El Codo del Diablo - Costa Rica Documental 2014

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• No specific information provided in the transcript.

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• No specific information provided in the transcript.

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The chief of the general staff of the Costa Rican army informs about an attack on a military vehicle by a group of communist individuals. Soldiers repelled the attack.

Attack on Military Vehicle

• A motokar carrying five military personnel was attacked by a group of communist individuals.

• The attack took place at a location called "El Codo del [__]."

• The soldiers immediately responded and repelled the attack.

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The speaker shares a childhood memory about his first day of school and his father's emphasis on education.

First Day of School and Father's Emphasis on Education

• The speaker recalls his first day of school in first grade, holding his father's hand.

• His father placed great importance on education, having completed schooling until sixth grade himself.

• His father constantly reminded him throughout the years to strive for academic success, promising rewards upon completing sixth grade.

• With determination and support from his father, he successfully completed sixth grade.

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The speaker reflects on how his father's interest in social justice and political activities grew over time.

Father's Interest in Social Justice and Political Activities

• The speaker believes that his father's heart and mind were gradually preparing for future political involvement as he became passionate about social justice teachings found in the Bible.

• His father embraced both religious practices and participation in political party meetings, eventually becoming a union leader in Turrialba and Limón.

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The speaker recounts an incident where his father was detained by soldiers on the day of his sixth-grade graduation.

Detention of Father on Graduation Day

• On the day of the speaker's sixth-grade graduation, a group of 30 to 40 armed soldiers arrived at their house.

• They demanded that Federico Picado be detained by order of the Minister of Justice.

• The speaker's father assured him not to worry and left with the soldiers.

• This was the last time they saw him.

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The speaker discusses how his father's interest in social justice led him to embrace Protestantism and become involved in political activities.

Father's Interest in Social Justice and Political Activities

• Missionaries from the United States introduced his father to Protestantism, which resonated with his beliefs in social justice and Jesus' teachings about caring for the poor.

• His father attended both church services and political party meetings, eventually becoming a leader in both Turrialba and Limón.

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The speaker explains how his parents moved to Limón due to his father's involvement in union leadership.

Move to Limón for Union Leadership

• The political party asked his parents to move to Limón so that his father could take on a leadership role in union activities.

• They relocated around 1941 or 1942.

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The speaker describes their arrival in Limón and their awe at seeing the sea for the first time.

Arrival in Limón

• Arriving in Limón was an emotional experience for them, especially when they reached a place called "El Tajamar" and saw the vastness of the sea.

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The speaker reflects on the cultural differences they encountered in Limón, including language and music.

Cultural Differences in Limón

• The people in Limón had a different culture compared to Cartago, with a distinct language (English Creole) and unique customs.

• The speaker mentions the influence of English and English Creole on various aspects of life, including food and music.

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The speaker reminisces about their grandfather's involvement in banana production and his participation in the first banana strike.

Grandfather's Involvement in Banana Production and Strike

• The speaker's maternal grandfather was a small-scale banana producer.

• During times of low prices and overproduction, larger companies would not accept bananas from small producers.

• This motivated his grandfather to actively participate in the first banana strike in 1934.

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The speaker explains that their father was also involved in banana production but did not suffer financial ruin like many others. He worked during the 1934 strike, which led to subsequent persecution.

Father's Involvement in Banana Production and Persecution

• While their father was involved in banana production, he did not face financial ruin like many others.

• He received land as compensation for his work with United Fruit Company.

• His participation during the 1934 strike became the basis for subsequent persecution.

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The speaker discusses how their father continued to be an active union leader alongside prominent figures such as Todavía Barrio and Carlos Luis Fallas during labor struggles.

Father's Role as Union Leader

• Their father remained an active union leader, working alongside Todavía Barrio and Carlos Luis Fallas during labor struggles.

• Carlos Luis Fallas, in particular, played a significant role as a leader during the famous banana strike in Limón.

• The speaker mentions that the history of the banana strike is yet to be fully documented.

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The speaker highlights the lack of worker protection and labor laws during that time, leading to brutal treatment by the government towards those involved in strikes.

Lack of Worker Protection and Government Brutality

• There were no worker protections or labor laws at that time.

• The government subjected individuals

Why are they so ugly?

