A Guatemalan Campaign For Liberty And Peace
A U.S. foundation has cooperated with like-minded Latin Americans to promote peace and prosperity.
In the 1960s, New York City was a vibrant hub for artists and intellectuals, and Grand Central Terminal, teeming with energy and movement, embodied this dynamic spirit. Here, you might cross paths with Jane Jacobs debating urban planning, Hannah Arendt reflecting on human rights, or Lenny Bruce exploring new ways to exercise his freedom of speech. On one particular afternoon, amid the bustling crowds of the main concourse, you might also have encountered two young Guatemalans, tickets in hand, embarking on a journey to transform their country and the lives of millions.
Their destination was neither the United Nations nor Wall Street, but somewhere arguably more impactful. Their train tickets read “Irvington-on-Hudson,” a picturesque town on the banks of the Hudson River, just 40 minutes from Midtown Manhattan. In their hands was a letter bearing an address: “30 South Broadway.” After climbing a steep hill from the station, they arrived at their destination—the headquarters of the Foundation for Economic Education (FEE).
Their names were Manuel Ayau and Ulysses Dent, two entrepreneurs determined to uncover the root causes of poverty in Guatemala and chart a path toward prosperity for their country. Their visit to FEE was neither a random occurrence nor a preordained event. It was one of those serendipitous moments that often arise when heroes set out to change the world. They ring the bell, the door opens, and a new chapter on the history of liberty begins.
Next Destination: Prosperity-on-Freedom
Great journeys often begin with a question, and for these two young men, this journey was no exception. Back in 1958, Ayau and a group of like-minded friends, frustrated by Guatemala’s slow progress and dissatisfied with the solutions of so-called “experts,” formed a study group to tackle a seemingly simple question: “Why is Guatemala poor?” This naturally led to a second, more ambitious question: “How can we create prosperity for all?” Determined to uncover the root causes of poverty and chart a path to a better future, they sought meaningful answers. As engineers and businesspeople, they were skeptical of the convoluted and often contradictory explanations offered by economists and self-proclaimed experts of the time. Their search for clarity and practical solutions marked the beginning of a transformative journey.
Everything changed a few months later when a member of the group met Agustín Navarro, a Mexican entrepreneur and co-founder of the Instituto de Investigaciones Económicas y Sociales. Having embarked on a similar quest in Mexico, Navarro immediately offered his support for their cause. He shared a pamphlet from FEE, the organization that had inspired the founding of his center. The article, by Ludwig von Mises on the economics of wages, was a revelation to Ayau and his peers. Recognizing their shared vision, Navarro also offered to connect them with FEE.
The discovery of both the Mexican classical liberals and FEE sparked newfound energy and direction for the group. It wasn’t long before they decided to formalize their efforts. On November 18, 1959, they officially launched the Centro de Estudios Económico-Sociales (CEES), a think tank dedicated to promoting economic freedom in Guatemala.
FEE: A Hub for Freedom
The same week, Bettina Bien Greaves, from the Foundation for Economic Education, wrote from New York, offering support, resources, and encouragement to Ayau. This letter marked the beginning of a lasting partnership between Ayau’s group and FEE. What began as a simple exchange of ideas grew into a profound and enduring collaboration, shaping their vision and laying the intellectual foundation for advancing liberty in Guatemala.
Through this partnership, they met FEE’s founder, Leonard Read, and influential thinkers like Ludwig von Mises, F. A. Hayek, and Milton Friedman, participated in summer seminars meeting other intellectual entrepreneurs, and were even invited to meetings of the prestigious Mont Pelerin Society—all experiences that fueled their efforts to bring prosperity to Guatemala.
From the very beginning, their pursuit of a free society cast them as idealists, dreamers, or radicals. Yet, it was their unwavering consistency, both in words and deeds, that ultimately earned respect and admiration. In all their efforts, the support of FEE proved crucial—not just intellectually and strategically, but also through true friendship and warm encouragement. Over time, CEES grew to become a beacon of liberty in the region, and this journey later led to the founding of Universidad Francisco Marroquín, which remains one of the most famous and enduring achievements of this group of entrepreneurs.
Today, the relationship between FEE, CEES, and UFM remains as vibrant as ever. For 65 years since that first letter was sent, FEE has served as a hub where intellectual entrepreneurs from our country encounter transformative ideas and build lasting friendships. Successive cohorts of classical liberals in Latin America have been shaped by this enduring connection. From directors to first-year students, the legacy of this intellectual exchange continues to thrive, more relevant and impactful than ever.
A Journey Fueled by Ideas, Friendship, and Hope
By a stroke of luck, a few weeks ago, I found myself returning to Irvington, more than a decade after attending one of the last summer seminars held there. As I rode the train, I couldn’t help but reflect on how many freedom fighters, just like Ayau and Dent, had traveled on those same tracks—how many friendships were forged along the way and how many books, filled with transformative ideas, were packed in their luggage!
For me it’s clear that each traveler, regardless of their origin, was united by a shared hope: the belief that freedom could make the world a better place. While FEE’s headquarters are no longer in Irvington, its mission endures. Whether in Atlanta, Mexico, or Madrid, those who participate in FEE’s events still discover the same treasure trove of ideas, the warmth of true friendship, and a shared dream of building a freer, more prosperous world.
This year is the 100th anniversary of Manuel Ayau’s birth. As we celebrate his extraordinary life and legacy, I hope his unwavering optimism, radical hope, and tireless efforts to bring freedom and prosperity to all will inspire many to continue this journey and keep the dream alive for generations to come.
¡Que viva la libertad!
"I can’t stop dreaming that one day Guatemala and all its people will prosper in peace and freedom." – Manuel F. Ayau