The Americas: Kennedy's Call

To "dramatize and spotlight'' his Alliance for Progress aid program, President Kennedy planned to venture into volatile Latin America this week for the first time since his inauguration. With the First Lady along, Kennedy scheduled three ports of call: San Juan, in the U.S. Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; then Caracas, Venezuela; then Bogotá, Colombia.

The three-day trip would carry risks for the Kennedys. Although the hosts will be old U.S. friends—Governor Luis Munõz Marin of Puerto Rico. Presidents Rómulo Betancourt of Venezuela and Alberto Lleras Camargo of Colombia—the latter two nations hold riotous bands of leftist students and workers, with disciplined...

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