The speaker discusses the perception of something being "ugly" and its implications.

Perception of ugliness

• The speaker questions why certain things are considered "ugly" by society.

• They express curiosity about the factors that contribute to this perception.

Relationship with Calor y Fallas and social sentiment

The speaker talks about their father's involvement with the labor movement and influential leaders in Limón.

Father's involvement in labor movement

• The speaker's father had a strong social sentiment and followed the footsteps of Calor y Fallas, a labor union in Limón.

• He visited important local areas such as Siquirres Huapi, where he met influential leaders.

• There are several neighborhoods named after Tobias Barrio, one of those leaders.

Nomination as councilman

The speaker mentions that their father was nominated as a councilman during the next national election.

Nomination as councilman

• In the following national election, their father was appointed as a councilman.

• His position held great significance among the people of Limón.

Social reform in Costa Rica

The speaker highlights the importance of social reform in Costa Rica during the 1940s and its impact on contemporary society.

Significance of social reform

• The social reform in Costa Rica during the 1940s placed the country at the forefront of social change in Latin America.

• This reform laid the foundation for modern-day Costa Rica.

Danger from popular force

The speaker mentions the potential danger posed by a popular force or political movement.

Potential danger from popular force

• There is a perceived risk from the reaction and strength of a popular force.

• The speaker emphasizes the importance of acting in the best interest of Costa Rica rather than personal interests.

Father's election as a deputy

The speaker recalls their father's election as a deputy and the support he received from the people.

Election as a deputy

• In the next national elections, Limón was entitled to only one deputy.

• Their father, representing Vanguardia Popular party, won with strong support from the people.

Becoming an elected deputy

The speaker recounts how their father received official recognition as an elected deputy but faced challenges when it came to fulfilling his constitutional duties.

Challenges as an elected deputy

• Despite being declared an elected deputy through official documentation, their father faced difficulties in fulfilling his role due to unforeseen circumstances.

Perception of dictatorship and revolutionary sentiment

The speaker discusses a growing perception of dictatorship and revolutionary sentiment among certain groups in Costa Rica.

Perception of dictatorship and revolution

• A group of individuals believed that Costa Rica was being governed by a dictatorship, although this was not entirely true.

• Some considered it to be a communist dictatorship.

• They believed that revolution was necessary for change and saw it as the only way to confront this perceived dictatorship.

Civil war triggered by annulment of presidential elections

The speaker reflects on how the annulment of presidential elections served as a trigger for the civil war in Costa Rica.

Annulment of presidential elections

• The annulment of the 1948 presidential elections served as a fundamental trigger for the civil war.

• The Congress of the Republic nullified the elections due to mutual accusations of fraud between political parties.

• The speaker believes that political interests and historical circumstances played a significant role in the outbreak of the revolution.

Revolution and loss of lives

The speaker acknowledges that many lives were lost during the revolution, which lasted only a few weeks.

Revolution and casualties

• In 1948, various political factions existed, including communists, Calderonistas (supporters of Calderón Guardia), right-wing groups, and intellectuals.

• Figueres formed an alliance called "Legión Caribe" with foreign volunteers from different Caribbean countries to overthrow the government.

• Many communist fighters died during the conflict, despite not having access to superior weapons.

Communist perception and defense of social guarantees

The speaker reflects on how some communist fighters believed they were defending social guarantees against oligarchy during the revolution.

Communist perception and motivation

• Many communist fighters joined the revolution because they believed that it was their historic role to defend social guarantees against oligarchy.

• They saw previous governments as providing these guarantees since 1942.

• However, they faced challenges as they were not provided with adequate weapons compared to other factions involved in the conflict.

Introduction of Licenciado Gonzalo Jota Paseo Secreto

In this section, the transcript introduces Licenciado Gonzalo Jota Paseo Secreto, a prominent member of the Junta de Gobierno (Government Board). The interview with him is scheduled for November 8th. The significance of their rise to power through force and their peaceful transfer of power to the elected president is highlighted.

Licenciado Gonzalo Jota Paseo Secreto's Background

• Licenciado Gonzalo Jota Paseo Secreto is a member of the Junta de Gobierno.

• They came to power through force but peacefully transferred it to the elected president.

• The army that helped them achieve power was dissolved.

