124-10284-10081 JFK Assassination System Date: 4/28/201 Identification Form — TL ETN he te enti Agency Information AGENCY: FBI RECORD NUMBER: = 124-10284-10081 RECORD SERIES: HQ _AGENCY FILE NUMBER: CR 105-85440-28 , Document Information ORIGINATOR: FBI FROM: DIRECTOR, FBI TO: TITLE: DATE: — 08/11/1967 PAGES: 185 SUBJECTS : , MAB, ASSOC, CUBAN EXILES, MIL ACT, ACA DOCUMENT TYPE: PAPER, TEXTUAL DOCUMENT CLASSIFICATION: — Secret - RESTRICTIONS: 1A; 1B; 1C;4 \ CURRENT STATUS: — Redact DATE OF LASTREVIEW: 09/03/1998 OPENING CRITERIA : APPROVAL OF CIA, INDEFINITE COMMENTS: — INC S/S, ADMIN PAGE eee eee AA A teh yn rere v9.1 ; 32 HW 50953 Docld:32303569 Page 1
HY ~ 4 f r~ SLunE ill aaa LE OY i Oa a ee a a ee ak to Ls rersor ote” with the MRR and prospective defectee pilots of Cuban airlines. His operations were directed by Dr. Manuel Artime Buesa, an ex-Lieutenant of the Cuban Revolutio : rmy who now was serving as Secretary General of the MRR. as in daily telephonic contact with Salvador Aldereguia an onio Bascaro, two members of the Cuban Revolutionary Army who were in exile in the Dutch West Indies, and through Ar e was attempting to arrange for their admission into the US. 3 774313-3 p.3 (FBT | Cuban national living in NYC as of August , 1960, reportedly said that he was affiliated with the "MRR - Camilo Cienfuegos", and claimed to be in close contact with the "real MRR" in Cuba. He said that Manuel Artime was not entirely sound, but that the movement in Cuba now was well organ: beginning to show signs of progress. (CIA, 9/1/60){¢ 105-91331-1 p.2 (ALy (continued) -10~ S095 DBoctld: 32303569 Page 2? __ Ow i
| : ft . Lo . a iy oo . : SECRET - : » @ cotton broker of f Atlanta, Georgia who was closely associated with Francisco Gualberto Cajigas y Garcia Del Prado, Miami, Florida, civilian leader of the Cuban Unity of Liberation (UCL) (105-88041), furnished information to Miami Office Agents on 9/12/60. Cajigas had told Fernandez that Father Medina, Rector of Villanueva University, Havana, arrived in Miami. from Havana, on 9/5/60; for the purpose of contacting Cajigas and offering him the help and resou olic Church in Cuba in his fight against Castro. that, according to Cajigas, Father Medina advised that the Catholic Church in Cuba was opposed to Manuel Antonio Varona of the FRD. Father Medina also disclosed to Cajigas that Manuel Artime, one of the five leaders of the FRD, had visited Medina and had confided that the FRD was, divided and unhappy. LA 105-88041-6 encl.p.5 (397 of | tntornatalon-gevrweu Or! Y707oU that he Nad been told by Carlos Marquez Sterling that Antonio (Tony)* Varona was coming to Washington, DC on 9/16/60, where he planned to confer with officials of the Department of State and CIA concerning the eventual unification of the various anti-Castro groups then in existence. At that time, Varona was to discuss what assistance this group might expect from the US and he also would provide the identity of various anti-Castro groups known to him. Among persons under consideration by Sterling, ; .. Varona, and other in this unified organization was 4 Artime Buesa. Sterling had been a Cuban president- ial aspirant, during the election of 1958 and Varona was a former Cuban Senator now in exile in Miami, Florida.\, 109-584-1916 | - (22577 | advised on 10/6/00 that through an intermediary 1 not Turtner Identified) he had been in contact with Manuel Artime Buesa, military leader and member 'of the FRD, and had offered to join the FRD provided the FRD would manifest certain stipulations, (Date (continued ) ek ee “12- wd we) HY 50953 DBoctd: 32303569 Page 3
HY | advised on 8/22/63 that he had bee qeported from Cuba in Séptember, 1961. stated th was a member of the MRR, identified as utionary group which was headed by Manuel Artimes, w a of the 4/17/61 Bay of Pigs invasion (sic). | he acted in a sort of liaison capacity between thé MRR and o counterrevolutionary erouns- E(w “ 105-111153-15 (73% n at RET ADRS. SECRE eaders that er On 1/2/62, omer advised that the 30th of November Movement (105-9219 O unded originally by Manuel Artime (date not indicated) and w composed largely of Catholic students in Cuba. lt November 30th was the date on which Huber Matos, TOrméYr Military commander of Cameguey Province in Cuba, was arrested by Fidel and sentenced to prison for being a'traitor to the Cuban Revol vy 2196-28 p.3 LU SI 105-92196-17 encl.p.l (4197 The MRR, an underground movement formed in Cuba in mid-1959, was composed primarily of three larger groups: (1) the ACU, vw Manuel F. Artime Buesa; (2) a military group under Major Ricar de la Lorie Valls; and (3) an air group, without planes, of 13 experienced pilots under Major Antonio Michel Yabor. The ACU existence prior to the Castro regime as the Cuban Catholic Uni (CACU) students organization. In November. 1959, under Artime 6) was as hat Castro ution. nder do was in versity is leadership, the majority of the CACU membership joined with the Rebel Army Officer group to become the MRR. In February, 1950 coordinated’ movement of anti-Castro exiles outside Cuba was fo in Mexico and named the MRR. Artime and Lorie were joint head this newly formed group. About the middle of 1960, Artime, wh in the US, reportedly began to act without authority from the Directorate, which resulted in formation of the MRR splinter g (contin » ceney SO953 DBocld: 32303569 Page 4 >a. | rmed | s of Oo was MRR roup, 7 ued)
