12.00000
104-10437-10091
2025 RELEASE UNDER THE PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY ASSASSINATION RECORDS ACT OF 1992
TO
INFO.
FROM
SUBJECT
DISPATCH
CLASSIFICATION
SECRET
Chief, Western Hemisphere Division
UFA
Chief of Station, WH/Miami"
Chief of Station, Mexico City 022
D Target Study: Jesus CRUZ Gonzalez
ACTION REQUIRED - REFERENCES
References:
MICROFILMED
DEC 29 1970 1
DOC MICRO. SER.
PROCESSING ACTION
MARKED FOR INDEXING
XX
NO INDEXING REQUIRED
ONLY QUALIFIED DESK
CAN JUDGE INDEXING.
MICROFILM
HMMA-38920, 25 May 1970, Previous Target Study
HMMA-39753, November 1970, Details of Cuba Month
UFAA-2430, 22 October 1970, and related correspondence
concerning Miami Station Contact with CRUZ'
relatives in Miami
tobi
"1. Forwarded under separate cover is the up-dated Target Study
on Jesus CRUZ Gonzalez, the Cuban Press Attache in Mexico, and his
wife, Mercedes MARTINEZ Moreno, Secretary to the Ambassador and Chargé.
As is clear from the attached study and the log of activities of CRUZ
during October 1970, CRUZ is extremely busy, has many contacts, and is
probably one of the more accessible members of the Cuban Embassy. On
the other hand, he is so busy with his overt activities working with
press matters, and handling the Cuban Embassy side of Prensa Latina, that
the Station does not believe he has practically any time free for intelli-
gence assignments. (Since the arrival of the Cultural Attache in
January 1970, CRUZ has dropped all cultural activities. He no longer
handles the Mexican-Cuban Cultural Institute.) He is on the phone with
or visiting the Prensa Latina offices several times each day. (He
arranges for subscriptions to publications (magazines and newspapers)
through Prensa Latina from the United States and Latin American countries.
and he orders books from various bookstores in Mexico City. He also
__handles the press material, including news film, coming to Mexico via
commercial flights from the Prensa Latina representative in Peru. He
orders photographic and other related supplies in Mexico and New York,
and handles visas for newsmen who wish to travel to Cuba. Mercedes does
lot to help CRUZ, as he does not have his own secretary. As can be seen
from the attached log, twice he dictated a cable over the phone for her t&
type for his signature. It is believed that when she returns in the
afternoon to the Embassy with CRUZ it is to help him.
Attachment:
Continued..
for FOIA Review op
Document Number
1226-11290
FEB 1977
Target Study u/s/c
Distribution:
✓ Orig. & 1
-
1
-
CROSS REFERENCE TO
att NSM
·tio
Chief, WHD (left half, h/w; right half, u/s/c) (att., u/s/c)
COS, WH/Miami (left half, h/w; right half, u/s/c) (att., u/s/c)
DISPATCH SYMBOL AND NUMBER
HMMA - 39809
CLASSIFICATION
SECRET
DATE
2 December 1970
HQS FILE NUMBER
201-337669
P-4061 FFN
13-00000
CLASSIFICATION
DISF
CONTINUATION OF
DISPATCH
SECRET
H SYMBOL AND NUMBER
HMMA
-
39809
201-265064.
2. The LIEMBRACES have surveilled CRUZ quite often, and only one
unusual contact was noted R That was a three hour luncheon with an
<Argentine leftist, Maximo SIMPSON Grinberg, a foreign correspondent
in Mexico for the magazine Medico Moderno. Generally speaking, CRUZ
leaves the Embassy during the working day alone on his errands, rather
than with another Embassy employee, which is more often the rule with
the other officers. CRUZ usually goes with his wife on errands during
the lunch hour or in the afternoon before returning to the Embassy.
These errands are on personal business such as to the furniture store,
super market, optics, doctor, etc; but also on business, such as to
bookstores. CRUZ' days are very long, as can be seen from the attached
log.
3. While Mercedes and CRUZ are very busy and have many contacts, they
do not seem to make close personal friends, and the persons with whom they
are in contact appear almost exclusively to be business contacts.
The
Station has been unable to locate any person who might make a good access
agent to CRUZ. None of the Station's agents mentioned in paragraph 6 of
HMMA-38920 were close to CRUZ. The closest companion would be the Subject
of 201-860095. The Station is reporting separately on its attempts to
develop and recruit this person.
4. The Station has even considered approaching CRUZ' maid,
especially when it became known she was so unhappy with her lot as a
servant. However, since the maid almost never leaves the apartment and
she is virtually inaccessible, the Station has been unsuccessful in
having any asset establish any degree of rapport with her, although a
contact of LITAINT-2 has been able to engage her in telephone contact
and hopes to date her eventually.
5. Since the Station believes that CRUZ is almost entirely
dedicated to press affairs, and no really good access agents are in
view, the Station will not make a priority effort to develop an entre into
CRUZ' circle except via the operation now underway to recruit 201-860095.
If this operation is successful, the Station would have an excellent asset
in frequent contact with CRUZ for a better personal assessment and
information on CRUZ' assignment in Nexico for the Cubans. Until this
type of information becomes available, however, the Station believes it
has identified CRUZ' role as almost purely press, and we have been unable
to detect any vulnerability data on either CRUZ or his wife.
CLASSIFICATION
FORM
8-64
53 a USE PREVIOUS EDITION.
(40)
SECRET
Elsu Pensier
Elsie I. SCALETTI
NO
PAGE NO.
CONTINUED
2 of 2
13-00000
"
1
13-00000
SECRET
NOT SEITABLE FOR MERAPHI
TARGET STUDY
201-337669
P-4061
November 1970
A. Basic Biographic Data
1. Full Name: Jesus CRUZ
Gonzalez
Jose de Jesus CRUZ Gonzalez (HMMW 15729)
2. Nicknames:
3.
"Chaparro" (Shorty) by Sergio Pineda of Prensa Latina
Date and place of birth:
Jesus: 18 November 1939, Sancti Spiritus, Las Villas,
Province, Cuba
Mercedes: 18 April 1940
4. Citizenship: Cuban (both)
5. Official identity or travel papers:
Arrived Mexico 20 November 1967 with following
passports:
Jesus, PP D/67/818
Mercedes, PP D/67/819
NOT SUITABLE FOR K
6.
Father:
a) of Jesus:
NOT SUITABLE FOR MICROFILM
Jesus CRUZ Morales, Prior to exit from Cuba lived
on a 2 1/2 caballerias farm, Carreno farm, La Chorrera
del Calvario, Havana Municipal District and Province.
Against regime. Arrived U.S. 13 November 1969 on Refugee
Airlift. Died 23 June 1970.
SECRET
CS COPY
201-337669
s/cAttle HMMA 39809
13-00000
SECRET
-2-
b) of Mercedes:
Name not known. He is known to have had a "taller"
(probably auto repair shop) which was nationalized.
He apparently was given nothing for it, just earned
a straight salary, which Mercedes' mother said was
not enough to live on. Mother wrote Mercedes in
May 1968 they were receiving 123 Cuban pesos and she
was unable to maintain the house with that. (Source:
LISAMPAN/BAKER) (Comment: It is not known whether
Mercedes contributes to her parents.)
7.
Mother:
a) of Jesus:
Carmen Elodina GONZALEZ Monteagudo. Arrived U.S.
13 November 1969 on Refugee Airlift. Resides 1223 N.W.
111th St., Miami, Tel. 75799866. Lives with daughter.
Has high blood pressure.
b) of Mercedes:
Name not known.
her husband.
8.
Spouse:
Still living in Havana with
Mercedes MARTINEZ Moreno, born 18 April 1940.
Married on 3 September 1960. Cruz was 22, Mercedes 19.
9. Children:
Ivan, born in Paris 15 October 1962.
Abel, born 12 December, about 1966, in Havana.
Axel, born the end of 1969 in Havana.
Note: Mercedes says she was very ill with her first
child. It was born premature and died. (Source:
LISAMPAN/BAKER).
SECRET
13-00000
SECRET
-3-
10.
Siblings:
a) of Jesus:
Digna
CRUZ Gonzalez, h. Humberto YERO Costa who
is a naturalized U.S. citizen. Reside: 1223 N.W.
111th St., Miami, Florida, Phone: 757-9866 (UFAA 603).
