:
14-00000
104-10163-10019
2025 RELEASE UNDER THE PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY ASSASSINATION RECORDS ACT OF 1992
SECRET
LX 320
MEMORANDUM OF CONTACT
05
16 May 1963
ez (201-327702)
SUBJECT: Jose Antonio CASAS Rodriguez] (201
DATE OF CONTACT: 2 May 1963 (2000 to 2345 Hours);
4 May 1963 (0900 to 1300 Hours).
RETURN TO CIA
Background Use Only
Do Not Reproduse
1. On 1 May 1963 I travelled to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania,
and attempted to contact Subject at his home at 216 Cumberland Street] 0/0
at 1930 hours. Subject's son answered the door and advised that his
father was out for the evening and wasn't expected to return till 2200
hours. At 2200 hours I returned to Subject's home to be advised that:
he had not yet returned but was expected momentarily. In view of the
late hour, 1 requested the son tell his father that a representative of
the United States Government had called and wished to speak to him on
matters peataining to the situation in Cuba. I indicated I would return
about 2000 hours on 2 May.
8. At 2000 hours on 2 May I called at Subject's home and found
him present. He was friendly and courteous, requesting that I come
into the home where I was introduced to his wife and several of his six
Children. He requested to see my KUBARK identification which he gave
only a cursory glance before returning to me. He then indicated his
. complete willingness to supply any information known to him on the Cuban
situation and personalities.
3. Subject and his wife make an excellent impression. They
proceeded to put me at ease, offered coffee, and generally showed them-
selves to be excellent extroverted hosts. The subsequent conversation
lasted until approximately 2345 hours and was somewhat general in nature,
Basically we rehashed information already provided by Subject during
his debriefing by U.S. authorities in Miami and already reflected in his
201 file. Subject was rather difficult to debrief in that his English is
-somewhat fractured and he is extremely disorganized in his thoughts.
He has a tendency to develop one theme which in turn will remind him
N :
COPY
SECRET
GROUP
Excluded from automatic
downgrading and
deceuticals
جم
2014334088
J
3/Rs
WENERGY MAGIvall
14-00000
SECRET
of a second, also of interest, which he will proceed to discuss to the
confusion of the first. This problem was perhaps compounded by the
fact that Subject was uncertain as to the type of information of interest
to KUBARK. He grasped quickly, however, the type of information
which would be of most interest to us and it rapidly became less difficult
to get to the meat of the subject we were discussing. Further contact
and debriefing of him will become progressively less difficult.
4. We are consolidating the information obtained from Subject
from our two meetings with him on 2 and 4 May below for reporting
convenience.
5. Basically Subject is able to supply specific information of
interest on only five personalities. He knows and was acquainted with
many other personalities in the Cuban government, but his relationship
with them is not close enough to enable him to provide information in
sufficient detail or depth to allow valid assessment as to their suscep-
tibility to a recruitment or other operational approach.
6. Information on five Cuban government officials, well known
to Subject is set forth below:
2. Esubio AZCUE, born about 1912, is presently
employed as a consul at the Cuban Embassy in Mexico
City. AZCUE is a long time friend of Subject. They met
during the mid-1950's when both were involved in revolu-
tionary activities attempting to bring about a democratic
socialist regime in Cuba. AZCUE is married to a Spanish
woman and was involved in the Spanish revolution. He
was a very close friend of Manolo CASTRO who was
reportedly murdered by a group of Communist left wing
revolutionaries which included Fidel CASTRO. About,
1952 AZCUE was living in France and is believed to have
been arrested by French authorities on charges resulting
from his involvement in smuggling penicillin and other
antibiotics into France. Subject believes that AZCUE has
about five children. During early 1901 while in Mexico
City, AZCUE was contacted by Subject in order to obtain
advice re the advisability of his defecting from the Castro
regime and requesting political asylum in Mexico. As a
SECRET
GROUP
Secluded from
grading and
declantillesle
14-00000
L
SECRET
result of this contact Subject obtained the impression that
AZCUE is suffering from a lack of funds. Since AZCUE
is somewhat of a snob and a fancy dresser, he finds this
situation unpleasant. AZCUE also habitually has a mis-
tress which in turn is a drain on his pocketbook.
