eleased under the John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act of 1997 (44 Usct 7i0T w= Hote). ° DATE: 11-14-2017 . - wes On his recent visits in Miami, JIMENEZ. on. ‘several occasions expressed strong sympathies’ ‘in ‘opposition to the present Panamanian Government and  --~ President, and the current Panamanian Government policies. . He indicated he wanted to hire several gangsters for possible “future action in Panama. Accordingly, he. was trying. to make contact with a group of local Cubans in this. | - Gonnection. - Kfu) ' oO in Jume of 1962, JIMENEZ had stated he wanted to buy a quantity of arms, and-he was involved in a plot. to shoot the President of Panama, He indicated the assassination was to take place during an uprising in Panama, and offered as proof of the alleged plot the fact that there would be an uprising in the near future’ in Panama, Im connection with this plot, JIMENEZ had éontacted. General MANUEL BENITEZ, a Cuban exile in Miami, who’ had recommended that JIMENEZ contact SERGIO * CASTRO. and Captain HUMBERTO RODRIGUEZ DIAZ to assist him ‘in this plot. Kur Dr. RAFAEL GARCIA NAVARRO explained he had . obtained the above information from General MANUEL - BENITEZ VALDES, who was a personal acquaintance’ of GARCIA . NAVARRO, He characterized General BENITEZ as an opportunist and promoter, who was not completely truthful, and had been’ involved in various plots and intrigues. . General BENITEZY ‘had reported the activities of JIMENEZ and JIMENEZ’ contact -with RODRIGUEZ, DIAZ and CASTRO to Dr. GARCIA’ NAVARRO, and gtated he‘ (BENITEZ) would follow the ‘activities of this plot through SERGIO CASTRO and furnish information on a.continuing basis to Dr, GARCIA NAVARRO. General BENITEZ. “bad explained that SERGIO CASTRO). who was ‘a contact of his, would infiltrate this plot’, and GARCIA NAVARRO would be promptly advised of all developnents. X/iy 10. Doclda: 32301739 Page 6
Released under the John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act of 1997 —_ |Hote). © DATE: 11-14-2017 ‘SEDRET ‘Dr. GARCIA NAVARRO stated in his opinion, General BENITEZ was attempting to ingratiate himself with the Panamanian Government, and apparently planned to try " €0 obtain economic aid ‘from the Panamanian officials in ; ~ return for information in the alleged plot. K/u) “MM 105-6555 General BENITEZ had subsequently advised Dr. - GARGTA NAVARRO that JIMENEZ had padd some $500.00 to: SERGIO. CASTRO in ‘connection with the alleged plot, but that. CASTRO. ‘atid RODRIGUEZ DIAZ had taken no action to further the” ‘plot; but. were ‘only standing by awaiting further developments. No further developments apparent ly materialized. Yur Dr. GARCIA NAVARRO advised he had not taken the above allegations of a plot by JIMENEZ , as reported... by, General BENITEZ, at all seriously, in view of General _BENITEZ' reputation. Subsequently, however, at the time of the uprising on the part of members of the Nat ional . Guard in Panama, which appeared.to coincide with the threats “made: by. JIMENEZ, Dr. GARCIA NAVARRO felt that there might be some basis for concern, and accordingly had furnished | information concerning the alleged plot to United States Government officials, as well as to Panamanian officials. Subsequently, an Inspector from the Panamanian National Police had been sent to Miami to investigate this matter, and had interviewed BENITEZ in connection with the alleged plot. Ku) ; ' Subsequent to that time, no further information | | has been developed concerning the. alleged plot, either through the Panamanian investigator or General BENITEZ, and in Dr. GARCIA NAVARRO’s opinion, the matter is closed. Yu) ll. SEARET ¥ : i —_ . } j Docld: 32301739 Page 7
Released under the John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act of I99? (49 USC 2i0F Hote). + BATE: 11-14-2017 SPORET MM 105-6555 plot against the President of Panama as serious. He had felt, however, that he should report this matter to his acquaintance, Dr. GARCIA NAVARRO, Panamanian Consul im Fort Lauderdale... Accordingly, he had made the above information available to Dr. GARCIA NAVARRO, who - subsequent ly reported it to his government. General ' BENITEZ indicated in his opinion, Dr. GARCIA NAVARRO may have | over-emphasized the significance of this alleged :plot ‘in order to enhance his (Dr. NAVARRO’ 8s) position with the Panamanian Government . General BENITEZ said probably the primary purpose: of JIMENEZ’ viéit to Miami during the summer had been to visit his Cuban girl friend, who subsequent ly. has . a moved to Puerto Rico. . General BENITEZ stated since this all happened, an. ‘official of. the Panamanian Government had come to Miami. to investigate this matter, and had interviewed several . of the participants in the alleged. plot, including _.SERGIO. CASTRO. It was determined at that time that a no further action had been taken in. this ; plot, and that it ae was considered &@ closed matter . General BENITEZ advised that he has recently \ ts learned froma friend of his, one JOSE LUISI@LFARO, — \~-~ a former police c official L_in Panama, that. JUAN (STMENEZ : Government, JIMENEZ is reportedly n now assigned in a diplomatic capacity for the Panamanian Government ,- and is “reportedly in Washington, D. C. Accordingly, SIMENEZ ‘is -no longer unhappy with the Panamanian Government. — a 13. j DoclId: 32301739 Page 6