HY oom, AL, \ . : — nee ey (continued ) SEGRE! | u\ Cuba since:the ill-fated 4/17/61 Playa Giron invasion. % On 12/29/62, President John F. Kennedy visit & Urange Bowl Stadium, Miami, where he reviewed the returned prisoners of Brigade 2506. He was accompanied by Jose Miro Cardona and Manuel Artime, Ce the speakers' stand with President Kennedy. After Artime's ‘return to the US, he used his influence with the US Government to obtain an interview with President Kennedy in Palm Beach, Florida. He was to continue as head of the MRR. Artime | made a good appearance, spoke English, and had charmed US Government officials who were in charge of government policy between the US and Cuba. He was extremely ambitious and would like to_be the head bly the future President of Cuba. 1/463). Ly As a result of nationwide press, radio, and television coverage of President Kennedy's 12/29/62 activities at the Orange Bowl, which coverage prominently mentioned Artime's name, Artime now was better known and his position in the anti-Fidel Castro movement was greatly increased. Generally among Cuban exiles Artime f waS considered young, immature, and highly ambitious._and many felt that he would be the victim of his own publicity. ) 97 -4333-57 p.1,3-5 | (29 The 1/6/63 issue of the "Miami Herald" carried an article entitled "Rift Develops in Invasion Brigade; 100 Boycotted JFK Here." o ‘This related to boycott by Cuban Brigade 2506 (105-117331) prisoners of President Kennedy's 12/29/62 appearance at the Orange Bowl to welcome the returned prisoners. The article stated that Enrique Llaca, Jr., recently released from Castro's prisons, singled out Manuel» Artime and Dr. Jose Miro Cardona, head of the CRC, for criticism, declaring they were using the Brigade for their personal benefits. Both Artime and Miro Cardona denied this. The Brigade, under the leadership of Artime and a joint chiefs of staff, had set up headquarters in Miami. La (continued) S095 Doctld: 32303569 Page 5
Wie (continued) SECRET The 1/6/63 issue of the "Miami News", in an article entitled "Brigade 2506 Meets Monday to Map Plans", set out the names of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Brigade and quoted Artime as stating: "We have fought only one battle and we are certain the final battle is very_near,." | YU On 1/9/63 vised that 24 hours after being received by Preside at the Orange Bowl, the group headed by Enrique Llaca Orbiz appeared on Channel 10 Television, Miami. During their appearance they stated that they were opposed to the CRC and to Manuel Artime, chief of the Brigade. TF 105-117331-1 encl.p.2,3,6,9 (5a) HY D503 nad /Gek AL, Fob | ({30/9e. Aer, / Tanck 3 S095 Doctld: 32303569 Page 6
fs . (continued) SECRE, , ! REFERENCE iS Sparc SLIP PAGE NUMBER 105-99200-A Washington Capital News Service, (46a 12/2 2 -A Washington Capital News Service, (16 12/26/62 a . -A "The Miami Herald”, . | (46 12/26/62 . ("All-Out Effort Would Topple Castro -- Artime"; also, "Not a Turncoat Among Them, ny (Photograph of Artime appeared in both articles) 105- 107224-A Washington Capital News Service, (48% 12/25/62 j ores that a meeting of anti- Castro exiles scheduled Tor M., 1/27/63, at St. Patrick's Academy, 924 G Street, N.W., Washington, DC, was to be addressed by Commandante Manuel Artime, Cuban exile mi military figure who participated in the ill-fated Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba in April, 1961.. Artime, temporarily, was in Washington with associates, including Commandante Jose Perez San Roman, who likewise figured in | the Bay of Pigs inva- ‘sion. WU 109-584-3405 (60.7 Washington Capital News Service releases. datelinea Miami, 2/6/63, reported that the Cuban Brigade, which participated in the abortive Bay of Pigs invasion, was preparing militarily to try again to liberate Cuba, according to a statement made that day in Miami, by Manuel Artime, Brigade leader: Artime told UPI he was speaking as an individual and not as Secretary General of the MRR, or the Brigade. He called on Cubans to “unify for action" and on all free (continued) ~29- . HY 50953 DBoctd: 32303569 Page 7