(1) According to Subject, AZCUE is an
excellent draftsman who studied architecture
at the University of Habana, although he never
obtained a degree. Subject assesses him as a
kind man, very happy-go-lucky, but impetuous
and one who "blows with the wind". He doesn't
seem to have the powers of concentration or of
single purpose which would allow him to be suc-
cessful Subject feels that AZCUE has appended
himself to the Castro regime since it offers him
a purpose in life and a feeling of belonging to
something.
(2) Subject described AZCUE as being a
very brave man. He felt that should AZCUE be
approached by KUBARK and requested to coop-
erate, the physical danger inherent to in-place
agent work would not affect his decision. In
summary there would be a reasonable chance of
persuading AZCUE to cooperate with KUBARK IL
a suitable monetary and ideological inducement
were offered him. Subject feels, on the basis of
their 1961 conversations in Mexico City, that
AZCUE is not too enthused about the Castro regime.
und it is possible he has become even less in
favor of it during the ensuing period.
(8) Subject appended that it would be helpful
in any approach to AZCUE to attempt to convince
hún thai Fidel CASTRO was directly involved in
tho "gangster" revolutionary group responsible for
Manolo CASTRO's murder. AZCUE was a very
close friend of Manolo CASTRO's and was affected
greatly by his death.
SECRET
onve
t
Excluded from automatic
downer ding and
doraaled
1
14-00000
L
SEC....
b. Enrique RODRIGUEZ Loeches: RODRIGUEZ was
born about 1912 and is presently Cuban Ambassador to
Morocco. RODIUGUEZ was involved for a long time in
revolutionary attempts to overthrow the BATISTA and pre-
vious regimes in Cuba. He was with CASTRO during the
1958-59 period in the Sterra Maestre. Subject became
acquainted with and a close friend of RODRIGUEZ when
both were members of the same so-called revolutionary
"Directorio". Subject alleges that ODRIGUEZ tas dis-
liked CASTRO since their ürzt meeting during the 1958-59
period. Both Subject and his wife alleged to have received
a letter from RODRIGUEZ written in the Sierra Maestre
in which he listed his dislike of CASTRO and among other
things referred to him using the Spanian equivalent of the
term "dirty prostitute". Subject advised that unfortunately
this letter has been destroyed. Subject is convinced that
if he met RODRIGUEZ on the street tomorrow the latter
would have no compunctions about sitting down for a long
discussion on old times as well as the political situation.
in Cuba. Subject is also convinced that he could on friendly
terms "talk defection of recruitment" with RODRIGUEZ
should they have the opportunity to meet.
c. Orlando BLANCO, born about 1922, is married to
woman of Puerto Rican birth which makes her an American
citizen. BLANCO, according to the latest information avail-
able to KUBARK, is stationed with the Cuban Embassy in
Morocco with the rank of counselor. Subject met BLANCS
when the latter became subordinate to him in the revolu-
tionary "Directorio" working towards the overthrow of the
Batista regime. Despite BLANCO's revolutionary activition,
Subject assesses him as being relatively passive politically.
Both BLANCO and his wife are believed to have applied for
employment with the Cuban foreign service as a means of
leaving Cuba. Subject feels it is possible they will not return
to Cuba when their tour in Morocco expires. During 1960-61
BLANCO was employed in the National Bank of Cuba. During
this period Subject obtained the impression that BLANCO
had become anti-Castro. Subject, however, assesses BLANCO
as a non-courageous type of individual who might be fright-
ened at the idea of working as an in-place agent. As an
SECRET
GAP-HP $
Excluded metic
14-00000
bay
SECRET
example of BLANCO's lack of courage, Subject cited the
fact that he and his 
wife attempted to avoid Subject's wife
while Subject was 
an asylee in the Argentine Embassy in
Habana. Incidentally
, BLANCO's wife's name is isabelle
LAGO de Blanco and 
he is on excellent terms with Subject's 0
wife] Subject 
is apparently convinced that BLANCO would
welcome an 
opportunity to meet with him providing he were
assured that the 
fact of the meeting would not become known
to his Cuban 
superiors.
d. Faure CHOMON Mediavilla (201-270370): In ea-
sence 
Subject was only 
able to reiterate the background
information on 
CHOMON outlined in paragraph 5 of UFCW
1674, 13 January 1963. 
