Unidentified Flying Objects — Montevideo, Uruguay

This Department of State Airgram, dated December 19, 1966, details a report from an amateur astronomer in Montevideo, Uruguay, named Ismael Reyes Febles. Reyes, the director of the private 'Antares Observatory,' claimed to have captured photographs of a saucer-like object during the solar eclipse on November 12, 1966. He presented twenty color slides to the U.S. Embassy, showing the object in various positions throughout the two-hour duration of the eclipse. Reyes indicated he was not seeking financial compensation, but rather scientific recognition. The Embassy conducted an inquiry with the University of the Republic and other local scientists, who stated that Reyes lacked formal university training and was not considered a credible member of the scientific community. Despite this unfavorable assessment, the Embassy officer who viewed the slides concluded that Reyes had indeed captured an interesting aerial phenomenon, though the document cuts off before providing a definitive explanation. The Embassy advised Reyes that there were no local experts qualified to assess the slides and suggested forwarding them to the Scientific Attaché in Buenos Aires, a proposal to which Reyes agreed.