Digna has been in u.s. since about 1957. Born
about 1931. Has a ladies dress store, "Miss Digna's
Fashions" at 12320 West Dixie Highway, North, Miami,
Florida. Tel: 757-0886.
Santa Ma.
CRUZ Gonzalez, h.
ALONSO Escalona.
Edmundo Leopoldo
3 children.
Reside: 1258 N.W.
ALONSO, A 18 219 991,
100 Terrace, Miami, Florida.
working aluminum factory, but trying to get job
as technician in hospital. In U.S. since 13 November
1968.
Roger CRUZ Gonzalez, born 1941, w. Caridad GONZALEZ
Banes, 3 children. Roger is epileptic. Airlifted
to Miami in end 1969. Has been receiving medical
treatment at Jackson Memorial Hospital for his
epilepsy and is responding well. He has had no
attacks since starting the pills. He works and is
very happy.
Juan Enrique
CRUZ Gonzalez, born 14 February 1935.
W. Bertha Jose SAINZ Gonzalez, both live Miami.
11.
b)
of Mercedes:
No information on how many sisters or brothers
Mercedes has. However, according to LISAMPAN, her
Mother and Father are her only family in Cuba.
Other relatives by blood or marriage:
Jesus is known to have a very large family. See
UFAA 603. However apparently from the debriefing
conducted by WH/Miami of some members, none of the
family except Jesus is pro-Castro, and none hold high
level or important positions in Cuba.
SECRET
13-00000
SECRET
-4-
Mercedes said in 1968 that her Mother and Father
were the only family she had in Cuba. (Note:
It was impossible to interpret whether she meant part
of her family was outside Cuba, or this was all there
was to the family.)
LISAMPAN/BAKER:
reported in 1968 that Mercedes said
she had sent her nephew "Robertico" a pair of stockings.
12.
Religion:
UFAA 603, Source Jesus' sister, said that Cruz' family
is large and all are devout Catholics. Nine members
are priests or nuns. Until 1956 Jesus CRUZ was a
student at La Salle Seminary. An aunt on the father's
side was the Mother Superior of a convent in Cuba,
and is now in a convent in Spain.
Mercedes:
No indication Mercedes is Catholic nor
agnostic. In March 1968 she said she didn't think
the Soviets should have held a reception of the Soviet
poet Yevshenko in view of the death of the Soviet
astronaut GAGARIN a few days before.
13.
Education:
Jesus: UFAA 603. Was a student at La Salle Seminary
in Havana from 1946 to 1956 studying to be priest.
Left in 1956 to attend high school. He was graduated
in 1957.
Mercedes: Said she did not study either at secundaria
or preparatoria. (This means no high school education.)
Instead she said she studied some commercial courses.
(Note: She is a good secretary, and takes shorthand
and types. Source: LISAMPAN/BAKER.)
SECRET
13-00000
(
SECRET
-5-
14.
Languages:
Jesus: speaks some French (was stationed in Paris)
Mercedes: speaks some French and some English.
She thinks the English has been useful, but Jesus
apparently refuses to learn English and has chided
Mercedes about her having studied it. Mercedes is proud
of her French and likes to correct people's pronunciation
of French words. She says that when she speaks a lot
of English it is hard for her to express herself in
French. She has no trouble translating either French
or English. She studied English for 5 years.
(LISAMPAN/BAKER) (Source: Station appraisal of
Mercedes' English is that it is only fair.) ·
15.
Military service:
Not known.
16.
History of employment:
a) Jesus:
1958 or 59:
Nov. 1961
-
Western Union in Havana. (This is where
Jesus met Mercedes who was also working
for Western Union.)
Sept 1964:
Jesus was Press. Attaché in Paris.
(Mercedes worked in Paris as
personal secretary to Amb.
CARRILLO. The Cuban Diplomatic
and Consular Missions Abroad listed
Mercedes as an Attaché in Paris in
January 1963. It was also reported
she was Foreign Service II Assistant
which is an Attaché.
SECRET
13-00000
SECRET
-6-
HMMA 36071 reported Mercedes said she was
in Paris only during 1962 and 1963, but Jesus
remained until 1964.
LISAMPAN/BAKER reported on 21 August 1968 that
Mercedes said she was separated from Jesus for
9 months while he was in Europe, serving in Prague.
LISAMPAN/BAKER, 1968, Mercedes said that Mexico
was colder than Paris, and later Prague. Said
she arrived in Prague in full winter.
1965-1967:
'
Jesus was in Cuba working for the Foreign
Ministry (Source: Digna, the sister. Digna,
however, was wrong about the dates of Jesus assign-
ment in Paris which she gave as late 1962 to
late 1965) (Note: Possibly he was in Prague 1964-65.)
Mercedes may have worked in the Cuban Foreign
Ministry during the same period. HMMA 35071 reported
she worked in the "Direccion" with a girl who was
going to marry Pedro LLOPIS Salles, a courier.
LISAMPAN/BAKER reported on 8 August 1968 that Mercedes
made reference to the fact she worked in the "Ministry".
LISAMPAN/BAKER reported in November 1968 that
Mercedes gave instructions on typing of "Confi-
dential" correspondence. She said one copy goes
to Raul ROA (Foreign Minister). She said, "Don't
forget, I worked within the Secretary". HMMA 36071.
20 November 1967 CRUZ arrived PCS in Mexico as Press
and Cultural Attaché (Second Secretary). Mercedes
became the private secretary for the Ambassador.
(Note: She is one of two secretaries who are paid
in the Embassy.)
Record of arrests:
17.
Not known.
SECRET
13-00000
F
SECRET
-7-
18.
Physical description:
Jesus
Sex:
Male
Age:
31
Apparent age:
35
Height:
5'6"
Weight:
150 lbs.
Build:
Medium
Posture:
Regular
Face:
Oval
Eyes:
Dark
Hair:
Black
Beard or
mustache:
Clean shaven
Complexion:
White
Mercedes
Female
30
30
5'5"
120 lbs.
Medium
Regular
Oval
Dark
Black (dyed)
White (One reference
to her as mulatto.
Has full lips but does
not look negroid.)
Regular
Teeth:
Scars:
Habits of dress
Ethic type
Regular
None known
Suit
Desses quite well
appearance:
SECRET
Latin

13-00000
General appearance:
Prominent features:
Other identifying
features:
SECRET
-8-
Jesus
good
none
always wears
prescription glasses
Mercedes
good
none
B. Curriculum Vitae (Chronologically by year from birth
to present.)
Jesus'
youth was that of a normal middle class Cuban.
The father had a small farm and from the profits gave his
family a comfortable life. They were not, however, rich
or from the upper crust of the social ladder. Jesus'
sister said "we had everything we needed. We were middle
class Cubans, not rich, but not poor." Jesus was a student
during the Batista era before Castro. He did not have to
work; he just asked father for his expense money. Sister
thinks Mercedes was from a middle class family. (UFAA 2430,
22 October 1970)
Apparently in Havana, then Paris, Havana, Mexico City.
See Job history. Some question whether they went to
Prague, when, why, and for how long, possibly this was
after Paris.
C.
Personal and Private Data
1. Address and telephone number of present residence:
Amsterdam 218, Apt. 201
Mexico City, Mexico (DOI: November 1970)
Phone: 574-0224
SECRET
13-00000
SECRET
-9-
2.
Nature and description of lodging and surroundings:
a) previous apartment in Mexico City was only one
bedroom apartment. They lived there during their
first tour until Mercedes went home to have her third
baby. In January 1969 she said that when she returned
from Cuba she would seek new quarters. Her apartment
was uncomfortable and she couldn't receive people there,
they always had to eat out. Mercedes indicated to a
Embassy officer she would not ask for authorization from
Havana first as she might be turned down, then she would
not be allowed to move.
She indicated she brought from Recuperación de Bienes
a dining room and living room furniture. She bought
in Mexico her beds, and a refrigerator out of her own
salary. She thought she fared worse than other employees..
b) In early 1970 they rented their present apartment,
which has three bedrooms and two baths, plus a maid's
bedroom and bath. Living room, kitchen, dining room.
3. Location of resident, with respect to target installation:
15 blocks almost directly East from the Embassy.
4. Servants:
Rollock 201
"Clara Santa Cuban, negro. Has special Cuban passport and
is in Mexico as part of Cruz' household. Born about
1936. Called a "technical export".
In 1968 the Felix LUNA (201-759016) family also had
a Cuban maid which they brought with them when they
came PCS. That maid is no longer here. She was also
negro.
