a iW 45937 DocId:32307127 Page 33 SECRET, (continued) It was noted in this telegram that "Diego", as a leader in the Havana underground during the Batista period, might have been Close to Ray and might actually be working for him at present. Further, OA reports to the Embassy on "Diego" could be a move to ostracize him. u Dirlass$ pew haw} 7 DID. /b -Ra- 7 ; 6d | ltsiZ -2- FH n 10/17/60, WF 1161s adviced that fanve Fred ’ orner CY 4) in Cuban Minister of Public Works, was a member of the underground Cuba. On 12/20/60, this informant advised that Ray was head of the underground in Cuba.| State Department files failed to indicate whether Manolo Ray Was identical to Manuel Ray. ee 105-92195-6 p. B,1,3 (6) p gis SI par 3 105-92195-5 p. 11 (23y7 On 10/17/6ofiir (116i}SJranea several individuals who had (, (4) either joined or exhibitett interest in joining the anti-Castro \ organization called the Resistencia Civica (97-4481). Among these was Raul Chibas, former head of the Cuban Railroads who was believed by the informant to be currently residing in NYC. This informant advised that Chibas was in contact with the Rebel underground in Cuba, particularly with Manuel Ray. Informant continued that through the association of Chibas and Ray, the Resistencia Civica in the US was apprised of the current political and economic situation in Cuba and of the continuing unrest of the Cuban peoplee xy 97-4481-1 p. 2 OY On 10/18/60, CSNY 2822-S advised that troops being trained by the FRD (105-87912} had neari completed their training and would be ready to invade Cuba by 11/1/60. No action would be taken until after US elections on 11/8/60 to avoid the matter becoming an election issue; however, it would be launched before the new President took office.in order that there would be no criticism against the new Pesessent LM) L (continued on next page) _g SCORED - a
. SECREL (continued) The above source and the contingent that he accompanied to the US planned to side with the MRP faction since they appeared to have received some sort of US aid and sanction in théir joint efforts. It was their plan to contact Ray personally.upon their release from the detention facility at McAllen in an effort to consolidate all such opposition groups in a united front to combat Castro. u) | | pos per’ 105-94715-7 p. 8,14 rC (8) urs Je7- DID: (baa 47 se Eas 4 On 3/20/61, PSI Ana Rosa Guerra Santana, a Cuban national (jr) residing in Miami and having close contacts with anti-Castro organi zations, (protect identity) advised that Hector Garcia Soto had indicated around February, 1961, that he was secretly anti-Castro and was working for Manolo Ray in the MRP. Garcia stated that he still believed in the governmental reforms Castro put into effect and believed in Castro's system of government but did not agree with communism and the influence it had in the Cuban Government. //) vy) 105~80787-376 p. 8,10 (22) On 2/2/61, Spencer Meredith, Apt. 17, Vanta Courts, S. W. 12th Ave. and 20th St., Miami, advised that Rufo Lopez Fresquét, who was the husband of Anita Whitney (1105-97525) and who recently defected from the Castro regime, was closely associated with Manolo Rey and Raul Chibas of the MRP. *« }) 105-97525-1 (45) On 2/6/61, Rufo Lopez Fresquet (64-44765), 2118 12th Ave. West, Bradenton, Fla., former President-of the Cuban National Bank, advised that the MRP did not have an organization in the US but that there were several members of the organization in the US and Puerto Rico in exile. Among those he named was Manuel Ray (or Rey), Miami, 64-44765<17 (274557 — e i \ , aw 45937 DocId:32307127 Page 34 -12-