wy publicize the movement on 4/11/63. He appeared to have the backing of Manuel Artime, who had been seen with Rivero quite frequently during the past week (place not indicated), and possibly that of | (continued) . Jose Miro Cardona, president of the CRC. .Artime dealt with Miro through Carlos Pelaez Cossio, a former senator under Gomez and Batista (sic) and a personal confidant of both Miro and Artime This reference indicated that foregoi nformation was acquired on 4/10/63 in the US (place not given CHU 105-117331-7 p.2 | (5147 ) | 703 #2 326 Miami Office report dated 4/30/63, set out information indicating that during January, 1963, some MRR (97-4133) functionaries participated in unity discussions with other Cuban revolutionary organizations. The MRR problem was complicated. by the’ recent return to the US from imprisonment in Cuba, of Manuel Artime Buesa, MRR leader who had participated in the April, 1961. invasion attempt. In late January, 1963, Jose Miro Cardona, head of the CRC, tried to overthrow the MRR leadership of Artime. On 2/22/63, at a meeting held by the Enrique Oviedo Leon faction of the MRR (place not indi- cated), Artime was expelled and Oviedo was named. MRR Secretary General. A document (quoted) entitled "Remova}—nda_—Eymn. tin ) Dr. Manuel Artime Buesa"” was made available by a cl Manuel Villamanan (protect identity), Cuban exire—im Miami , that Artime still was undisputed “head of the MRR; that about 75% of Brigade 2506 was sympathetic with the MRR; that Erneido Oliva of' Brigade 2506 was very close to Artime and in agreement with Artime on both | the military and political aspects of the fight against communism in Cuba; and that the MRR was not making clandestine trips to Cuba at . that time. (Details set out). 3 97 -4133-60 p.1-3,5~-8 CA The following references relate to an alleged aeria night of 4/25/63, in which action > was invoived. continued “ ~32- qv oo C£9 rye a) on ery ee - a - ; eee ntl! HY S095 DBoctld: 32303569 Page 6
cerning "Operacion Centroamericana"™*, This project continued to be (continued) against Artime and considered him a demagogue. LA \ 109-584-3622 p.1-6 (1¥Sbe SI 105-97873-18 encl. p.5 (Felipe Vidal Santiago, way 12/17/63). It was reported on 1/22/64 that no further conversations between former Nicaraguan President Luis Somoza and former Cuban President Carlos Prio Socarras were known to have taken place con- at a standstill and activities of Manuel Artime, MRR leader, apparently were not connected with it, although no open break with Prio had been made. Artime was slowly strengthening and training a group of exiles in Nicaragua. The MRP (105-92704) claimed that. Arti W receiving aid from the Nicaraguan Government and from the US. [ @& U The Alliance of MRP - Alpha 66 - SFNE would con¥ider joining forces with Artime when his organization had dev lep sufficient strength to make an attack on C HY & pearl ) elsewhere in this summary. ke a hk a i a Cuban exile, advised: on 1/24/64 that supporters of Manuel Antonio - 2 Varona, head of the CRC (105-107224), and of Jose Miro Cardona, would oppose Manuel Artime, head of the MRR, should Artime return to Cuba as head of an anti-Castro force. [___Jexplained that Varona and Miro accused Artime if of having betrayed them while he was in the training camp in Guatemal (continued) SO953 DBoctld: 32303569 Page 9
Miami report dated 3/19/64, set out activities of Manuel Artime Buesa as head of the MRR. This included Artime's travels between the US and Nicaragua and Costa Rica; his recruiting activities in behalf of his anti-Castro training program and including ea number of Cuban exiles recruited out of the US Army for service with hi a group; the alleged grand style of living of Artime and his foll Neri oy and his operation of training. camps in Nicaragua where he report oe a had more than five million dollars worth of military equipment. It was alleged that Artime was being officially sponsored and subsidized and that he made a. living out of the revolution. In early 1964, when the Pro-Referendum Committee was polling the Cuban exiles for a Cuban referendum election to be held in May, Artime was reported to be against this referendum. Reference also set out information reported on 2/12/64 that Adelaida Padron Cruz, 881 N.E. 71st Street, Miami, continued to be Artime's mistress and that this residence was used by him for secret meetings. 109-584-3884 p.1,7-10,13,18 (1% 6a" | | a Cuban exile, 1440 | on 473/764 that he was one of the | ransomed prisoners of the April, 1961 Cuban invasion and had returned to the US on 12/24/62. He stated that the support of the US to the Cuban invasion and its support to the movement of Cuban exile leader Manuel Artime in Central America, were two events which precluded prosecution of Cuban exiles for violation of neutrality. said it was general information among Cuban exiles in Miami tha Artime and members of his organization, the MRR, were receiving US assistance in. some manner in connection with the establishment of training camps in Central America. UU 105-124552-3 encl.p.9 (5e" f CIA (62-80750) furnished information on a strid¢tly ential basis, requesting that this information not be disseminated outside the Bureau. This pertained to the involvement in anti-Castro Bureau memo dated 4/9/64,advised that on 4/8/64, | omrraeneh at\ (continued m7 EGS e continue ) 9803 ABa cA #21, 538 343 -58- = a HY 50953 DBocld: 32303569 Page 10