July 1968 Carlota, the other maid, said she saw the
records, and they were to get 1,000 pesos salary.
But deductions were to be made for food, etc. In mid-
1968 both Carlota and Clara Santa each got 500 pesos
(U.S. $40) per month. Mercedes always pays Clara
SECRET
13-00000
(
SECRET
-10-
promptly, but she is a stingy mistress, and deducts
from Clara Santa's salary every cent paid for the
maid's medicines, etc.
It is known that the Cuban government gives some
money to Clara Santa's mother in Cuba. How much
is not known. Clara Santa wated to ask for a part
of her mother's money in Mexico to help buy shoes,
clothes, etc. to take back to Cuba, but she was told
this was a capitalistic approach.
Mercedes, though strict, is good about sending
packages of medicines back to Cuba for Clara.
Clara is apparently very color conscious. Always asks
what color a person is. She says the Mexicans like
Negro women, therefore she had to be careful. (Note:
It is possible Mercedes told her this to keep her home,
as this was insinuated once.) Mercedes does not like
for Clara Santa to talk with people on the phone. The
other maid, Carlota, commented Mercedes treated Clara
like a child.
Clara's main complaint is that she has no free time, is
tied to the apartment, does not have time for the movies,
to get her hair done, etc. She also complains things
are expensive in Mexico. Likes to buy clothes. Mercedes
does help her with the washing and ironing. Mercedes
also helps by sending a lot of the laundry out, especially
that which needs ironing, like shirts. Compared to the
Luna's, the Cruz' do very little entertaining, thus
lightening Clara's work.
de ZULUETA
поэт
22 September 1970: Daisy/called Santa re the farewell
party given for Mrs. Luna. Santa said that Mercedes
asked Santa if she wanted to go, but Santa felt she had
to tell Mercedes she was the one who should go. Daisy
and Santa criticize all the women who work at the
Embassy, saying they are a bunch of hypocrites. (Main
complaint seems to be the other women have money, buy
clothes, etc.) Santa said she would be glad when
December came as she can then return to Cuba (did not
say for vacation or PCS).
SECRET
13-00000
SECRET
-11-
November 1970: Clara still seldom goes out. Her best
friend appears to be Daisy ZULUETA, also a negro.
Daisy does Clara's hair, sometimes shop together.
5.
Meals, where, when and with whom:
Jesus and Mercedes both generally return to the Embassy
after lunch. Lunch is often hurried at home. Comparatively
speaking they have few luncheon guests. Apparently they
often eat the evening meal out (in Mexico this is the
light meal of the day).
For an evening snack they often go to "El Farolita"
on the corner of Juanacatlan and Altata.
6.
Barber:
Not known, but Cruz always appears neat.
Mercedes goes to the beauty shop quite often. She
keeps her hair dyed--black.
7.
Tailor:
Jesus: As of September 1968 Jesus had two suits.
He apparently brought one with him from Cuba. He had
one made in Mexico. Cost him over 1,000 pesos (U.S. $80)
When in Yucatan during 1968, both Cruz and Mercedes
bought a lot of things (LIFEAT implied in the clothes
line). When Cruz returned in July 1968 he bought a
lot of Guayaberas (typical Yucatecan sport shirts).
SECRET
13-00000
8.
SECRET
-12-
Mercedes: In late 1968 it was commented Mercedes
had no long evening gown. She wore a short dress
to a special function.
Mercedes likes good clothes and buys good clothes
for herself and for the children.
(LIFEAT).
Dentist%3B physician: ✓ Carlos
Dentist: (May 1969)
✓
ho 201
Carlos CRISTO Campos, Gutemberg 34-7
по 201
Pediatrician: Dr. Roberto Zorrilla. Phone 525-51-62
(June 1970) Durango No. 243-401
9.
Shops frequented:
10.
Church attended:
Jesus was a Catholic. His current (1970) church
affiliation not known.
Mercedes: Church affiliation not known. No mention
that children are baptized, etc.
11.
Sports, participant:
4 September 1968 the maid said Cruz went out to play
ball. (Type of ball not specified.) LIFEAT
SECRET
13-00000
SECRET
-13-
12.
Sports, spectator:
13.
Sister reported UFAA 603 that Cruz liked sports
in general.
Time at residence:
14. Normal after hours activity:
15.
Cruz almost always returns to the Embassy after a
late lunch to work. He apparently works late at the
Embassy. In the evening he also has appointments.
Mercedes returns to the Embassy also. She either helps
Cruz, or sits in the gatehouse and gossips.
Cruz and Mercedes go to the movies a lot in the evening.
They both leave the Embassy together at 14:00 every
day and then surveillance shows that Mercedes and Jesus
generally run errands (grocery, dry cleaning, etc.)
after work and before or after lunch. Therefore they
take a long lunch break. Cruz also meets with Carlos
FERREIRA of Prensa Latina in Ferreira's apartment or
in Cruz'
< meets frequently with Cuban is attache 201-860095
Jesus Cruz Lingliz 201- 337669
>
Theater, cinema, ticket agencies:
Cruz and his wife do not appear to attend the theater.
There is mention that Mercedes will go to the movie
in the afternoon, after lunch, instead of returning
to the Embassy with Cruz to work.
SECRET
13-00000
SECRET
-14-
16. Night clubs, cafes, pubs:
There is little indication Cruz and his wife go to
night clubs, cafes. On 15 August 1968 they did go
to CARDINI's, but this probably because a Cuban
singer was playing there.
17.
Vacations:
Cruz and Mercedes do not appear to take vacations in
Mexico nor to travel much in Mexico on weekends.
Mercedes does, apparently, think it is important to
see the tourist sights as has told this to visiting
Cubans.
They also seldom go to Cuba. The whole family, including
maid, returned to Cuba for one month home leave in
January 1969, after having been in Mexico for 2 years.
Mercedes had not returned to Cuba in this time, nor had
the children.
She returned again with the children the end of
September 1969 to have her third baby. They all returned
to Mexico the end of January 1970.
18. Hobbies, clubs, lodges:
Cruz' sister indicated Cruz has no hobbies.
From information available to the Mexico City Station
neither Cruz nor Mercedes have been noted to have hobbies.
SECRET
13-00000
19.
20.
SECRET
-15-
Mistresses or lovers:
No indication Cruz has a mistress, nor that he is
interested in other women. The same,
Mercedes does
not seem to flirt with other men.
Personal friends:
Cruz and his wife do not seem to have close personal
friends. They seem to be colder, prefer to be alone,
and spend most of their time working or running family
errands. They do not even appear to develop close
freindships with their fellow employees. Mercedes
likes to gossip with the other employees, but her
friendship appears to stop there. Most of their contacts
appear to be in Cruz' line of work--press or cultural,
and are for business purposes.
Persons who visit Subject at residence:
21.
Other fellow employees.
22.
Correspondents:
Carlos Ferreira of Prensa Latina.
FR
201-130235
JESUS
Paris: HMMA 35050: Esther Maria OSSES of the University
of Paris wanted to go to Cuba and asked Cruz to write
her via the Cuban Press Attaché in Paris, She appeared
to be a friend of Cruz from his days in Paris. (Mexico
City Station has no record that the Paris Station
followed up this lead.)
have been noted.
No other letters from OSSES
SECRET
13-00000
SECRET
-16-
23.
Telephone contacts:
Cruz receives and makes many long distance phone calls
at his home. Calls came in from Havana, the Cuban
Mission in New York, and from cultural/press contacts
throughout Mexico. This was quite true during the
pre-Olympic season when the Cubans had many cultural
affairs (dance teams, art, etc.) circulating around
Mexico. Now the calls mainly concern press matters.
He calls the Cuban Missions in Canada and New York
re purchases they are making for him. Also calls Havana
and they call him at home.
24.
Tobacco:
Mercedes used to smoke "KOOL" cigarettes when she
was in Paris.
As of November 1970 it does not appear either smoke now.
(LITAINT-2)
25. Alcohol:
March 1968 Mercedes said Cruz was drunk the previous
night. No more details. (LISAMPAN/BAKER).
(November 1970) Gets drunk
LITAINT-2 reports Cruz cannot hold liquor, but insists
on drinking cognac.
occasionally.
26.
