diverse Nationalists had invaded his country from Nicaragua. In San Jose, a Costa Rican authoritative source said tonight that Costa Rica might withdraw from the organisation of American States if no action was taken on its complaint.