[180-10104-10354.pdf — page 17]
# INFORMATION REPORTCONFIDENTIALFROM:NA, CARACASREPORT NO.142-60DATE30 JULY 1960He stated that he was a former Cuban Army Captain in the Batista regime and had been a professional soldier - without politics. Had been officer in charge of the Army detachment at the MAIBA HAREZ copper mine, Implnaldo Rio. He left Cuba and came to Venezuela on 5 June 1959. He had legal sized piece of paper with photo and signed by the Cuban Minister of Interior giving him permission to leave Cuba. It was captioned: "Special Passport". Stated he had been jailed 4 times between 1 January, and 5 June 19I2, by CASTRO. ARCACHA stated that he had been arrested and jailed on 29 June during the big cleanup following the attempt on the life of President Betancourt. He was confined for 16 days and released finally on 14 July. ZUBIZARRETA was arrested by DICEPOL on 1 July and confined without charges until 12 July when he was released. At that time he was given a "Salvoconducto" #PL030-8 by the Venezuelan Ministry of Interior dated 15 July, 1960 and expiring 15 January 1961.ZUBIZARRETA spoke almost no English and it appears that ARCACHA was accompanying him to aid in interpreting if necessary. He said that he feared for his life both in Venezuela and also possible extradition to Cuba where he might be tried and executed although he claimed to have been guilty only of having been in the Army in Batista's time.Both spoke contemptuously of CASTRO and tried to draw the NA into conversation and controversy. They were taken to the Fish Section of the Consulate and turned over to the Vice Consul.3. Subsequent Visits. The next morning ZUBIZARRETA appeared with his papers partially filled out and requested assistance in completing them. This was done and he left. Two days later ARCACHA and ZUBIZARRETA returned together, the former claiming that he had additional character and financial references that he wanted to offer to assist ZUBIZARRETA if obtaining his visa more quickly. ARCACHA volunteered that he wanted to warn me about a CASTRO agent who he stated was in charge of intelligence for CASTRO in Venezuela, this person, named Juan Antonio Sola / alleged to be a partner in a trader service that has recently opened in Caracas. He also advised that another Cuban, Cre~ 14, a journalist was *very* dangerous to the U.S. The interview was cut short and they again turned over to the Vice Consul who stated no additional information was needed and that it would probably be a month before information upon which a visa could be issued would be received from Havana and Washington. ZUBIZARRETA expressed fear that he would be picked up and extradited before that time. The NA mentioned that the U.S. was full of exilees and that sincere anti-Castroites could do more good spreading the gospel in Venezuela. This shook both of them considerably and they replied that at present it was almost as dangerous for an anti-Castro on the streets of Caracas as it was on the streets of Havana. They left after being discouraged by the Consul on the prospects of a decision in the near future. ARCACHA did not appear too worried for himself and a check proved that he had a valid tourist visa issued to him on 18 November, 1959. His wife, being a Spanish subject, is going to more considerably more difficulty.SPECIAL HANDLING REQUIREDNOT RELEASABLE TO FOREIGN NATIONALSCONFIDENTIALNW 88326: Docld: 32260796 Page 18