Eating habits:
15 August 1968: Cuban maid said Mercedes and Cruz
eat very little ordinarily. They prepare barely
enough so nothing is left over, and a last minute guest.
is a problem. Insinuation is that Mercedes is very
tight.
SECRET
i.
13-00000
SECRET
-17-
Mercedes does not like picante food. It does not agree
with her.
LITAINT-2 said Cruz eats heavily.
27.
Mode of transportation:
Cruz has and has always had a QP car in Mexico.
While he shares this with other Embassy officers
occasionally, it is usually his.
Cruz usually picks Mercedes up at home if she has to
do something or go to the Embassy late. But she also
quite often calls a cab to take her someplace. Once
she commented she had taken a bus.
Mercedes took driving lessons in Mexico on May 1970,
and occasionally drives alone but not as much as the
other driving wives.
28.
Chattel property:
Cubans provided Cruz with living and dining room
furniture, but in Mexico they bought their own beds,
and a refrigerator.
Bought a Phillips TV in Mexico.
Bought a company tablecloth June 1968.
Brought a vacuum from Cuba.
Mercedes commented she had a lovely bedspread in Cuba
and had to buy more here in Mexico.
29.
Personal bank accounts:
No known bank accounts, but it is believed Mercedes
and Cruz are saving every cent they can and are investing
in things to take back to Cuba.
SECRET

13-00000
Ꭰ .
SECRET
-18-
Other relevant personal information:
30.
30 June 1968:
Mercedes said she wanted to take
a TV and refrigerator back to Cuba as these things
were permitted.
Political Data
1.
Party membership:
15 May 1968: Mercedes indicated that Jesus Cruz
was not yet a member of the Party, but was a candidate
and should be accepted as a full-fledged member before
the end of the month. (LISAMPAN/BAKER) HMMA 36071
(OTA 2080 said Jesus' brother was interviewed in Cuba
in February 1969 in investigation to make Jesus CPC mbr.)
2.
Party functions:
3.
Cruz was invited to a lunch for members of the Party
in the Embassy in Mexico. Mercedes complained that
the Embassy should pay, not Cruz, because he was not
a member yet.
Degree of political conviction and indoctrination:
August 1968:
On the occasion of the USSR invasion
of Czechoslovakia, Mercedes at first did not believe
it, then said she was sure it couldn't happen to Cuba
because Cuba had no frontiers, and they (USSR?) are
far away. (LISAMPAN/BAKER)
SECRET
13-00000
SECRET
-19-
February 1969: Mercedes criticized many of the things
done by the government in Cuba, but seemed to remain
faithful to the Revolution, and at times commented
on the advantages gained by the poor people.
by Rita BLAZEK, LIFEAT/LISAMPAN transcriber.)
(Comments
February 1969: Cruz' two sisters and brother-in-law in Miami
believe Cruz is totally in favor of the current regime,
and nothing could induce him to defect or collaborate
with the U.S. One sister commented, however, that he
might have a favorable reaction if his parents got out
of Cuba. (Note: The sister was very emotional at this
point, and gave no reason why she thought Cruz would
change his mind.) UFAA 603
UFAA 1966:
Sister said Cruz is idealist, truly believes in
Castro. Convinced what he is doing is good for Cuba.
He is definitely a Fidelista, but not a Communist.
(LITAINT-2, November 1970)
6.
Other political data:
All of Cruz' family, except Cruz himself, is anti-
Castro and very pro-Catholic.
Mercedes' family is also anti-regime and several
are in exile. (See UFAA 603, no more details.)
Cruz was anti-Batista and took part in the struggle
against Batista. (UFAA 603)
The brother-in-law does not know if Cruz is anti-
American, but does not believe he would collaborate
with the U.S. (UFAA 603)
The Cuban government nationalized Mercedes' father's
plant and now they cannot live on their income.
Oldest boy 8 years old gave his father a present--
a Cuban boat shooting down U.S. plane. Mother's surprise
was tank with Cuban flag shooting down U.S. plane.
SECRET
13-00000
SECRET
-20-
Mercedes pretends to be a hard-core Revolutionary, but tries
to escape the menial revolutionary tasks, like taking her turn
at the office in various things.
E.
Job Data
1. Job title and PCS arrival:
20 November 1967
201-743389
Jesus: Second Secretary, Press and Cultural Attaché
(When Jorge HERNANDEZ Ojeda arrived PCS on 5 January
1970 he took over Cultural Attache > Since then Cruz
is only Press Attaché.)
Mercedes:
Private Secretary to the Ambassador.
2. Official documents and credentials carried:
diplomatic passports
3.
Rank and salary:
Jesus: not known
Mercedes: gets 150 (presumably Cuban pesos) per
month plus "nivel de vida".
SECRET
13-00000
4.
5.
SECRET
-21-
Allowances:
Rent allowance, and "nivel de vida" (probably a
equalization allowance.)
Where employed:
Cuban Embassy, Mexico City.
Mercedes is in the
anteroom to the Ambassador's office in the main
building. Cruz' office is in a building in the rear
of the compound in another building also occupied by
the Commercial offices.
In June 1970 the Portero said Jesus has no fixed hours
at the Embassy. Jesus generally arrives at the Embassy
with Mercedes anywhere from about 8:30 to 9:30. They
leave together about 14:00 14:30 for lunch and return
about 17:00 or 18:00.
-
6.
Basic duties:
Jesus Cruz:
a) In Paris, Jesus was head of the Press Department
and was responsible for distribution of over-all work
in the Embassy. Constantly tried to make high level
French contacts, and was involved in France-Cuba
association. Also handled liaison with Soviet Bloc
establishments, particularly Russian and Czech Embassies.
(HMMN 16254)
b) In Mexico, from date of arrival November 1967 till
January 1970 Cruz handled both Cultural and Press matters
for the Cubans in Mexico, including most Olympic cultural
matters.
c) One of his main press jobs is the responsibility
for Prensa Latina. This responsibility includes the
control of Prensa Latina's finances. All the bills
must be submitted to Cruz, and Cruz reimburses PL
based on accountings. The PL Telex bills, for example,
SECRET
13-00000
SECRET
-22-
JESUS
d) In the cultural field his main responsibility
was liaison with the Cultural Institutes throughout
Mexico. He provided the institutes with propaganda
material, film. He attended or saw that someone.
else attended major functions at the various institutes;
arranges cultural events such as art exhibits, visiting
Cuban musicians and artists, etc. During the pre-
Olympic period in the summer and fall of 1968 this cul-
tural responsibility was extremely time consuming as the
Cubans were very active in this cultural exchange field.
e) Cruz also attended various meetings held in honor
of Cuba, the Cuban Revolution, Che Guevara, etc.
mainly in Mexico City.
f) In line with both the press and cultural jobs,
Cruz was responsible for the handling of visas for persons
connected in both the press and cultural fields. He,
not the Consulate, would obtain the visas and was the
Cuban contact. After January 1970, Cruz' responsibility
is limited to the press field. In May 1968 Cruz was
the Embassy employee to whom students were referred if
they planned to visit Cuba to attend various celebrations.
(HMMA 34705)
g) In July 19, 1968, the Embassy said that Cruz was
needed to sign some passports. (It is not known whether
this concerned visas or actual issuance of passports.)
Note: In 1970 only the Cuban Chargé and Consul were
authorized to issue visas.
201-777875
h) In the press field, in July 1968 it was Cruz, who
was responsible for arranging with Dr. Arnaldo Orfila
of the publishing house Siglo XXI for the publication
of Che Guevara's diary in Spain.
Publisher
i)
In April 1969 Cruz dedicated an exhibition of en-
gravings by Cuban artists in the Coyoacan theater.
(This showing was also to be circulated to Guadalajara,
Monterrey, Veracruz, and Merida.)
XX
امد ما
201-853378
j) On 5 June 1969 Jorge SANTIESTEBAN, a Peruvian
journalist, arrived in Mexico from Cuba and contacted
sus Cruz at the Embassy. He said that Telesforo DIAZ who
is head of Foreign Press of the Cuban Foreign Ministry
had asked him (SANTIESTEBAN) to see Cruz who would give
him "the photos".
SECRET
13-00000
SECRET
-23-
C
8.
k) When Cuban Press Office was negotiating for Telex
equipment Cruz was named as the person responsible for
technical service of the equipment. (HMMA-36065, 19
December 1968)
Mercedes:
a) In Mexico her main responsiblity is as private
secretary to the Ambassador.