SECRET As of 3/10/64,the MRR (97-4133) in the San Francisco, Calif. area, was conducting a recruitment program for a group to start military training within the next .2 months at an unknown location under “y leadership of Manuel Artime. ' MRR official and PSI under dev (EX) As of 4/20/64, the Northern California MRR membership _ had conducted a similar program. No further move was to be made until word was received from Artime, following which recruits probably would proceed to Miami for further instructions. It was the gene pporting Artime. 97-4133-103 encl.p.1,2 (319" | The Newark Office 4/16/64, reported tha advised on 4/1/64 that a couple of days previously, several members of Cuban Brigade 2506 who had Visited Washington, DC and Miami, Florida, returned to the New York area. While in Miami they tried to see Manuel Artime but he was in Central America. Instead, they saw Antonio Iglesia Pons, who was in charge of military affairs for Artime. Artime did not have control of military activities but served as a figurehead and the go-between | with the US Government. Ly On 4/15/64, stated that several members of the Brigade again would go to Miami on 720/64, and from there to Central America to the training camps set up by Artime. Artime was reported to have two bases in Central America, one in| and the other in CA. ; 109-584-3912 (Gaye In connection with ‘foregoing, Bureau memo dated 4/24/64, set out CIA's appraisal of this and other information furnished by the Newark Office &d disseminated to CIA. According to CIA on Sool . | (continued) fA vat «aos MTG Ne of CRE! a. Hla ca | HY 50953 DBocld: 32303569 Page ii
SEE il (continued) Antonio Iglesia Pons was in charge of the| base as a2 camp_c i) but was not in charge of military affairs for Artime emo also set out information relationship with arcing AN 109-584-3911 (6ay7 TP 52-S advised that Rodrigo Calderon of Miami, Florida, a former. high ranking officer in Cuba under former dictator Fulgencio Batista, came to Tampa on 4/25/64 and met secretly with other Batista followers. This group met for the purpose of formulating plans of their. own in the event Fidel Castro was overthrown in the near future by anti-Castro forces that were not followers of Batista. It was felt that this group feared Manuel Artime and desired to formulate plans to be able to re-enter Cuba because it was common knowledge that some Batista supporters would be regarded as undesirables in Cuba when Castro was thrown out. It was believed that this meeting was held at the home of a woman doctor by the name otf Dr. Miranda. Others present were Dr. Jose Mijares and a Dr. Santos. who worked for Hillsborough County in Tampa. U) -584-3914 62477 Tn 1960 | | Fae over-all objective of which was the establish- Ula urganizavion among Cuban exiles capable of replacing the -Castro government. In May; 1960, | ithe names of Cubans making up the nucleus of the organization which would move against Castro and which would publicly announce its existence under the name of Frente Revolucionario Democratico (FRD - Revolutionary Democratic Front) (1005-87912). On 6/22/60, a manifesto was published of this organization who signed the manifesto and were in Mexico Cit in Mexico City, Mexico, announcing the formation of the FRD. 20. cif ‘ | | (continued) Ye | ( 4503 Ad yeh faioe So HY 50953 DBocld: 32303569 Page i2
fA EO eee Shp SC We a . Press reports indicated that on 5/13/64, the MRR issued a communique advising of the capture of the Port of Pilon in Cuba and demolition of a sugar mill. Manuel Artime participated. The communi- que was signed by Manuel Artime Buesa, Secretary General, and Rafael Quintero, Military Coordinator of the MRR. The raid on the sugar refinery at Central Pilon, Oriente Province, was reported also by CSNY 2822-S and verified by Frank McCarthy, UPI, and Julio Lubo, former owner of Central Pilon. The following references on Artime relate to this activity: La REFERENCE . SEARCH SLIP PAGE NUMBER 97 - 4133- 99 (Setting out press release as . (197 667" furnished by Dr. Cesar Baro Esteva, Vice-Secretary General, MRR _ 102% HN eS ster ~A i 5/14/64 ("Cuban cts Say They Seized Port" -A Washington Capital News Service (3377 5/13/64 | 105-114543-126 ; | (5077 *Add. info. SO953 Baocld: 32303569 Page 13