• Their government has demonstrated that neither dictatorship nor right-wing regimes are alternatives to combat communism.

Revolutions in America and Dissolution of Military

This section discusses the revolution within revolutions in America and the symbolic act of dissolving the military in Costa Rica.

Revolution Within Revolutions

• The government claims to have achieved a revolution within revolutions in America.

• This statement is made proudly, echoing Figueres' phrase.

Dissolution of Military

• A gathering takes place at Cuartel Bellavista where diplomats, army officers, government officials, and students are invited.

• José Figueres symbolically strikes a wall at a museum, signifying the elimination of militarism in Costa Rica.

• However, it should be noted that while the army was dissolved, military culture remained present in the country.

Persecution after 1948 War

After the war in 1948, a massive persecution campaign was unleashed, particularly targeting members of the Vanguardia Popular party and those who held different political views.

• There was an intense persecution campaign against members of the Vanguardia Popular party.

• The Communist Party was banned by Figueres' government.

• People who held different political views were targeted for elimination.

• The objective was to instill fear and discourage political involvement.

The "Codo del Diablo" Incident

The "Codo del Diablo" incident is discussed, highlighting its importance in understanding the calculated terror tactics employed in Costa Rica.

• The speaker mentions the significance of the "Codo del Diablo" incident.

• A Nicaraguan military captain had encounters with commanders of the Liberation Army.

• Eight days prior to this interview, there was a heated argument between the captain and Commander Pacheco at a local bar.

• The captain was detained by Pacheco but managed to escape back to Nicaragua.

Detention and Violence

This section describes incidents of detention and violence faced by individuals who held different political views during that time.

• A neighbor, Captain Sotomayor from the Caribbean region, had encounters with military commanders from the Liberation Army.

• He was detained and taken away while his pregnant wife watched helplessly from their second-floor hotel room.

• Soldiers entered their home, causing chaos and distress. Sotomayor emerged bloodied but defiantly boarded a truck before leaving.

Detention of Influential Figures

This section discusses how influential figures were detained as part of government measures. Even minors were not exempted from imprisonment.

Detention Measures

• As part of government measures, influential figures were detained.

• The speaker's grandfather was among those detained.

• Despite being a minor at the time, the speaker was also imprisoned.

Arrest of Vanguardia Popular Leaders

This section describes the arrest of Vanguardia Popular leaders and personal experiences during that time.

• On December 19th, several Vanguardia Popular leaders, including Federico Picado, Octavio Saints, Lucio Ibarra, and the speaker's father, were arrested.

• The speaker went to the cinema that night and returned to find out about their arrests.

Imprisonment and Living Conditions

This section discusses imprisonment conditions and the large number of people held in prison.

• Approximately 300 people were imprisoned in a Limón jail.

• Sleeping arrangements were cramped due to overcrowding.

Conclusion

The transcript provides insights into the rise to power of Licenciado Gonzalo Jota Paseo Secreto and their peaceful transfer of power. It highlights the dissolution of the military and subsequent persecution campaigns against political opponents. The "Codo del Diablo" incident is mentioned as an example of calculated terror tactics employed during that time. Personal experiences of detention and violence are shared, emphasizing the widespread impact on individuals who held different political views.

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This section discusses a violent incident involving the speaker's father and other prisoners.

Violent Incident at the Prison

• The speaker witnesses a violent incident where prisoners are shot.

• The speaker's father is taken away to San José, leaving the speaker with instructions to bring him personal belongings.

• The speaker arrives at the prison but is told that his father has been taken to San José.

• The speaker returns home and prepares to visit his father in San José.

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This section describes the journey of the speaker to visit his father in San José.

Journey to Visit Father

• The speaker boards a train and gets off at Atlántico station.

• Following his mother's instructions, he heads west until he reaches Farmacia Ficher.

• He asks for directions to the penitentiary and continues on his way.

• While walking through a crowd, someone grabs him and it turns out to be his uncle's wife.

• She mistakenly thinks he is there to visit her husband but he clarifies that he is going to the penitentiary.

• She takes him home instead.

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This section highlights an emotional reunion between the speaker and his father.

Reunion with Father

• The speaker arrives at his uncle's house with his uncle's wife.

• They enter the house together, and there are voices coming from inside.