Cruz also gives her a
lot of his work to do. Now (November 1970) she is
secretary for the Charge.
b) A regular job is handling the diplomatic mail.
She apparently is responsible for the outgoing pouch,
even though she usually gets help from one of the men
in closing the pouch. In July 1968 she made a reference
that her biggest cross to bear is the preparation of
the pouch each Friday and Monday (the days of the Cubana
flights). LISAMPAN/BAKER (HMMA 36071). On 4 September
1968 she told the Austrian Embassy that she was in charge
of the diplomatic mail to Cuba. Apparently, however,
she doesn't always open or distribute the incoming pouch.
In November 1968 the Ambassador's chauffeur had opened
the pouch and Mercedes did not know what was in the pouch.
c) There is also an indication Mercedes is responsible
for all classified filing and material in the Embassy.
Before she arrived, each man handled and kept his won.
She now maintains the safes and gives instructions on
the handling of classified materials.
d)
In 1970, Nov., she said she was responsible for all
"duty exemptions" (franquicias)
Special duties (IS):
Jesus:
a)
The end of June and early July 1967 there were
four inspectors at the Cuban Embassy in Mexico City.
(Source: LIRING-4, MEXICO CITY 2053, 10 July 1967).
A study of flight manifests showed that one of two
Cubans who was in Mexico for a long TDY around this
time was Jesus Cruz who was in Mexico 12 June to
15 July on Prensa Latina matters. LIENVOY showed he
was in working contact with LIRING-9 and 201-776733.
(MEXICO CITY 2219, 20 July 1967)
SECRET
13-00000
(
SECRET
-24-
AMBEDEW-1 identified Cruz as DGI, Section II-1
(DIR 04323, 22 May 1969)
22
Identified as DSE (HMMN 15729)
201-732870
According to Heriberto JORRIN, Embassy gatehouse keeper,
Cruz replaced Julian LOPEZ Diaz (LIENVOY, 11 December 1967)
LOPEZ Diaz (201-351555) was the former Cuban Press and
Cultural Attaché who was forced to leave Mexico on
30 September 1966 because of involvement in subversive
activities (arms shipments) in Mexico.
201-843271
15 September 1968: Cruz was seen meeting with Silvia
FR Gaytan, who was apparently a Cuban source at the University.)
The meeting was at Sanborns and she showed Cruz some
pamphlets and papers. She also made an appointment with
Cruz for the 18th.
The Ambassador signs at least some of Cruz' confidential
correspondence. (HMMA 35308, 26 August 1968)
August 1968 201-353229.
In Paris Cruz was in contact with Juań MARI Bras,
Puerto Rican independence leader and Cuban intelligence
agent. (HMMW 15729) contact with Jesin by 201-337669
Mercedes:
in
in Pari
=>
1201-759014
was
b) Mercedes is known to pull special guard or other
duty in which the employees take turns In November
1968 she got out of this duty on some pretext and/found
out as she was seen shopping downtown. ✓ Rosa Luna.
complained that Mercedes did not like taking the duties.
The maid complained of the same thing, that Mercedes
always tried to get out of these duties, by saying she
had to go out with Jesus, stay home, etc.
SECRET
13-00000
SECRET
-25-
Superiors:
9.
a)
degree of intimacy:
201-301755
In May 1968 the Ambassador Joaquin HERNANDEZ
Armas appeared to be defending himself to Cruz,
maintaining that he, HERNANDEZ, has not made a
political statement as it was published in the news-
paper El Heraldo. HMMA 34728.
_ b)
201-759016
410201
In August 1968, Felix Luna referred to Eduardo
X MUÑOZ Gutierrez of the Cuban National Council of
Culture was Cruz' boss. (MEXICO CITY 6837, 20 August 68).
Cung 201-337669
c) Rita BLAZEK, transcriber, commented that Mercedes
is very correct with the Ambassador, yet is also
friendly and relaxed with him.
10.
Subordinates:
Jesus Cruz' principal subordinates are the Prensa
Latina chief. He appears to rely more on his wife
than he does his part-time secretary for business W10201
matters. The Station believes he can use Rosa FERNANDEZ
de ALVAREZ, the secretary of Jorge HERNANDEZ, Cultural
Attaché.
With the Prensa Latina men, he gives quite specific
instructions. He believes he should be consulted more
by Prensa Latina, so that it can be sure to follow the
line. He is on the phone constantly with Prensa Latina,
going to their office or having Prensa Latina employees
come to the Embassy.
Mercedes appears to get along well with all the
employees in the Embassy, and is very friendly with
official Cuban visitors. She especially likes to
gossip. In this gossip she often criticizes the other
compañeras in the Embassy.
SECRET
13-00000
SECRET
-26-
30 July 1968: LIFEAT: Luna had 19 to eat the day
before, but Mercedes said she wouldn't have these (?)
people to eat. Said it was poor taste. The maid.
commented that the Cruz' talk poorly of these people.
Then the maid said Astorga is a diplomat. (It cannot
be told if Astorga who is lower level employee of the
Embassy, was included in the dinner crowd.)
11. Business and Personal Contacts:
201-085148
vited of 301-32766 this home
March 1968: Cruz was invited to the home of Guatemalan
Mario Monteforte Toledano, with a group of socialist
newsmen, (LIENVOY).
/201-810397
May 1968: Jesus was invited to eat by Mario MENENDEZ
Rodriguez leftist Mexican publisher. Cruz preferred
to eat out in the evening, 8:30. Tuontict of fecul
15 June 1968:
ARAU's home.
201-₤33766.
Mercedes and Jesus were invited to Alfonso-
(actor)
Prestativer, representa
10201 in Puebla Maxw
16 June 1968: Guillermo Trejo Oviedo of Prensa Latina
weekly newspaper in Puebla, called the Embassy. Gate-
house gave him Cruz' home phone. Cruz was upset that
Trejo was given this number. Trejo wanted a loan as
he needed money to run his newspaper, he hadn't paid
for the paper yet. Cruz indicated this was not up to
him, but the decision of the Embassy and for Trejo to
call there. (Trejo is long time contact of the Embassy
and the newspaper has printed articles favorable to
Cuba.) MEXICO CITY 5972, June 1968. Possible Cubans
subsidizing the paper.
9 July 1968: Sr. Guillermo Trejo Olviedo called Cruz
at the Embassy. Cruz wasn't in.
SECRET
13-00000
SECRET
-27-
Professor Barón of Liceo-Franco Mexicano met Cruz at
an Embassy reception. He called Cruz because he
had a friend who wanted to go to Cuba. Cruz had some
books and publications he thought might interest Baron.
Cruz was invited to Baron's home. Phone 562-37-46.
23 July 1968:
de Cruz.
24 August 1968:
70201
Mrs. Marta Tamayo tried to reach Mercedes
✓ 2017 INSUF BIO DATA
One Carlos Perez, believed to be from
Prensa Latina, was trying, desperately to
at home. Am
OF. Masa Lalons contrac
201-337664
Jesus
September 1968: One "Maruja" was calling Cruz at home.
She said they would meet "at the same time and place
agreed on".
< contact of Jesus Crary 201-337164
September 1968: One Sylvia called and left word she would
meet Cruz for Sunday breakfast at Sanborns on Durango.
(May be clandestine contact Sylvia Duran.) 201-740720
201-83356O
FR
February 1968: Sanchez McGregor of the University
of Puebla,DE: K::::::: receiving packages of university material
Liversity material
from Cuba via Cruz. (LI ENVOX)
1204-33166
510201.
*201-225827
May 1968: Ma. Teresa Chagoya, of the Asociacion de la
Juventud de Oaxaca, stopped by the Embassy to see Cruz,
contact of Cruz 201-33-7669
Sr. Bernard Diederich (P-3851), Life/Time correspondent
in Mexico, was invited by Cruz to a film showing at
the Embassy.
contact of fisur Cruz 201-332669
✓
no201
Jorge Godoy of the Teatro Coyoacan, borrows film from
Cruz.
October 1968: maid said Mercedes went to lunch with
some newsmen.