In order to place his relationship
with CHOMON in 
perspective, Subject produced a personal
letter to him from CHOMON 
which was written in January
1959 and referred 
to Subject in the most familiar of terms.
Subject alleged 
that CHOMON has confided in him on many
matters of personal and 
political nature for many years.
As an example, 
he cited a difficulty in which CHOMON
became involved 
during his tenure as Ambassador to the
USSR and while Subject 
was stationed in Moscow. CHOMON S
At that time was 
having an affair with a Russian translator/
secretary 
assigned to him by the Soviets. This person's
husband became 
knowledgeable of the relationship between
his wife and CHOMON and 
beat on the door of the Cuban
Embassy 
ons day and proceeded to demand that CHOMON
bave his wife 
alone. Subsequently a formal protest was
received through Soviet 
foreign service channels. As a
result of this 
incident, CHOMON asked Subject to take a
walk with him (He 
didn't trust the Soviets and felt the
Cuban 
Embassy was bugged.) in enter to discuss this
problem 
and the possible solution for it. Although CHOMON
did not specifically 
state anything in this vein, Subject
obtained the impression 
during the last two meetings in.
the Argentine 
Embassy in early 1962 that CHOMON was
anything but 
happy with his lot under the Castro regime.
Subject følt it 
would be worthwhile and alleged his willing-
ness to prepare a "
recruitment letter" for mailing to
CHOMON in Cuba
.
24
SECRET
CHRUP 1
Excluded from sa
dawngrading and
decissificaties
201-33408
31BR
14-00000
SECRET
e. Floreal CHOMON Mediavilla was born about 1930
in Camaguey, and, according to latest KUBARK informa-
tion, is presently Charge d' Affaires of the Cuban Legation
in Iraq. Prior to this assignment, CHOMON was First
Secretary with the Cuban Embassy in Morocco. Subject
described CHOMON as a sensitive, slightly effeminate
individual who is relatively interested in politics. Sub-
ject feels that CHOMON obtained the position with the
Cuban foreign service by virtue of the fact that he is Faure
CHOMON's brother. Subject feels that Floreal CHOMON
would also welcome an opportunity to talk with him if the
fact of their meeting could be kept from the Cuban govern-
ment. He speculated that any attempt to gain CHOMON's
cooperation would depend on the position Faure CHOMON
has assumed toward the Castro regime. Subject feels
that most of Floreal CASTRO's decisions are based on the
attitude and opinion of his older brother Faure. If through
letters from or conversations with his okier brother, Floreal
had obtained the impression that Faure was becoming dis-
satisfied with the Castro regime, he probably likewise
would assume such an attitude and conceivably be receptive –
to a recruitment approach.
7. OPERATIONAL PROPOSALS: We are currently retracing
the individuals listed in the preceeding paragraph. Upon completion of
these traces, it is suggested that a dispatch be prepared to Mexico City
Station outlining all information on Esubio AZCUE including that supplied
by Subject. This dispatch would also outline Headquarters' interest in
perhapsing Subject in an operational approach to AZCUE. Mexico
City Station would be asked to describe the extent to which they could ·
support much an operation through surveillance of AZCUE, locating his
present residence and other information relative to iis current activities
and political orientation. (Comment:) We discussed in principle with
the Subject whether or not he would be willing to travel to Mexico City
with a KUBARK case officer for the purpose of such an approach. Sub-
ject tentatively indicated his willingness to cooperate in such a venture
but appeared to have some reservation re the danger that might accrue
him. He pointed out that he has a wife and six children to support and
soon expects to be joined by his father and mother-in-law who are cur-
rently in Miami. We attempted to reassure Subject that very little danger
SECRET
USOUP 1
Excluded is
dewarading and
declassification
14-00000
SEGRET
-7-
would be involved since he would be under surveillance by KUBARK
officers at all times and would serve only as a means of effecting the
introduction of KUBARK to AZCUE. Although we cannot be certain,
we feel that 1. properly presented Subject would cooperate with KUBARK
in such a venture.
