AGENCY : RECORD NUMBER : RECORDS SERIES : REPORT AGENCY FILE NUMBER : Date:06/27/94 Page:1 JFK ASSASSINATION SYSTEM IDENTIFICATION FORM AGENCY INFORMATION SSCIA 157-10004-10125 DOCUMENT INFORMATION ORIGINATOR : FBI ‘ FROM : DREW, WILLIAM MAYO . TO : TITLE : SECOND NATIONAL FRONT OF ESCAMBRAY (SNFE) DATE : 12/09/64 PAGES : 30 SUBJECTS : SECOND NATIONAL FRONT OF ESCAMBRAY (SNFE) INTERNAL SECURITY - CUBA REGISTRATION ACT - CUBA NEUTRALITY MATTERS DOCUMENT TYPE : CLASSIFICATION : RESTRICTIONS : PAPER, TEXTUAL DOCUMENT U 4, DONOR REST., REFERRED , CURRENT STATUS : X § DATE OF LAST REVIEW : 06/27/94 OPENING CRITERIA : \ COMMENTS : box 377 [R] - ITEM IS RESTRICTED i WW 50529 DoclId: 3227027014 Page 1
s _ « @ = oon. #37 To 1 = INS, MIAMI (RM) 1 - CUBAN AFFAIRS, U. 8S. 120. 8, CUSTOMS, Mrayr 1 = CIA, MIAMI (RM) DEPT. OF STATE, MIAMI (aM) 2 -.U. S$. cUSTCuS. 1 - FAA, MIAMI (RM) 1 - U.S, COAST CUARD, MIAMI (RM) REGION II, wihu: L- G-2, FT. McPHERSON, GA. (2M) 1 - 0, S$, CUSTOMS, (RM) ts 1 = BORDER PATROL, MIAMI (RM) ‘KEY WEST, FLA, (RM) 1 - ONI, 6TH ND, CHARLESTON, S.C. (RM) 1 - OSI, 6TH DIST. < UNI. 2 STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUL “Ice FEDERAL BUREAU OF RE SATION Report of: | WILLIAM MAYO DREW, JR, Ofien ROBINS AFB, GA, (RM: Deter. Decenber 9, 1964 MIAMI, FLORIDA Field Office File &: 105-6243 Bereev Files 105-112998 Tete: SECOND NATIONAL FRONT OF ESCAMBRAY (SNFE) (OPERATION ALPHA 66) CIA HAS NO OR fot DECLASS' 7" : RELES SEO. C aH Chwecten INTERNAL SECURITY - CUBA; : THIS use os iy REGISTRATION ACT — CUBA; 93 Kb NEUTRALITY MATTERS Headquarters of organization located 109-111 S. W. 12th Ave., Miami, Fla, A list of 60 SNFE delegations in various parts of U. s. as well as 8 delegatious in Central and South -.: . America set forth, Fedceracion Estudiantil Universitaria (FEU) signed military pact with SNFE to furnish manpower... for future military action. SNFE considering joining unity organization of MANUEL URRUTIA, former President of Cube. ELOY GUTISRREZ MENOYO, military leader of SNFE, allegedly departed Miami area in mid-1964 with certain other SHFZ ce | INSEE resortedly requested assistance 4m, tablishing a base of operat ‘onaiumw = pase «6 GUTIERREZ MENOYO reported to &é in Cuba with five of his wen in 6/64. Ia late 7/64, GUTIEREEZ was reported to be on Andros Island, Bahamas, by one source, and hiding outside of Misael by another source. In 8/64, GUTIERREZ was reported to be on Williams Islasd northwest of Andros Isiand and in the DR, In 9/64 and 10/64, GUTIBE2ZES reported by several sources to be in the DR. Informatics received indicating SNFE was cperating two training c ia Puerto Rico during June to October, 1964, but as of 10/14/64, both casps had closed and there were no groups trainiag is Puerto Rico, A@ of 11/64, several sources reported GUTIEZERRSZ and his men in or near DR. As of 6/25/64, SNFE had $6,500.Ce 3 noo Tey. a 4 : 3 ab NATIONAL SUCUTITY ; INTOPMATION —— Subject to CM rainal Sancti a This document contefae neither recommendations ser cone metene of eo P81. BO Ge mover of eo P8l as Se your egesey; it end ite ceateats ere cot te be diswibuted ene ate yeas ayensy. oe , . | | 59) » a — - ——— — - rr a ee + eS LT HW 50529 DBocld:32202014 Page 2
