Abelicio M. Peña Journals on Latin America
Collection
Identifier: MSS0002
Scope and Content
The journals include daily entries by Abelicio M. Peña regarding his travels and work in Latin American countries and Washington D.C. during his Foreign Service career. The entries contain personal comments on current world and host country events, political commentary on Latin American countries and analysis of Latin American cultures.
Dates
- 1972-1988
Language of Materials
English
Access Restrictions
The collection is open for research.
Copy Restrictions
Limited duplication of print materials allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for all copyright compliance.
Biography or History
Abelicio (Abe) M. Peña was a New Mexican with deep roots in Cibola County. His civic and political pursuits throughout the 1960s lead to opportunities outside the United States. In 1972, he was appointed country director of the Peace Corps in Honduras. His career spanned 12 years with the United States Foreign Service. After serving two years in Honduras he became country director for the Peace Corps in Costa Rica. In these positions he supervised all Peace Corps-related activities, managing resources, volunteers, staff, and budgets to assist in the agricultural and economic development of the countries. In 1976 he accepted a position as mission director of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in Paraguay. In 1979 he was offered and accepted the position of mission director for USAID in politically troubled Bolivia. After a violent military coup in 1980, Pena returned to the United States, traveling across the U.S. recruiting for the Foreign Service. Peña returned to the post of mission director in Paraguay in 1981 until his retirement in 1984. After retirement from the Foreign Service Peña returned to Grants, New Mexico where he once again became involved in the family’s ranching business and civic activities.
Extent
1.0 cubic foot (material organized into three document boxes)
Abstract
The Abelicio M. Peña journals on Latin America consist of his handwritten entries made while on assignment in Latin America. They provide insight into Latin America from the perspective of a foreign service operative with the Peace Corp and U.S.A.I.D, as well as commentary upon his return to the United States in between appointments and upon his retirement.
Processing Information
Inventory processing by Samuel Sisneros, 2005. Finding aid processing by Anna Uremovich, 2021.
- Title
- Finding Aid of the Abelicio M. Peña Journals on Latin America, 1972-1988
- Status
- Approved
- Author
- Processed by Samuel Sisneros (2005), Anna Uremovich (2021)
- Date
- 2005, 2021
- Description rules
- Dacs
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- Finding aid is in English
Repository Details
Part of the National Hispanic Cultural Center Repository
Contact:
National Hispanic Cultural Center, History and Literary Arts
1701 4th Street SW
Albuquerque NM 87102 USA
505-246-2261
anna.uremovich@state.nm.us
National Hispanic Cultural Center, History and Literary Arts
1701 4th Street SW
Albuquerque NM 87102 USA
505-246-2261
anna.uremovich@state.nm.us