Red Vituperation
May 13, 1958 - On this day Vice President Richard Nixon was attacked by an angry mob in Venezuela. The incident occurred during a goodwill tour of South America.
Resentment against the United States and its anti-communist policies had reached a boiling point in Latin America. Earlier in 1958 the US-supported dictator, Marcos Perez Jimenez, had been overthrown in a military coup.
The vice president's motorcade was surrounded by protesters as it drove through Caracas. The crowd completely overwhelmed the Venezuelan security. Windows were smashed and the car was almost flipped over before it managed to speed away.
President Eisenhower sent troops to provide security for Nixon's early exit from the country.