MM 105-6243 On May 25, 1964, MM T-2, a Cuban exile who had connections in the SNFE in Tampa, Florida, advised that the Third Congress of the SNFE met in Tampa on May 23 and May 24, 1964. MM T-2 said that although there were eighty delegates of the SNFE in the United States, only fourteen of the eighteen Florida delegates attended the Congress. Among the members of the Executive Committee of the SNFE from Miami, Florida, whovattended were: . _ OF SUBJECT ORGANIZATION._ ANDRES NAZARIO; FLEITES; oo : ARMANDO ; Fro ELOY GUTIERREZ MENOYO; DIEGO MEDINA; : | \ and weston (/ARANGUREN, | 7 MM T-2 advised that the purpose of this Congress — was to discuss Plan Omega, the' SNFE plan for the liberatioi of Cuba. All delegates were advised to make no public statements, especially to news media, concerning Plan Omega. . , On July 6, 1964, MM T-2 advised that ANGEL CARREGAL, head of the Tampa Delegation of the SNFE, was appointed Inspector of Delegations for the SNFE by ANDRES NAZARIO, secretary of organization. In this capacity, CARREGAL was expected to visit the various cities and delegations of the s On August 3, 1964, MM T-2 advised that ANGEL CARRIGAL was preparing to leave Tampa to join the Los Angeles, California, Delegation of the SNFE. Reverend ELOIN AJO was to replace CARREGAL as the Tampa delegate of the SNFE. On June 1, -1964, MM T-3, an individual who has contacts with Cubans in the San Antonio - Brownsville, Texas, area, advised that a delegation of the SNFE had been formed _in Brownsville on May 28, 1964, and that the head of the Brownsville Delegation was CESAR VITIER. A delegation of the SNFE was formed in San Antonio on May 20, 1964, and the head of that delegation was Dr. NOE/ HERNANDEZ. 2X . ‘9. an : ma) \ i NAY A Cheney o- _ cet meee see . ; : - 7 . 7 soon . . . Y HW 50529 DBocld:32202014 Page 11
MM 105-6243 On September 16, 1964, MM T-3 advised that the SNFE delegations in San Antonio’ and Brownsville, Texas, have been disbanded due to dissatisfaction among the . members who felt that they were contributing to a worthless cause, On June 24, 1964, CHARLES seu, 848 Beacon Street, Boston, Massachusetts, advised that he had been acting as assistant to TOMAS VIERA, head of the Boston Delegation of the SNFE. STEEL said that he was in charge of publicity, and had been sending out letters requesting monetary and moral support for the organization. He said the SNFE at Boston had no offices, had no meetings, and operated at that tine out of STEEL's apartment, where there was a mimeograph machine. In the last year and a half, the Boston Delegation of the SNFE had sent about $2, 000, 00 to the SNFE Delegation in Miami. On November 18, 1964, CHARLES STEEL advised that the SNFE in the Boston area had practically disbanded, and that the local delegate, TOMAS VIERA, had severed his) association with the organization. On July 29, 1964, MM T-&, another Government agency which conducts personnel and intelligence investigations, made available information obtained from a member of a group of - Cuban emigres trained in the techniques of information collection. According to MM T-8, NESTOR ARANGUREN, said that responsible members of the SNFE were to be transferred out of Miami in the immediate future. AURELIO NAZARIO was scheduled to go to New York, ANTONIO VECIANA was expected to be transferred to Puerto Rico, and other members were to be stationed throughout Latin America. The SNFE was planning to m@intain a small office in Miami. On August 10, 1964, MM T-1 advised that ARMANDO FLEITES departed from Miami on August 7, 1964, by plane, for Caracas, Venezuela. On August 14, 1964, MM T-1 advised that in the Miami Delegation of the SNFE, the following individuals hold membership in the Military and Confidential Sections: AURELIO NAZARIO SARGEN; 10. qs HW 50529 DBocld:32202014 Page 12