20201
Jaime Casillas of AMEX assigned Habana, has been in
touch with Cruz. 201 - 33.7669
امده
January 1969: Cruz was contacted by Carlos REBOLLEDO
in Caracas. Rebolledo is from the Departamento de
Cine, the University of Merida, Venezuela. They dis-
cussed Casa de las Americas matter. (MEXICO CITY 8828)
201-337609
with Jesen wery ?
SECRET

13-00000
SECRET
-28-
امد ملا
11 January 1969: Anibal CORTINES, of the magazine
Punto Final of Chile, contacted Cruz. (MEXICO CITY 8712)
# Contact of Jesus 261-337 A
Jaime Delgado from Chihuahua.
410201
Cuernavaca
January 1969: Miss Walentina BORREMAN,
Phone 2-45-90.
Wal
√ Fernan
поло
1
17 January 1969: Fernando CASTILLO, from Guatemala,
contacted Cruz for a visa.
20201
25 January 1969: Margarita BAUCHE, protest singer,
was inviting group together. Bauche's sister contacted
Cruz to come to cocktail party for cultural revolutionary
groups.
4 March 1969: Sr. Villalba of Coyoacan, identifying
himself as LUJUAN (ph), called Cruz. Cruz agreed to
see him late that Thursday.
26 April 1969: Prof ✓ Rosenthan of UNAM, Prof of
electronics, promised to call Cruz and stop by and
see him.
40201
3 May 1969: Mario Aurelio ESPITIA (P-13,505) in Morelia,
Michoacan, contacted Cruz re a cultural week in Morelia.
(LI ENVOY)
пола
24 June 1969: Cruz invited Victor SANDOVAL of
Aguascalientes, phone 3443, to go to Cuba.
20 April 1970:
Arnold WALL.
(LIENVOY)
Cruz called Paris, France, KLE 5230, for
Operator said noone answered the Embassy
or Residence phones.
phones. (LI ENVOY)
20 April 1970:
30 201
Mario GODOY of Novedades.
110201
21 April 1970: Forge VIVEROS insisted on talking
to Cruz. He was finally given an appointment.
hovel
21 April 1970: Jorge SALDAÑA of Televicentro was
referred to Cruz to get a visa to visit Cuba for a story.
SECRET
13-00000
:
SECRET
June 1970: ✓ Haydee
-29-
120 201
Haydee Alemán de Rodriguez, Dept. de
Pesquera, Banco Industrial de Peru, sent a letter
to Jesus, marked on envelope "para Jaime". Letter
was for her brother, Jaime Aleman
منا
in Cuba.
201
July 1970: Cruz ordered an olive green bush hat and
bush jacket from LITAINT-2, with web belt, guerrilla
dagger, and 8 utensil knife like that used by boy scouts.
used 201- 265064.
9 July 170: ate lunch with Argentine Maximo SIMPSON,
3-6 p.m. Chalet Italiano (SIMPSON is Argentine with
long leftist record. In medical publication business
in Mexico.)
24 July 1970:
Georgine VIERA,
LI MUD: Mercedes got a letter from a
Calle 110- No 302-3, Miramor, Marinao.
пого
10 August 1970: Cruz took a long distance call from
Patzcuaro from Esteban ATLAS who asked for Cruz.
Cruz denied he was in.
5 September 1970: (Thursday) Cruz and Carlos Ferreira
of Prensa Latina planned to visit the beach together
Sunday. Then Gabriela called Cruz from Prensa Latina
to tell him the Press Club panned to visit Taxco
Sunday. Not known which Cruz finally did.
8 September 1970: LIENVOY: Cruz called Domeo in
Havana re 3 packages he had sent to Cuba of printing
materials--duplimats, pencils, tapes, erasers, etc.
Cruz said he had received the money.
Later that same day Cruz called Prensa Latina and
talked with Ferreira regarding the things sent for
Dacourt. Ferreira said the first pacakge held 300
maters, 13 erasers, 6 pencils, correct, and 400
DUPLIMATS. 2nd package held 30 tapes, 1,000 DUPLIMATS,
and still outstanding were 2 erasers, 600 DUPLIMATS.
Cruz asked for the bills..
MO 201
10 September 1970: LÍ ENVOY: Cruz called NY from
his home, talked with Haydee Piedra Cueva re info on
Cruz' request for 2 Phillips model 4408 semi professional
tape recorders.
SECRET.
13-00000
SECRET
-30-
E
NO 201
14 September 1970:
LIENVOY: Antonio ROSETTE
asked for Cruz and whether the material had arrived
on Monday's flight.--Had not.
14 September 1970: LI ENVOY: Francisco Mora (541-2852)
artist, wanted to introduce Cruz to Raul KAMPFNER, 0201
Director of Cine.
15 September 1970; LIENVOY: Antonio Rosette called
Cruz to see if the material he had filmed (presumably
in Cuba) had arrived. Cruz said he would query Cuba
and would go to Rosette's house on Thursday the 17th,
alone, to discuss this. Rosette phones: 549-49-55;
516-01-58.
Ins biodata
15 September 1970: Alberto LOPEZ called Cruz at the
Embassy. Cruz not in.
70201
Maria Eugenia Saul called Cruz
15 September 1970:
at the Embassy, not in.
10201
15 September 1970: LI ENVOY: Cruz called Prensa
Latina. Roger MENENDEZ was there so Cruz talked to
him. Roger said Cruz was hard worker as never could
find him. Agreed to talk next week to make a date to
get together.
15 September 1970: LIFEAT: 8:49 Mercedes calls Cruz
at the office, not in. She left word people were in
the apartment waiting for Cruz. (Had supper engage-
ment, presumably at home.)
201-252880
17 September 1970: LIENVOY: Prof. Edelberto TORRES
was at the Embassy looking for Cruz at noon. (Comment:
Possibly connected with series of talks TORRES sponsored
at UNAM on Chile, pro-Cuba and/pro-Commie.)
and/P
17 September 1970: LIFEAT:
envelope to Cruz' apartment.
17 September 1970: LIFEAT:
Cruz at home, Cruz not in.
SECRET
Instro data.
Avila Camacho took an
Cruz was at Prensa Latina.
.10201
Carlos Carrillo called
13-00000
SECRET
-31-
پر
17 September 1970:
phone 22466.
Cruz called Sr. Jerez at Tampico,
17 September 1970: In background conversation from
phone call at home, could be overheard following:
Mercedes was complaining to Cruz that everyone at the
Embassy gave her work to do while others play around.
Cruz told her not to pay any attention to Angel.
Cruz then called Sr. Jerez, Cia Villasana, 2-24-66,
Tampico, Customs Brokers, re shipment from Holand. He
needed info to get the franchise to get a shipment of
2 record players and one TV through customs. Cruz
was told to call the Representaciones Maritimas in Mexico
City, Avenida Juarez 42, Edificio D-11th floor and they
would notify the Tampico office.
Later Cruz called airlines to see about air freight from
Tampico.
погод
18 September 1970: LIFEAT: Cruz called from home
to Havana 30-49-70, Araceli (Arita) Herrero to see what
happened to the things, she was to send him. She told
Cruz they were ready but not picked up. Cruz told her
to call "Papo" in the pouch section and have him send
it to Cruz.
18 September 1970: Cruz from home called Prensa Latina
to discuss new subscriptions he wanted from Panama and
Caracas. Also ordered the Xerox machine to be changed.
18 September 1970: LI ENVOY: Cruz met the Cubana flight.
19 September 1970: Sr. Arredondo, Morelos #5, Apt. 3
Tlalnepantla, Edo. de Mexico, contacted Cruz to say he
was going to have a Cine Club at the Municipal Cmte
of the PRI. Cruz promises film. Cruz promises to see
Arredondo the next week to coordinate a trip to the
interior.
19 September 1970: Luna called Cruz to go over to his
apartment. (ca. 5:30 afternoon)
SECRET
13-00000
C
SECRET
-32-
21 September 1970: Cruz indicated he would not be
in the next day, Mirabal would take his place.
He went out of town, not known where.
21 September 1970: Cruz called Tampico and Canada
from his apartment again.
again.
Ins bid data
21 September 1970: Avila Camacho offered Cruz his
projection room (probably at Banco).
✓ 20201
21 September 1970: LIFEAT: Woman outside (Marina
de Corrales) called Cruz to give him her new address.
Amsterdam 302. She had something to tell Cruz
201-74307
22 September 1970: Miguel DONOSO called Cruz to see
if Cruz had received a word from his daughter. Cruz
said no. Cruz then tells Donoso re showing of film
at Teatro Orientacion, Thursday, 5:30 and would see
him there.