e By letter dated 3/16/61 at Miami, Howard Davis, 450 S. W. 4th St., Miami, MM 639-S, (134-6356) advised President John F. Kennedy of the current Cuban situation. Concerning Manuel Ray, he stated that during meetings the previous week in_NY and Washington, Ray actively DE participated in the future destiny of Cuba. He also stated tmt Ray was an avowed enemy of the US and that he had heard Ray discussing his program with other Cubans. Ray advocated that properties confiscated © from American citizens and corporations were not to be returned to their rightful owners; that no independence be given to the judicial power; that special Revolutionary Tribunals be kept functioning; and that Cuba honor Castro's commercial, cultural and political treaties with Russia; Red: China and {I satellites in order to block American influence in the’ Republic. uy SECRET Informant called attention to the fact that while the youth of Cuba fought.against the brutal tyranny of international communism, Cuban "leaders" such as Ray and others in the US were egoistically campaigning for the Presidency, the several Ministries (2) and bureaucratic positions, publicly claiming that they had the \ support of American officials and, by inference, of the US Government y pove letter set outst’) (| 134-6356-42 TX (19)Y% Roberto Vale Ares, 530 Southeast First St., Hialeah, Fla., advised that he arrived in the US from Cuba on 3/18/61. He indicated that during the period of his employment by the Banco Finaciero, Havana, Cuba, from 1959 to March, 1961, he began working in the underground against Castro with the MRP and became acquainted with the organization's leaders, Antonio Veciana and Manuel Rey. He related that upon his arrival in the US, he dropped out of the MRP but later became a member of Comandos L (105-117222) in Miami. .,, 105-117222-71 p. 75 (40/7 On 3/30/61, Roberto Fabian Armand Borrego, Miami, advised that he fled from Cuba recently because he was wanted by the Cuban Government for involvement in counterrevolutionary activities. He stated that. the MRP formerly was the most significant counterrevolutionary organization in Cuba, but support of it and Manuel Ray had declined drastically since Ray fled to the US. ::: . 105-95461-9 p. 2 (11) _HW 45937 DocId:32307127 Page 35 -16- j
7 .e » SECRET ! On 3/30/61, Roberto Fabian Armand Borrego, Miami ,. Fla., advised that he was a member of the committee in exile of the 30th of November Movement (105-92196). He stated that this committee had been meeting frequently with Jose Miro Cardona, the president of the RC which had been formed recently through the union of the FRD of Manuel Antonio De Varona and the MRP headed by Manuel Ray... He continued that the committee was leaving momentarily for NYC for additional conferences with Cardona and members of the RC. »; } 105-92196-2 p. 5 (6)~ Evelio Duque Rodriquez, 627 9th Ave., NYC, advised that shortly after his arrival in NYC on 3/12/61 from Cuba, he joined the MRP which was headed by Manuel Ray. He exhibited his membership -' card which had been issued in NY on 3/31/61. He indicated that he 8 stopped attending MRP meetings in NY after about three or four function? because he had some misgivings about the political ideology of this organization, particularly of Manuel Ray.’..: ; ( 105-117538-11 p. 1,2 (14) NY 2865-S furnished a statement forwarded to him by Dr. Guillermo Alonso Pujol, a Vice President of Cuba from 1948 to 1952. Informant stated that the background given by Dr. Pujol was an answer to Cuban exiles who were critical of. his trip to Havana, Cuba, to visit his son and other prisoners captured during the ill-fated Cuban invasion of 4/17/61. Ly)  ) Under the caption,- "Conference For Good Purpose," Dr. Pujol mentioned that upon Dr. Miro Cardona's return to NY from.the invasion, he and his entire Council , except Manuel Ray, met with a group of parents, including Pujol. eo) ) - 105-99200-96 p. 4 11)/ On 2/7/62, Angel Orlando Berisiartu y Palop, a Cuban exile in Miami, advised that he had been a member of the July 26 Revolutionary Movement under Fidel Castro. He claimed that he had been in frequent contact and association with Camilo Cienfuegos (105-54536), Chief of the Cuban Revolutionary Army, until the. time of his disappearance... , (continued on next page) ep rin 2) ae rT = haw 45937 DocId:32307127 Page 36 -17-