• When they reach a room, the speaker sees someone embracing him tightly. It turns out to be his father.

• This moment is deeply emotional for the speaker, who will never forget it.

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In this section, an interview takes place regarding an attack on political prisoners.

Interview about Attack on Prisoners

• The speaker is asked if he was one of the individuals who transported political prisoners on the night of December 19.

• He confirms that they took the prisoners to San José.

• During the journey, there were gunshots and the speaker abandoned the car.

• After a brief period of calm, they returned to Siquirres and informed the commander in Limón about the attack.

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This section discusses suspicions surrounding the deaths of political prisoners.

Suspicions Surrounding Prisoner Deaths

• The interviewer asks if the prisoners were handcuffed in pairs, but the speaker clarifies that none of them were handcuffed.

• In Turrialba, it was claimed that they were handcuffed, which raised suspicions as none of them had gunshot wounds.

• One prisoner's body was found with handcuffs because they got stuck when trying to remove them.

• The speaker mentions that some people started suspecting that these were communist killings due to their treatment and how their bodies were found.

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This section includes personal observations made by family members regarding the deaths of political prisoners.

Personal Observations on Prisoner Deaths

• The speaker personally identified his son's body with two wounds: one in his temple and another in his throat.

• Another family member confirmed seeing her father's body with discoloration from his wrist to fingertips due to tight handcuffing.

• The speaker expresses a desire for a thorough investigation into his husband's murder as she is now left alone with two young children.

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This section involves questioning inconsistencies related to the attack on political prisoners.

Questioning Inconsistencies

• One person claims that they were attacked, but the speaker questions how only the prisoners were killed.

• The speaker mentions that they took cover near the car while the prisoners moved forward, which raises doubts about the attackers' claims.

• The bodies of the prisoners had gunshot wounds from the front, indicating a machine gun was used.

• The speaker expresses confusion and disbelief at these inconsistencies.

Timestamps have been associated with bullet points as requested.

The Role of Military Jurisdiction in a Democratic Regime

This section discusses the issue of military jurisdiction and its compatibility with a democratic regime. It highlights that the accused individuals were charged with the crime of homicide against political prisoners, even though they were not benefiting from military immunity.

Military Jurisdiction and Homicide Charges

• The prosecution argues that military jurisdiction contradicts our democratic system.

• The accused are charged with committing homicide against political prisoners who were not members of the military.

Lack of Military Immunity

• The accused individuals do not benefit from military immunity.

• One of them, Hernán Campos, confesses to the truth of the events as they occurred.

Details of the Incident

• Upon reaching a location called "Alcohol [__]," the motor began to stall.

• The captain ordered the detainees to get out and instructed others to reverse the motor.

• Suddenly, Zúñiga and Valverde opened fire on the detainees while they were still handcuffed.

• All detainees fell, and Valverde approached Octavio Sabes, who was not completely dead, and shot him. He did the same to Federico Picado.

Conviction and Escape

• The three defendants (Manuel Zúñiga Girón, Luis Valverde Quirós, Clarencio Out Alvarado) were convicted for murder.

• They received a sentence of 30 years in prison but never served it in Costa Rica.

• None of them fulfilled their sentence as they had opportunities to leave or were taken out.

Concealment and International Connections

This section delves into how the crime was concealed and suggests possible international connections. It also mentions similar incidents occurring throughout Latin America.

Concealment of the Crime

• The government had an interest in hiding the crime.

• The three convicted individuals, who were police officers, left the country without any trouble.

• Venezuela's government arrested one of them and informed Costa Rica. They handed him over, and he was taken away on a plane.

International Connections and Planned Crimes

• There are indications that the crime was part of a national plan to eliminate leaders across the country.

• The plan allegedly originated from high-ranking officials in the US embassy, including CIA elements.

• Similar incidents occurred throughout Latin America.

Political Context and Ramifications

This section explores the political context surrounding the events and suggests that there were significant ramifications for certain political figures.

Political Significance of Limón

• Limón had only one elected communist deputy, Federico.

• This posed a serious threat to certain individuals or groups.

• It is possible that this entire situation was orchestrated from higher spheres due to political interests.

Orchestration and International Ramifications

• The speaker believes that the crime at Codo del Diablo was part of a national plan to eliminate leaders across Costa Rica.