8. The information reflected above and relating to RODRIGUEZ,
BLANCO, Floreal CHOMON, and Faure CHOMON, will be made avail-
able to SAS/11 in order to determine whether or not they may be interested
in exploiting these leads. An operation involving the preparation of a
letter by Subject for forwarding to Faure CHOMON would be simple to
prepare but difficult to carry out in that we do not have a current home
address for him. Subject indicated that he believed Faure CHOMON in
1961 lived on First Street, #105, Apt. 7, in Habana. However, we can-
not be sure that this address is current. Subject indicated that perhaps
(inu) San Pedro y Grillo Aving at Anunciacion 10, 6th floor, in Madrid,
as of 1981, is probably the first wife or another relative of Faute CHOMON,
She is allegedly the cultural attache with the Cuban Embassy in Madrid.
2 Perhaps it would be possible to obtain CHOMON's surrent_address
27,15 through COS Madrid Conceivably [COS Madrid could ask its liaison 15-2
-2 with the Spanish service to place intercepts on this address and thus
obtain Faure CHOMON's current home address in Habana, Assuming
3
he is corresponding with this individual,
9. MISCELLANEOUS: We were only able to obtain the names
of two individuals from subject who he believed definitely to be G-2
officers. These were the individuals who accompanied Faure CHOMON
when he visited Subject in May of 1961 at the Argentine Embassy in
Habana. The first of these was Carlos FIGARELLO, aka El Chino,
FIGARELLO was born about 1930 and Subject was able to say little more
about him than this in as much as he spent most of the time during this
“meeting talking with Faure CHOMON. On CHOMON's second visit to
the Argentine Embassy he was accompanied by (Ínu) JIMENEZ, aka
Himenito, also born about 1930 and the son of (fnu) Santos JIMENEZ.
JIMENEZ was, according to Subject, at one time the director of the
revolutionary newspaper "Combate". Subject was unable to supply
further information on this individual.
10. Subject was shown the KUBARK, list of Cuban diplomatic
and consular personnel abroad dated April 1963 and was able to identify
a number of individuals appearing on this list as known to him. These
individuals would be basically FI leads and Subject indicated he was not
SECRET
GROUPS
famati
downfrading and
decla
-
i
3/BR
14-00000
L
SECRET
well acquainted enough to describe their personalities or otherwise aid
in an 
operational approach to them. We are listing them below, how-
ever, in 
the event some of them may be of specific operational interest
to SAS/FI 
components. Any individuals falling into this category can be
the subject of future 
detailed debriefing on the occasion of my next meet-
ing with 
Subject.
a. Jorge SERGUERA Pivieri, aka Papito, is currently
the 
Cuban 
Ambassador to Algeria. According to Subject,
BERGUERA 
is a homosexual.
b. Eduardo MACHADO Cartas, born about 1925 in
Lajas, Cuba, is presently employed as the Cubana Airlines
representative in Canada according to latest KUBARK
information. Subject hasn't seen MACHADO for about
twenty years, but used to know him well in that he dated
MACHADO's sister and in this fashion met him and the
family.
c. Jose BARRIAL Dominguez: Subject believes this
name appearing on the KUHARK list to be incorrect.
BARRIAL is listed as Charge d' Affaires, minister coun-
selor 
at the Cuban Embassy in Chile. Subject knew an
individual of this name who was associated with the same
revolutionary group to which Manolo CASTRO belonged,
d. Manuel PAYAN Viego is originally from Siego de
Avila, Cuba. During BATISTA's regime, PAYAN was
studying in Spain. Subject does not believe PAYAN to be
a Communist. PAYAN's wife is believed to be identical with
Maria Antonio RODRIGUEZ de Payan who is also listed as
an employee of the Cuban Embassy in Chile.
e. Oscar PINO Santos, Cuban Ambassador to China,
is an acquaintance of Subject. Subject was unable to provide
further worthwhile information on PINO.
f. Flora DIAZ Parrado, born about 1910, is currently
employed as a counselor with the Cuban Embassy in France.
Subject believes that DIAZ is apolitical and has been a mem-
ber of the foreign service for a long time. He also believes
SECRET
Li
Excludec vom automatic
deck
14-00000
L
SECRET
her to be homosexual.
g. Juan David POSADA is currently employed as cul-
tural counselor with the Cuban Embassy in France. Subject
describes POSADA as an "arty type" who is an excellent
caricaturist.
h. Manuel R. MORALES, listed as an attache with
the Cuban Embassy in France, is believed by Subject to
be identical with an individual he met who used the nick-
name Tiburon who was an athlete at Habana University
and from Santiago de Cuba.