23 September 1970: Domeo in Havana called Cruz to get
the price on 400 boxes of photographic paper agfa-gebaer.
BS-1, 8.24 cmts.
22 September 1970: LIENVOY: Cruz talked with Moya
re a new Bell and Howell 16mm projector.
22 September 1970: Cruz called Sr. Tomeo of COR Nacional.
23 September 1970: LIENVOY: Havana told Cruz the
U.S. $2,800 was deposited for Cruz to buy the photographic
material from Gustavo Tomeo.
H0201.
23 September 1970:
LIENVOY:
позов
Cruz called Aurora Velasco and
Antonio ROSETTE (549-49-85) to invite them to a special
film showing 24 September.
23 September 1970: Jesus and Mercedes worked at Embassy
until 19:30.
23 September 1970: LIENVOY: Cruz called Quebec re the
purchase in Canada of tape recorders.
SECRET
13-00000
SECRET
-33-
24 September 1970: Cruz spoke with Jerez of Villasena
y Cia re packages in Tampico. There was a problem
with the markings.
24 September 1970: Embassy movie
at Teatro Orientaciones.
10201
17:30
25 September 1970: Got call from Raul CHIN, made
arrangements visit Cruz at Embassy.
29 September 1970: Went to official despedida of
Luna (all evening affair).
28 September 1970: Discussed with Mercedes at Embassy
doing some newspaper clippings.
110201
29 September 1970: Called Imprenta Madera, spoke with
Sra. Neus Estresate, said he left 2 packages of books
on Che at the gatehouse. He had promised her these.
30 September 1970: Attended cocktails at Foreign Press
Club.
30 September 1970: Went to LITAINT-2's home 2:40
to pick up clothing for his children that LITAINT-2
had supposedly brought from States. Cruz and wife would
stop by later in evening about 9:00 p.m. for the things,
but did not show. Cruz took the tennis racquet,
promising to pay later.
later.
201-069995
17 September 1970: Antonio Nuñez Jimenez, President
of the Cuban Academy of Sciences, wrote "Compañero
Jesus Cruz Gonzalez', thanking him for sending the
Academy a copy of the book "Submarine Geology".
поза
17 September 1970: Israel Garcia Avila, Director of the
Instituto de Biologia wrote to Comp. Jesus Cruz Gonzalez
thanking Cruz for the packages of books. (This is
under the Cuban Academy of Science). The books were
from the Biblioteca del Congreso of USA. Apparently
some books were missing that had been listed on the
shipment. The Director lists this and would like to
know what happened. Examples are:
SECRET
13-00000
12.
SECRET
-34-
Carl P. Swanson, The Cell, 1969.
William L. Homes, Drugs affecting lipid metabolism,
1969.
G.E. Nelson, Fundamental concepts of biology, 1970.
Karl Stiles, College zoology, 1970.
October 1970: See attached log.
4 November 1970: Ferreira set up a meeting in evening
for Cuz and heads of Excelsior--got rum from the Embassy
for the party.
Work schedule:
LISAMPAN/BAKER: June 1968: Mercedes complained that
Jesus Cruz always had something to do--was always busy.
Cruz and Mercedes both arrive at work early--leave about
2:00 for lunch, then return later in the afternoon.
13.
Lunch and rest periods:
Cruz and Mercedes often go home just for a quick
lunch. Then have a meeting, or back to the office.
SECRET
13-00000
SECRET
-35-
14.
Times, routes, vehicles, from lodgings to and from work:
Cruz almost always drives to the office in his QP.
Mercedes drives with him usually. Otherwise, she takes
a cab or bus.
Seldom does anyone other than Mercedes accompany Cruz.
Travel:
15.
Date
Who
From
To
Why
20 Nov 67
Cruz
Cuba
Mexico
PCS
23 Feb 68
Cruz
1 Mar 68
Cruz
Mexico
Cuba
Cuba
Mexico
16 May 68
Cruz, Mercedes
Mexico
Merida
Invited by Governor
to Technological
school inauguration
27 May 68
Cruz
7 June 68
Cruz
Mexico
Cuba
Cuba
Mexico
29 Nov 68
Cruz
2 Dec 68
Cruz
Mexico
Cuba
Cuba
Mexico
31 Jan 69
Cruz, Mercedes,
2 boys, maid
Mexico
Cuba
vacation
28 Feb 69
Cruz, Mercedes,
Cuba
Mexico
2 boys
7 Mar 69
maid
17 Apr 69
Cruz
Cuba
Mexico
Mexico
Monterrey
visited
Cultural Institute,
Monterrey
18 Apr 69
Cruz
Monterrey Mexico
4 July 69
Cruz
7 July 69
Cruz
Mexico
Cuba
Cuba
Mexico
5 Sept 69
Cruz
Mexico
SECRET
Vancouver Arrived Paris from
London 6 Sept.,
left for Prague
9 September.
13-00000
SECRET
-36-
(
Date
20 Sept 69
Who
Mercedes, 2 boys
From
To
Why
--
Mexico
Cuba
Mercedes to give
birth
15 Dec 69
2 Jan 70
23 Jan 70
Cruz
Cuba
Mexico
Cruz
Mexico
Cuba
Cruz, Mercedes,
3 sons
Cuba
Mexico
SECRET
13-00000
16.
SECRET
-37-
Subject's access to safes:
August 1968: Mercedes was trying to finish a
"confidential" in time for the pouch. She reportedly
is in charge of all classified material in the Embassy.
She is known to have safes in her room. (LISAMPAN,
LITAMIL-7)
17.
Passes or keys carried:
October 1968:
Mercedes left the keys in her raincoat
pocket at home. Had to go after them in order to
"open everything up". (LIFEAT)
18.
Professional reputation:
Jesus:
201-784463.
28 April 1968: Lino Salazar Cuban Consul in Veracruz,
had arranged a big innauguration for the Cultural
Institute there with plans for the Ambassador to attend.
When he contacted the Ambassador directly, the latter
said Cruz had mentioned nothing and therefore, the
Ambassador already had plans. (HMMA 34634).
May 1968: A Mexican called the Embassy and Ambassador
to complain about Cruz and how he was handling the
matters of the ballet, etc. The complaint center on
the propaganda for the cultural events--program drafts
were full of errors, arrived late at the printers. He
also complained he could never find Cruz, and Cruz
didn't understand the problems. Ambassador promised to
speak to Cruz.
June 1968: Someone from Morelia asked the Ambassador
for a written report inviting Mexican artisans and
ballet (presumably to Cuba). Hernandez knew nothing
about the plans.
SECRET

13-00000
F.
SECRET
-38-
June 1968: In connection with Cuban Olympic cultural
performances Cruz complained that the Cubans didn't
give him adequate photos, catalogues, etc., and the
Cubans complained Cruz didn't give them information on
itinerary. Said Cruz should have given more details
on what was needed. LIFEAT
по 201
7 May 1970: Venezuelan newspaperman Ciro Medina
complained to a Prensa Latina contact that Jesus Cruz
was a little "slow" (inefficient) and didn't know the
score. He had had Medina's papers for a visa for a
week and hadn't touched them. (LI ENVOY)
Mercedes seems to be quite efficient, and Jesus seems
to depend a lot on her in his work.
Control Data
1. Family difficulties:
None. Cruz lets Mercedes run the show.
2.
Difficulties in office:
Cruz: none
September 1970: Mercedes complained to Cruz that
everyone at the Embassy gave her work to do while
others played around. Cruz told her not to pay any
attention to Angel (Morales, Charge and her boss).
201-868134
3.
Difficulties with friends:
Avoids people he owes money to until he pays them back.
SECRET
13-00000
SECRET
-39-
(
4. Persons to whom most attached:
5.
Material things to which most attached:
6. Information which could be used to blackmail:
7.
Information which could be used to shock or depress:
He could be shocked by potential loss of salary or
potential Prensa Latina flap, which is his greatest
fear.
SECRET
13-00000
SECRET
-40-
Psychological Assessment
Appearance, habits and mannerisms:
G.
1.
a)
1)
Appearance:
Describe personal appearance:
She
Mercedes pays a lot of attention to the way
people dress and she pays a lot of attention
to her own dress and that of the children.
pays a lot of attention to her hair and spends a
lot of time at the beauty parlor.