’ _ gC BOK HST! MM 105-6243 - . _ Ne "MEMBER OF SUBJECT ORC SZATION | EUSEBIO OJEDA; ~ NESTOR ARANGUREN; RUBEN VALERA. reo ——— ANDRES NAZARIO also participates in the meetings of the Military Section, as well as his secretary, ANGELITA-LAVIN, 97}. = - wa. ; L On October 30, 1964, MM T=-1 advised that ANDRES NAZARIO had left Miami for the New York - New Jersey area, where he will contact the various delegations of the SNFE, ANTONIO VECIANA, financial secretary, also left Miami for Puerto Rico, ; “On November 2, 1964, MM T-1 advised that LOURDES/SRETOS had come to Miami from New Orleans, where she had been active in the SNFE. | — ba III. UNITY WITH OTHER ANTI-CASIRO ORGANIZATIONS The May 30, 1964, issue of a Spmish language newspaper, "Liberacion,"™ contained an artii¢le on Page 1 captioned, "Position of the FEU," (Federation Estudiantil Universitaria). This article relates that the FEU, in Exile, ' having reached a firm decision to be in tim forefront of the armed fight to overthrow the Communist tyranny in Cuba, had decided to back "Plan Omega," which is beiing carried forward by the SNFE - Alpha 66 - MRP. It said thet the FEU urged all Cuban students, both inside and outside of Cuba, to join in the coming battle. The article said timt this announcement / was made in the city of Miami on May 12, 1964, by GUSTAVO/ RODRIGO, ; Secretary General; GREGORIA DEL CAMPO, Servetary.of Military =. \ Matters; and GUSTAVO, MAZORRA, Secretary of Press and Propaganda, —-~ On June 6, 1964, GUSTAVO/ RODRIGB of the FEU advised that during the preceding month if Miami, there had been a Ls A considerable amount of discussion concerniimg the possibilities” of military action against the CASTRO regime by certain Cuban exiles, The leaders of the FEU were of ths opinion that the SNFE would be the group most likely to engage in such action. 11. 4 HW 50529 DBocld:32202014 Page 13
“8, | $SCI BOX # 375. Ma 105-6243 a Since it was the earnest desire of the FEU to engage in the fight against CASTRO at the earliest opportunity, the FSU signed a military pact with the SNFE to furnish manpower in the event of furthermilitary action on the part of the On June 16, 1964, MM T-1 advised that the FEU had not actually joined the SNFE, although they were support- ing Plan Omega, the military action plan of the SNFE. ; : 6, 19€ é UTIA, a forner President of Cuba, cae to Miaai from New York in connection with his efforts to establish a unity organization which he calls Alianza Revolucionaria Desocrata (ARD). While in Hisat A had conferences with representatives from various anti organizations concerning the poesibility that they would jois the ARD. Representatives of the SNYS were among those who _. conferred with URRUTIA, and it was sgreed that the SNFE would tentatively participate in the formation of the ABD. MM T-4 -@gaid that a definite decision to join the ARD by the SNFE had not yet been made. Iv. REPORTS ON THE WUE REABOUTS OF ELOY GUTIERREZ MENOYO AND RELATED MILITARY PLANS OF THE SNYE /THAY GUTIERREZ MEROTO io the ailitary leader of the SNYFE. On May 19, 1964, MI T-4 advised that on the preceding day, ARMANDO FLEITES, SHVE officer, remarked that GUTIERRES had left the Miami area within the previcus few days, and was outside of the United States ag of that tine. ' Qe duly 23, 1964, Mii T-S advised that ca My 31, 1964, ARMANDO FPLEITSS said that he did sot know the whereabouts of GUTIERREZ, but he thought he sight be in New York. Accordiag to 13. sc HW 50529 DBocld:32202014 Page 14
SSC! agp 6 375. MM 105-6243 / be FLEITES, the SNFE plans called for the gradual infiltration of groups into Cuba in various zones until there are enough to start operating in the Escambray Mountains, as well as in other areas, FLEITES said he did not think the United States Government would object to this type of operation because there was no intention on the part of the SNFE to raid the Cuban mainland. moe On May 28, 1964, MM T-1 advised that awenber of _. f- the SNFE named (First Name Unknown) MURIAS said that Jf FLORENCIO "KIKO"/ PERNAS and JOSE “CUQUI'/ CASANOVA were with ©” GUTIERREZ, wherever that might be. (PNU) MURIAS said he knew that GUTIERREZ was still in the United States, but that it would be a long time before he would be seen around Miami On May 31, 1964, Mi T-1 advised that in discussing Plan Omega on that date, ARMANDO FLEITES said that the SNFE had only from 35 = 50 men who could be sent to Cuba, and thmt the leadership of the SNFE considered that this would be © suicide. He said that it would be difficult to infiltrate clandestinely, since the SNFE had very fow contacts in Cuba. Accordingly, the SNFE had no choice but to wait and follow developments. ~{> a = Preportedly advised represe ives o the SNFE that aid would be given any legitimate anti-CASTRO organization if approved by the United States Governaent. 7 Oa Sune 12, 1964, MN T-5 furnished information *:%_ obtained from FRANCISCO DOMINGUEZ /MATDAGAN. DOMINGUEZ said ; Chat GUTIERREZ was in Cube as of June 3, 1964, accompanied " by DOMTHGO/ORTEGA, FLORENCIO PERNAS, JOSE CASANOVA, RAPARLYMEWENDEZ, and RAMON..QUESADA. DOMINGUEZ said that GUTIBREES had Decstouemtcati ag daily from the Escasbrey Mountaias with contacts in Costa Rica and Santo Dowingo. 13. HW 50529 DBocld:32202014 Page 15
(7 MM 105-6243 SSCI BOX # $77- On June 17, 1964, MM T-5 made available information which had been obtained from AURELIO NAZARIO on June 8, 1964, NAZARIO said that the civilian leadership of the SNFE did not know the whereabouts of GUTIERREZ because of the strict compartmentation of the SNFE, The civilian leaders had been told that on about June 29, 1964, they would be able to make a public announcement, On June 22, 1964, MM T-1 advised that RUBEN YVARELA of the SNFE was claiming that PUBLIO/RUIZ, RAFAEL MENENDEZ, JOSE CASANOVA, FLORENCIO PERNAS, and ‘(First Name Unknown) ORTEGA were with GUTIERREZ, and had infiltrated Cuba, On July 21, 1964, MM T-5 furnished information to the effect that ANTONIO VECIANA had said that a radio message from GUTIERREZ had been received by the SNFE radio operator, ERGIO 0. (LOPEZ, in which GUTIERREZ requested that $10,000.00 be sent to him immediately, and another $20,000.00 be sent within the next ten days. As of July 6, 1964, no further — - word had been heard from GUTIERREZ, whose whereabouts had not been disclosed. : , | On July 17, 1964, MM T-1 advised that RUBEN VARELA said (First Name Unknown) VEGA, also known as El Negro, - (First Name Unknown) CASTILLO, and JORGE PAEZ, were to leavet’ ~~ for Cuba to join GUTIERREZ. VARELA said'that the SNFE had recently purchased $24,000.00 worth of arms with the help of a Dominican general in Santo Domingo, and that ANTONIO VECIANA had been the contact for the purchase of these arms. VARELA made no comment as to where the arms were being stored. On July 23, 1964, MM T-5 made available information supplied by a former Cuban diplomat with contacts in exile circles., According to this Source, on June 16, 1964, aA 1.8 JOAQUIN GODOY of the MRP said that GUTIERREZ took forty menwith HW 50529 Doct him whén he left Florida. In preparation for his arrival in Cuba, GUTIERREZ had stockpiled food and ammunition in Cuba in sufficient quantities to enable his force to be independent of outside aid for eight or nine months. . a:32202014 Page 16 : t a