1. Gustavo MEDIAVILLA de la Pena is listed as com-
mercial attache with the Cuban Embassy in Germany,
Subject was acquainted with an individual with this name
who was a cousin of the CHOMON brothers.
J. Lionel ALONSO Fiel is believed by Subject to be
a young man who he knew from Matanzas Province and
who is now Charge d' Affaires with the Cuban Embassy
in Indonesia.
E. Gustavo ROBRENO Dolz, aka El Mago ROBRENO,
is listed as an attache with the Cuban Embassy in Indonesia.
Subject describes ROBRENO as a very unstabla individual.
Once while drunk, he shot an American in a Cuban bar.
He is married to a former prostitute.
1. Jose R. LINARES Delgado is listed as an attache
with the Cuban Embassy in Iraq. Subject believes he was
at one time acquainted with LINARES who was connected
with the Manoio CASTRO group at the University of Habana,
Subject describes LINARES as a slender individual with a
pleasant personality. He is a mulatto.
m. Gustavo ARCOS y Bargnes is listed as Ambassador
to Belgium and Luxembourg and resident in Brussels, Su
ject stated ARCOS' brother was killed in Santiago de Cuba
on 26 July 1953 during the attack on the "Moncada".
P. Teresa PROENZA, listed as cultural attache, Third
Becretary with the Cuban Embassy in Mexico, in related
to the Cubana Airlines representative in Mexico. Subject
SECRET
сайце
Exefaded from selemati
downgrading and
declassification
{
14-00000
SECRET
-
10-
described PROENZA as a cold-blooded emotionless woman
who is nicknamed "the mummy".
o. Strino SORREGUY Matos is listed as the Cuban
Minister to Saudi Arabia with residence in Cairo. Subject
knows SORHEGUY to have been once a Cuban foreign ser-
vice representative to Honduras and to have been declared
PNG by that country.
p. Jose Antonio PULIDO y Ledesma is listed as consul
to the Cuban Embassy in Sweden. Subject knows PULIDO
as being a good friend of Enrique RODRIGUEZ Loeche,
Ambassador to Alorocco.
q. Armando PEREZ Pinto is listed as commercial
counselor with the Cuban Embassy in the USSR. Subject
believes PEREZ is not of Cuban birth, but from Haiti.
Subject could only say that PEREZ was a nice young man,
born about 1935, who did not give the impression of being
a rabid Communist.
r. Juan JUARBE y Juarbs is listed as the counselor
of the Cuban Delegation to the United Nations. Subject knows
JUARBE and thinks he is Puerto Rican or Venezuelan by
birth rather than a Cuban.
8. Laura MENESES de Albizu Campos: According to
Subject, MENESES is not a Cuban but he is not sure of her
tionality. Although he met MENESES he is unable to
supply further significant data.
t. Gilberto MEDIAVILLA is listed as a third secretary
of the Cuban Delegation to the United Nations. Subject sus-
pects that MEDIAVILLA is a ccuse to the CHOMON brothers.
11. Orlando PEREZ was met by Subject during his tour in Moscow.
PEREZ was the Charge d'Affaires at the Cuban Embassy in Moscow,
Subject became slightly acquainted with PEREZ and obtained the impres-
sion that PEREZ is not pro-Castro. He is married to an American
citizen, Kina PEREZ, nee Grossman. PEREZ has since quit the foreign
service and occupies a position with the National Bank of Cuba.
SECRET
CAPI
zuromallej
201-3340859
VIBR

14-00000
SECRET
-11-
12. We asked Subject whether or not he was acquainted with any
individual 
belonging to the Cuban 
military. He could supply no signifi-
cant names or information in this 
sphere. He did advise us that a
potential source for 
this type of information was one Eloy GUTIERREZ
Menoyo. According to Subject
, GUTIERREZ was formerly a Cuban
army officer and would 
have many contacts in this area. As an aside,
Subject stated that GUTIERREZ 
had supplied weapons to Fidel CASTRO
during the 1958-59 period 
through an individual who he knew only as
(nu) GONZALEZ. 