oom C. ( ‘ vLoECKET dvised that Manuel Artime Buesa On continued as héa which maintained headquarters at 2212 N.E, end Court, Miami. y |. AN) (30) re | (3 PHe and about 10 others Lod Tad -Ieave EIOr CENUraLl america to join Artime. Ly cuy . On 5/12/64, | | advised that Artime would leave Miami on 5/712 or I376 Sta Rica, his Central American headquarters, and then go to where he reportedly had military training CAMP Sy. Artime was éxpected to return to the US in about a week ee pie es een gen cag a ve Add. info. LA -584-3976 p.8,9 . i ict al 3 sl as par. 2 105-117222-182 encl.p.3,4 (add. info.) (124503 a former member of Brigade 2506 which participated in the April, 1961 invasion of Cuba, advised on 4/2/64, that he had made a trip to Washington, DC and Miami, Florida in mid- March, 1964, and had talked to representatives of Brigade 2506. Oms stated that leaders of Brigade 2506 in the Miami area were not con- templating doing anything at the present time in a military way to overthrow Fidel Castro: Most of them were not in sympathy with Manuel Artime Buesa who formerly was the civilian head of Brigade 2506. Oms stated that some former members of Brigade 2506 had gone with Artime and Artime was reported to have military camps in Artime currently was the head of the MRR and was reported to be preparing for raids and guerrilla activity in Cuba in the immediate future. \ On 5/13/64, CSNY 2822-S advised that his niece (not further identified) recently had a letter from Joaquin Godoy of the MRP. Godoy (¢ontinued) a HY 50953 Bocld: 32303569 Page 14
(continued 109-584-3949) REFERENCE : _ SEARCH SLIP PAGE NUMBER article entitled "Cuban Forays Indicate’ 2 Units:Plan Strikes" ’ marry from the 5/16/64 issue of the - eg "Washington Evening Star") DEUS 109-584-A Press Release for 5/22/64. (657. column of Fulton Lewis, Jr. for King Features Syndicate, Inc. "The Washington Post and Times Herald", 5/30/64, p.B-7, in an article entitled "Cuba's Oi1 Refineries 'Off Limits!" in Jack Anderson's "Washington Merry-Go-Round" column, reported that these orders regarding the refineries were issued to Cuban Commandos by CIA. An aide to Cuban exile leader Manuel Artime had explained to this column: "We don't want to damage foreign property." A year before, Artime had complained to this column that CIA had cut the : allowance for his freedom fighters down to a token $1000 a month. He hadn't complained recently.\ 97-4133-A, "The Washington Post ane Bole Herald" 5/30 (3377 advised on 5/14/64 that the MRR was not a CLA-vperacrom |nw—one direction of "Special Group" had been furnishing support~ the MRR and its leader, Manuel ime, and had been maintaining liaison with him on a.r ar basis. dis- claimed control over the MRR and Artime. (% ) On 617 /6h | 6) Ci ngel Alfre & -71- HY 50953 DBocld: 32303569 Page 145
Tv | | SECRE? (continued): OLUE | | Information from Mesa, developed through| WV) [indicated that as (+ Or Decémber. T9635, the was reported to be sending a 5-man team into Cuba once a month for the purpose of assassination, with Fidel and Raul Castro and Che Guevara as the principal targets. Communi- cations. between Cuba and the US-allegedly were through clandestine Short wave radio. Mesa returned to Minneapolis on 1/5/64, from a visit to Miami he failed to see Artime who was in Puerto. Ri Mesa a a Artime | v would spend more time int Venezuela in . ccording to the MRR in the Twin Citig 2 area was.disbanded in July, 1964 ders of Manuel Artime: REFERENCE _ SEARCH SLIP PAGE NUMBR i 97 -4133-77 leery “80 . | | 367 247 -83 tae -84 encl.p.2 7 -92 encl.p.1,2 3 -134 324" Cuban exiles were saying that the US was providing a steady flow of aid to the. MRR which was led by Manuel Artime Buesa. Some exiles claimed that the MRR attack on Puerto Rilon in May. 1964, was launched from the. Dominican Republic. There was no evidence that Artime was receiving support from the Venezuélan Government. His failure to establish personal contact with the Venezuelan Administra- tion during his 5/22-27/64 visit to Caracas, had provoked criticism in government circles. Some disillusionment with the MRR was said < to be caused by Artime's failure to establish himself as th dis - puted leader of the militant exile forces. (CIA, 7/16/64) f (a) ara cae ae a a 109-584-1034 (17% 639-7 a Dur j j (4) intimated . (continued) Tete | Eis! : i _ SERRE HW 50953 Docld:32303569 Page 16
(continued) placing himself in absolute control without heeding the ideological postulates of the movement; and his failure.to live up to the stand- ards he had set up for the organization, U The "Miami News", Miami, Florida, 7/5/64, reported that. on the previous day, Artime ordered all his men to report to South.. American training camps immediately. \, On 7/9/6h, | | INS Investigator, Miami, advised that dquarters and moved to Central America, but had established a secret underground office somewhere in Miami. On 8/4/64,[_|stated that numerous MRR members went to Central America to join Artime during July, 1964 and that the MRR claimed it would move all of its records and equipment out of Miami by chartered airplane to Artime's headquarters in Central America. The MRR had a large ship that operated between Central America and New Orieans, Louisiana. The ship, name unknown, was operated by a| using letterhead stationery containing the following: "Maritima Bom, S.A., Coconut Grove Bank Building, Suite 309, Miami, Florida, Phone # 444-5781-82." This company also claimed to have Post Office boxes in Panama. an Sixto Mesa was listed as President (ay SERB. (Jo nnn ETET srr racer beter Pac On 7/28/64, > under development, advised that the rank and file MRR members continued to severely criticize Artime for maintaining his mistress, Adelaida