Ch ia: DoclId: 32207014 Page 17 WM 105-6243 SSC! BOX $77- On July 29, 1964, MM T-5 made available information furnished by a member of a group of Cuban emigres trained in the’ techniques of information collection. According to * JOSE(GARCIA;VALDEZ, GUTIERREZ was on Andros Island in the Bahdmas as of July’ 23, 1964. GARCIA said he obtained this information from JOSE, MOURI a close associate of GUTIERREZ. — Le On July 27, 1964, MM T-1 advised that ANDRES NAZARIO, in commenting on the “best way to handle inquiries as to the whereabouts of GUTIERREZ, said that it should be stated that GUTIERREZ is in Cuba. NAZARIO indicated that he did not know the whereabouts of GUTIERREZ, but considered it likely that he was then in Cuba, but that in any event, such a statement would serve to lift’ the moraleof the Cuban’ exiles. On July 29, 1964, MM T-4 advised that ARMANDO FLEITES of the SNFE had recently said that GUTIERREZ had his wife and child in hiding with him, that he was outside of Miami, but’ that he was not outside of the United States. On August 3, 1964, MM T-1 advised that GUTIERREZ “A had called for (FNU) CASTILLO and ORLANDO, VEGA to join him Pa and that they would disappear shortly. Cubs On August 3, 1964, MM T-5 furnished information which had been obtained from SERGIO LOPEZ, ‘communications chief for the SNFE, LOPEZ said he had received a message from GUTIERREZ advising that GUTIERREZ intended to go ahead with his plan to enter Cuban territory. GUTIERREZ said he had about forty or fifty men with him and that he was counting on about three hundred men in Cuba who were ready to join hin. GUTIERREZ claimed that all of his arms and equipment were already outside United States territory, and that neither he nor his men were in the United States or on British territory. On August 3, 1964, MM T-1 advised that: ' JOSE/CARDOSO, aka, Cheo, said that within two weeks he would be leaving to reg T GUTIERREZ, and that only ANDRES NAZARIO and: NESTOR ARANGUREN would remain in the offices of the SNFE. , 15,
. ©. ROX # 3777-- WM 105-6243 | 1 j ’ i On August 5, 1964, MM T-& furnished information relating that MAX LESNICK, editor of "Replica," a weekly newspaper published jointly by the SNFE and another anti- ot CASTRO group known as Junta Revolucionaria (JURE), said — — ee on about July 20, 1964, in which he said that he. had otek hat his father, SAM/LESNICK, had written him a letter Eo DoclId:322027014 Page 15 seen CECELIO/VAZQUEZ, a confidant of GUTIERREZ, in Santoc-.:.. - Domingo on Several occasions. He wrote that VAZQUEZ "meets frequently with the good people outside the city," which MAX LESNICK believed referred to GUTIERREZ's group. On August 7, 1964, MM T-4 advised that ANDRES NAZARIO had said that a number of the leading officers of the SNFE had become increasingly concerned during the past month about the activities of GUTIERREZ. NAZARIO mentioned that GUTIERREZ had been absent from Miami for several months, that his whereabouts was unknown to the general public, and that he had received a considerable sum of money for the purchase of arms. NAZARIO said that as of the end of July, 1964, GUTIERREZ, his wife, and child were staying at an — unidentified location in the vicinity of Cypress Gardens, ~. Florida, but that the SNFE was considering a plan to move him out of the United States and locate him on an island off the coast of Honduras, On August 25, 1964, MM T~5 made available information which had been obtained from FRANCISCO DOMINGUEZ, a member of ‘the SNFE, According to DOMINGUEZ, RAFAEL/ MENENDEZ, BERMUDEZ was acting as the Chief of the Secret: Encampment which had been established by GUTIERREZ, and that a shipment of arns valued at about $25,000.00 allegedly left Miami for this encampment. MM T=-5 also furnished information obtained from AURELIO WAZARIO, an officer of the SNFE, reporting that the SNFE, as of July 13, 1964, had delivered $30,000.00 to GUTIERREZ for the repair of his ships, the purchase of another transport vessel, and the acquisition of new weapons. As of June 15, 1964, the SNFE had received offers from Guatemala, Honduras,’ Nicaragua, and the DR for the establish- ment of bases and training camps on their territory. 16.