GONZALEZ apparently in turn obtained the weapons
from a (Inu) SAGARO who was a resident 
of Santiago de Cuba. Of even
more interest, Subject stated 
that GONZALEZ was, during this same
period, in contact with Otto 
SKORZENY in Madrid and Belgium. Sub-
ject could no longer remember 
where he had heard this information and
could only add that as he 
remembered, GONZALEZ had seen SKORZENY.
in Madrid and Brussels, Belgium
, during this period. It is felt that this
piece of information may be of 
more than normal significance in that we
recall having been told several 
years ago that SKORZENY was of opera-
tional interest to KUBARK. As we 
remember, SKORZENY was at that
time suspected of or reported 
to be the key figure in a Communist/KGB.
illegal funding apparatus. We 
will check with the CI Staff, WE, and EE,
in order to determine whether further 
information on SKORZENY's
alleged activities 
was ever developed.
08
13. Raul RODRIGUEZ Feo is, according to Subject, a profes-
sional in 
the Cuban foreign service. 
Subject does not know for certain
where RODRIGUEZ is 
presently stationed but suspects he is in Habana.
RODRIGUEZ does not appear in 
the KUBARK list of Cuban diplomats
abroad. RODRIGUEZ is a 
good friend of Subject and his wife, and Sub-
ject's wife has known Mrs. 
RODRIGUEZ since both were small girls.
RODRIGUEZ was born about 1912 and 
studied at the University of Habana,
He and Subject attended the same 
secondary schools in Sagua La Grande,
Cuba. Subject states that RŪDRIGUEZ 
is definitely not a Communist
and probably would 
cooperate in any anti-Castro activity KUBARK. might
aak of him,
14. Carlos LAC was born about 1923 in Cuba and is a Certified
Public 
Accountant. 
Subject is good friends with LAO in that both of them
worked together in attempting 
to overthrow the Batista regime. LAO
refugeed to the United States 
from Cuba in October 1962 and now lives
in Willerale, Minnesota
. Subject volunteered LAO's name az an individ-
ual who knows everybody of 
any significance in Holguin, Cuba, and the
surrounding area.
SECRET
GROUP
Excluded from automath
downgrading and
declasification
3
}
14-00000
SECRET
12 -
15. UFGA 7428, 31 January 1963, contains information obtained
by JMWAVE regarding Subject and indicated him to be emotionally un-
stable, 
eccentric, and generally reputed to be something of a nut.
are 
inclined to agree with this information in so far as Subject's eco-
We
nomical 
theory is concerned. During his stay of almost one year as
an asylee in 
the Argentine Embassy in Habana, Subject spent the copious
spare time 
available to him writing an economic treatise. On our meet-
ing with Subject 
on May 4th, Subject provided us with a handwritten
short 
summary of this document. According to this summary, Subject
has been attempting 
to correlate economic cycles with peaks of sunspot
activity. He 
backs up his "economic argument" with reference to the
Old Testament 
and the Aztec Calendar. If Subject has been expounding
this theory in 
public we are not surprised that he is considered some-
what of a 
nut. It should be noted, however, that many otherwise sane
and useful people 
believe in horoscopes and other similar superstitions.
We do not feel that 
this quirk in his personality must necessarily be con-
sidered derogatory in 
terms of his possible operational exploitation by
KUBARK. 
Although we have spent less than ten hours with Subject, our
impression is that 
he is a rational individual in terms of his attitude
towards and relationships with other individuals and personalities around
him. As a matter 
of fact, we obtained the impression that Subject pos-
sesses more than his 
fair share of what is sometimes termed "common
sense". The handwritten summary of Subject's economic theory as per-
taining to 
cunspots is appested to this memorandum as attachment.
Attachment: Herewith
As stated above
GP:sab
Distribution:
Orig & 1 - C/SAS/CI (chrono copy)
1- RID/Index
03
Galen Peary]
SAS/CI
201-327702-Jose Antonio CASAS Rodriguez 05
1 - C/SAS (info copy)
SECRET
CRJUP 1
Excinded fro
downgrading
declassific
012334089
3/RS