Cruz is always neat.
2)
Describe ordinary style of dress--undressing
and clothes in general:
August 1968: LIFEAT: Maid said Cruz was changing
his shirts twice a day but leaves them black because
does not take a bath.
August 1968: Maid said Cruz has two suits. Brought
one with him, had one made in Mexico which cost
more than 1,000 pesos.
Cruz' spend a lot on clothes.
Expressiveness:
b)
1) How expressive?
Gestures? etc.:
Uses gestures and expressions to prove point.
(LITAINT-2)
The sister says that Cruz is agreeable, affectionate
with his family, especially with his parents.
Mercedes is very talkative and communicative.
(LIFEAT/LISAMPAN)
SECRET
13-00000
SECRET
-41-
2) Signs of tension:
Nervous, always worried about flaps.
3)
Use of profanity:
No.
2. Health and Stamina:
1) What is general state of health?
Both Mercedes and Cruz and the children seem to be
quite healthy.
3.
4.
Skills:
a. What specific skills or abilities does he possess:
Mercedes takes dictation and types. The telex was
installed in her office for a time, and it is believed
she can run a telex.
Interpersonal behavior:
a.
Typical social behavior--natural, comfortable,
warm, shy, passive, etc.
LIFEAT
-
16 August 1968: Cuban maid said Mercedes
puts on a good act with visitors--i.e., that she is
happy to see them.
SECRET
13-00000
SECRET
-42-
€
31 July 1968: Maid reported that when a man came
to visit whom Mercedes knew very well, Mercedes did
not lift a hand to help Clara. But when a man came
whom Mercedes did not know too well, she tries to
impress the man by working in the kitchen to impress
the man with her feelings of equality.
Maid said Mercedes does not like visitors. She does
not go along with the confraternity idea and of establish-
ing good relations with one's comrades. Mercedes does.
not want this at her house.
When being introduced to a stranger, Cruz is very
business-like.
5. Summary of estimate of his poise and self assurance:
Mercedes appears to have a strong personality.
From her language she does not appear to be well-bred.
The low-level Embassy employee on occasion kidded her
about being mulatto. (HMMA 36767)
6. Family Orientation:
Transcribers note: Cruz often gives his wife work,
He relies on his wife. He talks fast, and sounds
domineering when talking to his wife. (BLAZEK).
29 March 1968: Mercedes explained Cruz was going
to Monterrey and she couldn't go. In Cuba he never
wanted to take her. (Apparently on business trips).
LISAMPAN/BAKER.
June 1968: Mercedes recounted in a dream she
mentioned the name "Oscar" just as Jesus arrived
home from outside and overheard her. He got furious.
(He is very jealous). When Mercedes asked if Cruz
didn't trust her, he said "the danger is in over-confidence"
SECRET
13-00000
SECRET
-43-
(
August 1968: (BAKER): Mercedes told a fellow female
worker that no matter how much you love your mother
and father, when you are married, you have your husband.
21 August 1968: (BAKER): Mercedes says she believes
you should be with your husband. That is why she
is married--to live with her husband. She left Cuba
with her husband even though she knew her Mother would
miss her. Mercedes and Jesus were separated once, and
she said it was not good for them nor the children.
HMMA 36071 (BAKER): Mercedes is very loving with her
children and pampers them a lot.
BLAZEK: February 1969: Mercedes worries about her
sons, but sometimes has to scold the eldest because
he behaves badly in school (classes in the Embassy).
Since school is in the Embassy he is often in her
office with her.
Mercedes has mentioned the problem of the children
being influenced by TV programs, and she said she
intended to send the boys to Cuba with her mother in
the event she stays much longer in Mexico. She doesn't
want them to acquire bad capitalistic habits.
Mercedes often quarrels with her husband in the office
over the fact that he gives her too much work to do.
She claims she is over-worked anyway.
LISAMPAN/BAKER:
September 1968:
Mercedes tells
fellow employee that she (Mercedes) does not have to
ask permission from Jesus to buy something unless it
is a large investment.
LISAMPAN/BAKER: Cruz entered the office, asked for
a kiss, and Mercedes replied, "Tu me quieres nada más
para que te resuelva todos los lios que tu formas".
(You only love me because of the messes I have to get
you out of.)
SECRET
13-00000
SECRET
-44-
LISAMPAN/BAKER: 12 November 1968: When Mercedes
was on the phone with the maid, Santa, the conversation
appeared to concern gossip over Jesus' family. Mercedes
indicated that "that will change the matter, Jesus said
yesterday, we are going to maintain our distance, she
is just bringing a story, and there are many in Cuba
living in this way." Later Mercedes said her in-laws
were in Cuba and a problem. Mercedes tells a fellow-
employee the problem she has had with Jesus' family.
They were very religious, and racists. When the
Revolution was a success, they wanted Jesus to obtain
jobs for all of them, and Jesus told them he hadn't
made the Revolution to get jobs for them. They had to
resolve their own problems. Her mother-in-law hadn't
wanted Jesus to marry Mercedes and did not attend the
wedding. Later Mercedes said, "it seems clear that
when she (probably the sister Digna) came it is because
the vieja (mother-in-law?) has asked for a visa.
(See HMMA 36071)
In view of UFAA 603, this conversation is probably
referring to the visit of Digna, Jesus' sister to Cuba
to see about visas for the family to get out of Cuba.
Per UFAA 603, Digna was in Mexico in November 1968 and
saw Cruz at the Embassy re visas. She begged him to
help her so that these relatives could leave Cuba, and
Cruz refused. He said he also wanted his parents with
him, but he could do nothing to help them. (Source:
sister, commented she believed Jesus probably did not
want his parents to leave Cuba as it might compromise
him or might affect his own (wife and children) family's
freedom to leave Cuba with him.)
UFAA 603: Sister believed Mercedes has great
influence on Jesus.
b.
Miscellaneous:
Mercedes' personality:
April 1968: Mercedes complained that when she arrived
home in the eveing she had to wash diapers. Complained
about the soap in Mexico, and the high cost of living.
(LISAMPAN/BAKER).
SECRET
13-00000
SECRET
-45-
June 1968: Clara (Cuban maid) said that they didn't
iron the sheets here. Clara does not iron much, but
Mercedes helps with the washing and ironing. They
send most of the things to the laundry, especially the
things that need ironing (like shirts).
Mercedes also helps Clara in the kitchen some.
Baker: August 1968: Mercedes says she worries, but
knows it won't solve anything, so doesn't let herself
suffer.
Mercedes' attitude toward Mexico:
1968: She believed that Cubans in Mexico had to be
careful of themselves and their children as there
was personal risk because they are Cubans.
She doesn't like Mexico because of the high robbery
rate, the fact that children are "stolen" and disappear.
She complains about the poverty in Mexico, especially
in the small pueblos, the fact the people go barefoot,
beg, about the poverty in general.
Mercedes thinks that when one reaches 35 years old, you.
are on the downhill.
C.
What are feelings about family when they are
separated?
°
Mercedes claims to miss Cruz when he is away She
says she is lonely.
December 1968: When Jesus was in Guadalajara, apparently
to a cultural event, he called Mercedes to see about
the family, and to leave messages for the office. He
told her he would call her every evening--collect.
SECRET
13-00000
SECRET
-46-
7. Personal and professional goals:
a.
What seems to be his general life goals?
Keep active physically and stay on in diplomatic work.
b. To what extent is he motivated by self interest?
family interest? etc:
UFAA 603: Jesus' sister said Mercedes is the type
of person who likes to live well without working.
The sister commented she took a Cuban maid with her.
(Mexico City Station Comment:
Since all the Cubans
in Mexico have maids, but Mexican ones, to whom they
pay about the same as Mercedes pays the Cuban, do not
believe this indicates Mercedes is lazy. As a matter
of fact, she pitches in more than most of the Cuban
señoras.)
Sister said Cruz is capable of extensive personal
sacrifice for a cause. She believes he is not primarily
interested in salary and position, but he is an idealist.
C.
What are his personal pursuits, sources of satis-
faction, hobbies, avocations, etc:
Hunting, swimming, fishing, skin diving, jai alai
tennis.
d. What are his pet peeves, complaints, grievances?
Unknown
e.
Yes
f.
Is he receptive to new ideas? Tolerant?
Compare him with the "typical man"
A cut above the normal man (LITAINT-2).
SEC RET