Padron Cruz. She reportedly had great influence over Artime and some of his decisions concerning the MRR's operations had been influenced by her and objected to by the general membership On 8/18/64, Miguel Dotres, 8418 N.w. 2 Avenue, Miami, advised that in late March or early April, 1964, Aldo Vera Serafin, head of an anti-Castro organization (not further identified), con- ferred with Artime and brought his organization into Artime's organ-- ization. Dotres furnished information indicating that Artime was against Baro's proposal that the MRR be headed by a 7-man board; also, that the Cuban exile community doubted that Artime was a factor which. eventually would figure in the overthrow of the present Cuban Govern- ment. a 97-4133-115 encl.p.1-8 ( 5 3 ee" ‘ 4 ol. cetr oe  & yd be (continued) ~76- HY SO953 Baocld: 32303569 Page 17
(3 c \ SECRET cL. In early October, 1964, the Alliance of the MRP - SFNE (105-112098) - Alpha 66 Cuban exile group was planning to initiate armed action in Cuba and its paramilitary organization had been moved : from the US (place not indicated) to prepare for infiltration of Cuba. . Eloy Gutierrez Menoyo, military leader of the Alliance, had issued strict instructions that there should be no collaboration at any level with the MRR or the JURE during the process of infiltration. Gutierrez had no faith in the ability or willingness of Manuel Artime or Manuel Ray to adhere to a joint infiltration program. Once in Cuba, however, limited tactical collaboration would be encouraged. CX) u) A delegation of the MRR, headed by Artime, was expected to arrive in Caracas in early October to seek Support from the Venezuelan Government (gw re lu 105-11 2098-540 Coy" Geez add dh 0]42. ~ On 10/24/64, Firmin Joseph, representative of a group of Haitian exiles dedicated to the overthrow of Dictator Francois — Duvalier, said that the schedule for an invasion of Haiti would be “forthcoming after the US elections. Joseph said that a house in northwest Miami, which currently was being used to billet some of his men, was visited recently by a Cuban whom Jose believed was from Manuel Artime Buesa's group, the MRR. (CIA) 7) 2-1622~273 p.2 3 ' if. L- Jauvised OI Ie2/71l/oF tnav the political activities © tnis group Would be to offset the "right wing conservatism" of Manuel Artime Buesa. As of mid-December, 1964, Artime continued to head the MRR. Some exiles felt that recent scandals (not further identified) (continued) ~79- ar HY SO953 Baocld: 32303569 Page 13
HY <contanuea) SECRET in Costa Rica involving Artime had discredited the anti-Castro move- ment, which might result in the withdrawal of support of Cuban exiles by the American people and the US Government. Add. info. os 109-584-4114 p.3,4,8 (is 633" Robert Dennis Arrington (105-96912) of Los Angeles, a US citizen. who had entered Nicardgua on 12/8/64, was arrested by Nicaraguan officials on 12/17/64 for alleged possession of illegal arms and plotting the overthrow of the Nicaraguan Government. He had come to the attention of Nicaraguan authorities when he tried to make contact in Managua with anti-Castro Cubans in an attempt to interest them in buying the arms he was carrying: In Managua, . at the Gran Hotel (date not indicated) Arrington met an unnamed Cuban who promised to take him to see Manuel Artime who was expected. momentarily; however, this Cuban never came back to see Arrington. Foregoing information on Artime is covered in the following references: REFERENCE . SEARCH SLIP PAGE NUMBER 97-HO48-7 p.12 : | (3496 105-81431-12 p.12 | (399—" 105-96912-9 p.9 (4a . / (Uv) On L vised that the MRR (97-4133) con- tinued to be adead by Manue rtime Buesa, a Cuban exile doctor who traveled continuously in the US, Central America and the Caribbean. ly On 12/10/64, MM 639-S advised that different Cuban exile leaders continued to claim that Artime and- the MRR were making a livi » (continued) -80- SO953 Baocld: 32303569 Page 19
. w 4 ” os (continued) Seba i off the Cuban revolutionary activities; were engaged in smuggling instead of anticommunist warfare; and were misappropriating funds designed for commando and infiltration activity against the present government of Cuba. MM 639-S continued that it was claimed that Artime's men returned from Central America very disenchanteg, .or with large sums of money earned through illegal activity. “) According to reports from the Costa Rican newspaper "Ld Nacion", there was a training camp in Costa Rica, and in November 1964, Customs Authorities found Cubans smuggling large shipments of whiskey from Panama into Costa Rica and Nicaragua. Santiago Alvarez Rodriguez (protect identity), Miami, a Cuban exile and leading figure in the MRR, advised on 12/17/64, that after the November scandals concerning the alleged smuggling activities of the MRR, Artime reportedly visited with Costa Rican President Francisco J. Orlich (place not indicated). The MRR claimed that Orlich signed a declaration exonerating the MRR from all allegations