• The plan was allegedly conceived at the US embassy with involvement from high-ranking government officials and CIA elements.

• This event has left an indelible mark on Costa Rican politics.

Personal Experience and Loss

In this section, the speaker shares personal experiences related to their father's death and reflects on their lasting impact.

Dreaming about Events

• The speaker dreamt about what had happened before being told about it, providing detailed knowledge of the incident.

Last Moments with Father

• The speaker vividly remembers their last conversation with their father before he left for his final mission.

Searching for Remains

• The speaker's mother searched for their father's remains, even looking for dental records, but they were never found.

Emotional Impact

• The speaker reflects on the impact of losing their father at a young age and the challenges faced in supporting themselves.

Conclusion and Unanswered Questions

This section concludes the transcript by highlighting unanswered questions and unresolved issues surrounding the events discussed.

Unresolved Mystery

• The fate of the speaker's father remains unknown, as his remains were never found.

Continuing Uncertainty

• The speaker's mother held onto hope that he had escaped and would return.

Lingering Questions

• Many questions remain unanswered about the orchestration of the crime and its political ramifications.

Final Thoughts

• The speaker believes that this dark chapter in Costa Rican history cannot be erased.

Coping with the Absence of Father

The speaker reflects on how they have tried not to let their father's absence affect them, possibly as a way of self-protection. They mention that their brother experienced the loss more intensely.

Dealing with the Death of Father

• The speaker recalls going to meet their father at the train station with friends, unaware that he had passed away.

• They gradually realized that they could no longer rely on their father's presence.

A Great Void and Lingering Absence

• Despite never having met their father, they feel his presence strongly and experience a deep sense of emptiness.

• The speaker believes that this story should be known and shared, as it is part of the history of Siquirres.

Preserving History and Resisting Erasure

The speaker expresses frustration about the lack of recognition for their family's history in Siquirres. They highlight efforts made by some individuals to preserve a small part of their heritage but emphasize the need for broader awareness.

Unrecognized History

• There is a school and a village named after the speaker's grandfather in Siquirres, but many people are unaware of its significance.

• The speaker criticizes attempts to erase or downplay certain aspects of history while promoting an inaccurate narrative.

Education and Curiosity in Costa Rica

The speaker reflects on education in Costa Rica, highlighting its emphasis on literacy and curiosity. They also mention personal memories related to dancing and learning from their husband.

Emphasis on Education

• Costa Rica is known for having more teachers than soldiers, leading to high literacy rates among its population.

• The speaker reminisces about how their husband would dance and teach their children from a young age, fostering a love for learning.

Fond Memories of Father

The speaker shares fond memories of their father, describing him as kind and loving. They express admiration for his values and the impact he had on their life.

A Role Model Father

• The speaker cherishes memories of their father's kindness and affection towards them.

• Their father exemplified qualities such as love for justice and a desire to do good in daily life.

• The speaker feels that no other man can serve as a better role model than the memory of their father.

Coping with Loss and Seeking Justice

The speaker recounts the moment they discovered their father's body and how it led to a commitment to seek justice. They reflect on forgiveness as a powerful decision they made over time.

Discovering the Tragic Scene

• Upon arriving by train from Limón, the speaker encountered their father's lifeless body.

• Both the speaker and their uncle embraced each other in tears, forming an unspoken pact to seek justice for their beloved father.

Choosing Forgiveness

• Over time, the speaker reflected deeply on what they had agreed upon with their uncle.

• Ultimately, they made the courageous decision to forgive those responsible for their father's murder.

Reflections on Forgiveness

The speaker reflects further on forgiveness as an act of personal growth. They express pride in having chosen forgiveness despite labeling those responsible as murderers.

Personal Growth through Forgiveness

• Despite considering those responsible for their father's death as murderers, the speaker sees forgiveness as an important part of personal development.

• They feel proud of having made this decision and believe it has shaped their perspective on life.

Conclusion

The speaker concludes their reflections, leaving the audience with a sense of introspection and the importance of forgiveness.

Final Thoughts

• The speaker ends their narrative, leaving room for personal reflection on the themes discussed.

• They emphasize the significance of forgiveness in one's own journey and growth.