Categories: Intelligence

Psychological Operations in Guerrilla Warfare by Tayacán, Report dated October 18, 1984

This document, released by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), serves as a guide for psychological operations (PSYOP) in guerrilla warfare. The primary focus is on how to leverage psychological tactics to influence and control the population and enemy forces during an insurgency. The guide outlines the importance of understanding the target audience, establishing credibility, and utilizing propaganda to promote the guerrilla movement’s objectives. Additionally, it highlights the role of armed propaganda teams in executing these operations.

The authorship of “Psychological Operations in Guerrilla Warfare” by Tayacán is not definitively known, and the name Tayacán is likely a pseudonym. The document has been attributed to the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), and it was released to the public under the Freedom of Information Act. The guide is believed to have been produced to aid insurgents, particularly during the Cold War era, when the United States and other Western countries were supporting various guerrilla movements against Communist regimes. The identity of Tayacán remains unclear, but the document is still a valuable resource for understanding the strategic use of psychological operations in guerrilla warfare.

Key Highlights:
  1. The guide emphasizes the importance of intelligence gathering and analysis for effective PSYOP, which includes understanding the enemy’s strengths and weaknesses, as well as the social and political environment in the area of operations.
  2. The document explains that PSYOP should be tailored to the target audience, using cultural and linguistic nuances to maximize its impact.
  3. It outlines various tactics, such as rumor campaigns, psychological pressure, and the use of mass communication channels to disseminate propaganda and control public opinion.
  4. The guide highlights the importance of credibility and consistency in messaging to ensure the success of psychological operations.
  5. It describes the role of armed propaganda teams in spreading the guerrilla movement’s message, winning the support of the local population, and conducting sabotage and intelligence activities.

The document offers valuable insights into the strategic use of psychological operations in guerrilla warfare, demonstrating their importance in shaping public opinion, controlling the narrative, and gaining support for the insurgency. By understanding and implementing these principles, one can gain a better understanding of the role of PSYOP in irregular warfare and the various tactics employed to achieve desired outcomes.

Continue scrolling for more...

The controversy surrounding “Psychological Operations in Guerrilla Warfare” by Tayacán stems from its alleged association with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and its potential use in supporting insurgencies, particularly in Central and South America during the Cold War era. The document has been criticized for promoting tactics that may involve deception, manipulation, and propaganda to achieve strategic objectives. Critics argue that the guide’s teachings can potentially undermine democracy and violate human rights by manipulating public opinion and employing subversive tactics.

Furthermore, the alleged connection to the CIA raises questions about the agency’s involvement in foreign conflicts, specifically its role in supporting or even orchestrating regime changes and guerrilla movements in other countries. The controversy highlights ethical concerns over the use of psychological operations in warfare and the potential consequences of such tactics on local populations and political systems.

Two document are below. First, is the report, and the second, is a memorandum that was further declassified due to a Mandatory Declassification Review (MDR) request filed by The Black Vault.

Document Archive

Psychological Operations in Guerrilla Warfare by Tayacán, Report dated October 18, 1984 [70 Pages, 4MB]

Psychological Operations in Guerrilla Warfare Review Memorandum, dated 19 October 1984 [2 Pages, 0.8MB]

Follow The Black Vault on Social Media:

This post was published on March 25, 2023 3:04 pm

John Greenewald

Recent Posts

AARO Releases Final Report on “Eglin UAP” Incident

Today, the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) of the U.S. Department of Defense provided their…

April 24, 2024

AATIP and the Pentagon: The Struggle Over UFO Program Records

Since October 2017, The Black Vault has investigated the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP),…

April 23, 2024

FOIA Documents Reveal AARO’s Authorized and Repeated Attempts to Engage with David Grusch

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GNITLBj0hM The All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), tasked to investigate Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP), made…

April 18, 2024

DoD Releases “KONA BLUE” Documents

The following was the description by the DoD about KONA BLUE. It is reproduced here,…

April 16, 2024

Newly Released 1963 Report Sheds Light on Nuclear Era Urban Defense Strategies

After nearly a decade of waiting, The Black Vault has successfully acquired a document through…

April 12, 2024

National Guard Bureau Transition Book, Date Unknown

These records were provided by the family of anthologist and transparency activist Russ Kick, from his…

April 9, 2024