concerning that organization's activities and smuggling. ey , | os 97 -4133-123 encl.p.1,2,4 Bd According to reported comments of as of mid-January 1965 | Mad not been in ! CONTACT WI anuél Artime Buesa. (CIA). OR 4) ! a WF ad | 62-7O441-270 p.2 At the request of the Department of State the Bureau con- “ducted an investigation of an attack on the Spanish vessel "Sierra Aranzazu" (2-1877) on 9/13/64, off the eastern tip of Cuba. It was | alleged that this attack was carried out by representatives of a group receiving US backing, known as the MRR and headed by Manuel Artime. The Secret Organization of Continental Action (OSAC) initially claimed responsibility for the attack. Newspaper accounts indicated . that Artime denied responsibility for the raid and in a statement from ‘Panama suggested the Castro government was responsible in an attempt ‘to discredit the MRR. On 10/5/64, Rolando Masferrer Rojas, 42-46 IP 3 on ths pa. AAD IS? Baageleey | bN PG. $2 ‘Is (Yainessrisibone oP ©, abp DepTl¢ lett DD FF 20-9} HY 50953 DBocld: 32303569 Page 20
On 2/23/85, the New York Office advised that on eee £C REY 1/26/65, NY 4533-S furnished information that the Soviet Ingedtipence: Service in the US wanted to obtain any information available on the organizations: (1) Alfa 66; (2) Movimento Revolucionario Popular; (3) Movimento Renosadoz Revolucionario; and (4) Representacion Cubana En El Exilio. New York advised that the Movimiento Renosadoz Revolucionario might be identical with.the Movimiento Recuperacion Revolucionario (MRR) headed by Manuel Artime Buesa. TP 105-]37715-2 encé p. (LaBS ye | ladvisea that on 3/6/65, Pedro Jose Leal Flores 105-141019) and some of his friends went to Miami to try to see the military commander of RECE*, whose name was believed to be Oliva, and also to try to see Manuel. Artime leader of the MRR. The reason for this trip was not known, but said he believed that Leal wanted to associate the Porfirio Ramirez Brigado Comando #1 with one of the larger anti-Castro orsantssviond QVM This reference stated that Leal was leader of the anti- Castro organization known as the Porfirio Ramirez .Brigado Comando #1, a group of young Cubans who had received Army training at Fort Jackson South Carolina and who met weekly in Tampa at 1515-10th Avenue. ) vn 7 * | *Representation of Cubans in Exile. “My Ett) , that Cuban exiles were dis- couraged “Sird frustrated with the failures of exile leaders like Manuel Artime Buesa, who had been ineffective. and would have to _ discontinue military operations in the near future. LA As of mid-March. 1965, Manuel Artime Buesa continued as head of the MRR and traveled extensively in the US, Latin America, and Europe. He was criticized severely by other anti-Castro leaders, irk | (continued) 8h HY 50953 DBocld:32303569 Page 21
Ne C\ os © SECRET ~ On 5/20/65, Nilo Messer, 27 N.W. 47th Street, Miami, advised that he had been Manuel Artime Buesa's secretary and as such traveled thousands of miles with Artime in the US, South... America and Europe. He said that he was planning to leave this secretarial position and had obtained another job. \ > On 7/23/65; a Cuban exile who traveled frequently in Central America, advised that Artime continued_as head of the MRR (97-4133). About two weeks previously both nd Artime were in Nicaragua. However, the MRR then had no offices or operations in that country. [fear from Cuban exiles in Nicaragua that the MRR reportedly ha wo unidentified airplanes available to them in Panama. However, there was no indication that the MRR planned any raids against Cuba either by using these planes or an operation by sea. ‘A General Luis Somoza in Nicaragua to d| that. Artime's operations there had been eliminated almost cpmpletely because of _ the US Government's attitude toward the MRR. \4 (A advised that organization no longer had ap oaperational interest in the MRR or its leader, Manuel Artime Buesa. u) ul 97 -4133-143 p.l;encl.p.1,2 ) eae | SI as par.l 97 -4133-139 (329 SI as par. an I ha72 9-1, 6 109-9p4-4e72 -p.1,0,7 On 7/22/65 | | land that Manul Artime Buesa was ‘Banlzing trie | us) Add. info. Ly 97 -4133-141 | tr oe | anos Cru -88 - HY SO953 Baocld: 32303569 Page 22
traveled to Washington, DC for le p ) of visiting Fer -at her residence (address not given). ° WF \s stated that Cepero A 7 ° oA C wy VeECREN On 7/29/65, W advised that Concepcion Maria Fernandez Planas* (105-9 ad been married for a couple of months to a Cuban exile named Alfredo Cepero, a lawyer -who was. believed to be employed in Virginia. During the first days of the Castro regime, she had dated Jose Machado Ventura, who served as Castro's Minister of Public Health in Cuba. At one time (date not indicated) Fernandez also dated Manuel Artime of the Brigade 2506 which had in Cuba during April of 1961. WE 3} was aware that Artime had was extremely jealous and he was almost cértain that Fernandez had not revealed her past association with Machado and Artime to cevero( Gi) 105-98201-13 encl.p.2 (4oqe" *Cuban National empjoyed at» the Pan American Union, Washington, DC. (see 105-98201-8), JAB Documents furnished by OACSI-Army included a G-2 USARSOUTHCOM report advising that ARMY Ii€o (LAST >) Once ASIFED | Oo | ; Pea. ore. Dad. nful a / 4 a aa > Of Hoth the p iday and Saturday, by Cuban revolutionary Manuel Artimes. | that Artimes was a friend of General Somoza, Chief Director 6 he Nicaraguan National Guard, and of source's sister-in-law, Mrs. Yolanda de Corrales; also, that Artimes knew source's brother-in-law, Lt. Gumberto Corrales, Assistant to General Somoza. Artimes, who had been unable to contact President Robies, asked source to confidentially inform the President that a conspiracy was being planned for the purpose of assassinating the Presidents of Nicaragua, Costa Rica and the RP. Files of the 47Oth INTC Group, Fort Amador, Canal Zone, revealed background data on Manuel F. Artimes Buesa, born 1/29/32, Camaguey Province, Cuba. His father was shown as Manuel Artimes F. and his mother as Otilla B. de Artimes. It was suspected that Artimes' wanted to meet President Robles to obtain. from him a letter of introduction, for unknown reasons, to Jack Vaughan, former US Ambassador to RP and present US Assistant Secretary of State. (continued) Ste bqo-iodd 4-286 oc Gieo- 3 HY S0953 Docld:32303569 Page 23 *
(continued) operating from Paul's Barber Shop, Palms Plaza, 16772 South Dixie Highway, Perrine, Florida. This involved barbers Lestegas and Pablo Emilio Moncada Luna, sub- © one ject of Bureau file # 105-136705, who were alleged to SECR rr have mentioned tentative plans to assassinate Artime, AN Eloy so7Ode1) Menoyo and.Pedro Diaz Lanz. (See 105~-130704-1). , LA | ; ( janvised on 9723/65 that g I_Upiniun Ul Unie Cupar! GXIIGS Strongly indicated that both Manuel Ray of JURE and Manuel Artime, MRR leader, no longer were regarded as important figures in the anti-Castro movement.( , . if 105-114543-261 p.10 (5e9" | } : ~ | was interviewed. on 11/12/65, at Opa-locka Processing Center, Opa-locka, Florida. indicated that she came to Miami from New York in about mid- 1962. It was in Miami that she met her second husband, Ernesto Martinez Dominguez, where they both were active in the anti-Castro group of Manuel Artime Buesa: who was a personal friend of hers. At the meetings of this group, she gave first aid classes for a period of two weeks in 1963. In October, 1965, Montano and her husband made a trip to Cuba in an effort to bring relatives out of Cuba. ‘While there, she was approached by the Cuban Government to engage in intelligence activities in the US on behalf of Cubans. Included with a information she was expected to report was any information concerning Artime and his activities. In Cuba, she was introduced to a man named "Orlando" whom she recognized as a man who was in Miami during 1962 and 1963, working with Artime's roup. She and her husband departed Cuba for Miami on 11/8/65. Jsaid her husband had told her the Cuban Government might have had reason to believe_he was a CIA agent, because at one time he had worked for Artim on ase a) ’ 4 ee HY 50953 DBocld: 32303569 Page 24
ep aa Ao SOR my Beoras rey 2) . | d 5/66 ad 3/18/66, PN rane rtime, Director of the Cuban & Xile, Miami, Florida. This letter advised F Artime to get in contact with the to deport from Los Angeles, ur Calif. 3 Sisters, Nora, Oneyda and Marina Amaya Cabrera, and to . order the American Consul in San Pedro Sula to cancel the visa of - q é, another sister, Lila Amaya Cabrera V de Lo ez, who planned to trans- fer her residency to Los Angeles. Said these sisters were first cousin international communist, who was located in Havana, Cuba. &S ) u (Copy of letter and of trans Bd (i from Spanish attached) 105-129943-3 (LHF Shey ) (45 | . he learned from the wife: of Carlo eperino that ne had been put in Charge. by Manuel Artime,of the contact and interview with Rolando Cubelas* in Paris. This woman stated that she saw Felipe Llaudy in company with Pepin Naranjo reputed to be a great Fig lista) together with Cubelas in Paris (sic). No further details). (Sd This reference identified Felipe Llaudy as.an official of by the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Relations and a known intelligence agent 1Ogp2-210-5i21 encl.p.2 Re ( *In early March. 1966, Rolando Cubela Secades was on trial in Cuba, charged with plotting to assassinate Fidel Castro. (See 109-12-210-5407). >. UW On 6/22/66, Felipe Rivero Diaz, head of the Cuban Nationalist Association, charged that if the US Government had its way, it would. install propagandists Conte Aguero and Dr. Manuel Artime as the next rulers of Cuba. (Source not clear). 109. 34-409 p.ll : , — aan a HY 50953 DBocld:32303569 Page 25
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a abeny a ~ /04- Sou: A Miami New Tiles . “A Pan Hani | Ha - 7 “A %, tea aa- Paces fu _ ORDA TE OETVEN 7 Sasi a7) (Date. on CARD: , SL. : ves | ‘DE 13-7 Do 3H - - fe a : — — ] 1G | : . . | HY 50953 DBocld:32303569 Page 27