Although I was only four and one half years old at the time of this event, I do recall the commotion occasioned by this event and the embarrassment and sincere regrets expressed by Venezuelans in El Pao and San Félix. Back then, children were not to interrupt adults as they spoke; this gave us much opportunity to listen in on conversations. Although I don’t remember exact words, I do very much recall the revulsion and the anger and the consternation, by both Venezuelans as well as Americans
By my college days, many Americans were downplaying the seriousness of this incident; even making jokes about it. But it was serious enough for President Eisenhower to have ordered a naval squadron to the Venezuelan coast, plus to have placed our Caribbean bases on high alert. All public events were cancelled and the Nixon’s left the next day. Furthermore, a cache of Molotov cocktails was discovered in a building adjacent to where the Vice President was to have participated in a wreath-laying ceremony later that day.
Readers might find the old newsreel linked below to be of interest; especially the gracious words spoken by Vice-President Nixon upon his return to the U.S.A. It’s only 3 minutes.