Apr. 2, 1964 - Deposed President Joao Goulart (pictured in 1962) was reported in Argentina today after abandoning his vow to fight to the death against Brazil’s victorious anti-Communist revolution. A spokesman for the 2nd Army in Sao Paulo said Goulart had left his ranch at Sao Borja, on the Argentine border, by car and “already is in Argentine territory.” A broadcast from Porto Alegre said Goulart was headed for exile in Buenos Aires. Informants said Goulart knew he faced a debacle and decided to leave to prevent the bloodshed of a futile resistance.
Hailing the ouster of Goulart, more than a million Brazilians today poured through Rio’s main street in tumultuous celebration of the victory of the military leaders who say they acted to prevent a Cuban-style takeover of Latin America’s largest nation. The marchers sang hymns and patriotic songs and waved thousands of tiny Brazilian flags. One group carried a huge color portrait of the late U.S. President, John F. Kennedy. Many banners bore the words of the late Pope John.
The Communist press assailed Goulart’s overthrow as a fascist plot hatched in the United States.
The Brazilian Congress, early this morning, swore in Paschoal Ranieri Mazzilli as Goulart’s successor.
President Johnson today sent his “warmest good wishes” to Mazzilli and complimented the people for resolving their difficulties without armed strife.
Mazzilli is now confronted a number of tremendous problems that plagued his predecessor: whirlwind inflation, runaway prices, and the need for profound social reform. Although few U.S. observers expect any complete turnabout in Brazilian foreign policy, there is some belief that the new government will give more wholehearted cooperation to the Alliance for Progress. Goulart had all but torpedoed it. It was also expected that there would be an end to efforts promoted by Goulart to legalize the Communist Party in Brazil.
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