. t © BOX# 377.. MM 105-6243 On August 25, 1964, MM T-5 made available information which had keen obtained 2-ay JoS7 GARCIA VALDEZ, who had said taat GUTIERREZ and some of his men . were encamped on Williams Island northwest of Andros Island in the Pahanas. In addition, there was another group living at Little Spanish River on Andros Island. © On August 19, 1964, MM T-1 advised that JORGE PALZ, a member of the Military Section of the SNFE, reportedly went to Puerto Rico on August 10, 1964, RUBEN VALERA, another member of the SNFE Military Section, was Saying at that time that he believed GUTIERREZ to be in Santo Domingo. On August 14, 1964, MM T-7, a Cuban exile with Cap: numerous contacts among a variety of anti-CASTRO organizations co in Miami, advised that on August 13, 1964, SERGIO DIAZ /BRULL ~ said that ELOY GUTIERREZ MENOYO of the SNFE was then in the DR. | ERG oDraz BRULL is a half brother of PEDRO. LUIS/DIAZ:LANZ, -formerly Chief_of the Cuban Rebel ~ Cuban Rebel Air Force of FIDEL CASTRO, 44g On August 21, 1964, MM T-1 advised that MAX LESNICK, while at the offices of the SNFE on August 18, 1964, parti- cipated in a heated discussion with members of the SNFE -concerning the whereabouts of ELOY GUTIERREZ MENOYO and the other members of the SNFE who had already disappeared from the Miami area. LESNICK said that he did not know the whereabouts of GUTIERREZ or the others, but that he assumed they were together. ; On September 4, 1964, MM _T-5 furtlished information which had been obtained from JOSE/GARCIA/VALDEZ,' indicating that he would depart from Miami on September 3, 1964, to /-4 deliver a boat to GUTIERREZ, who was on Andros Island in thé Bahamas. GARCIA also mentioned that during the first week of September, 1964, he was going to send two boats to Puerto Rico for GUTIERREZ. On September 10, 1964, MM T-5 furnished additional information which had been obtained from GARCIA, It was reported that GARCIA said that instead of a boat, he would be transporting a man called "PABLO." He said he was scheduled 17. | | HW 50529 DBoclId:32202014 Page 19
SSCI BOX # 375. MM 105-6243 to depart on September 4, 1964, from Miami in the "Julidu," and that on September 5, 1964, "he and "PABLO" were to rendezvous at a lighthouse on "Riding. Rock with GUTIERREZ MENOYO, who would then probably proceed to the SNFE - encampment on a key near Andros Island. On September 9, 1964, MM T-1 advised that Dr. ENRIQUE HUERTAS, prominent “Cuban exile physician, had said that there’ was general agreement among the various Cuban exile groups that GUTIERREZ MENOYO and his group were then in the DR. Dr. HUERTAS said that the group is believed to be on a ranch in the interior of the country. On September 24, 1964, MM T=-5 furnished informa- tion obtained from JOSE GARCIA VALDEZ by a member of a i, group of Cuban emigres trained in the techniques of ack information collection. It was reported that GARCIA had 7° °_ returned to Miami after having transported HUASCAR¢RODRIGUEZ, a Dominican, to Riding Rock, to negotiate with HAROLD 7MCKENZIE, an Englishman, for a lease for Middle Key in the Bahamas — to be. used as an operational base by GUTIERREZ MENOYO. GARCIA said ' that a six-months'’ lease was signed for $2,000.00. According to GARCIA, RODRIGUEZ told him that GUTIERREZ MENOYO was then in the DR. On September 25, 1964, MM T-5 furnished information obtained from a Cuban with international shipping interests ‘ dn the Caribbean. According to this source, GUTIERREZ had left American territory several weeks prior to August 13, 1964, and as of August 13, 1964, was in the DR. MM T-5 said that the SNFE had about 200 - 300 men in an unknown number of military camps in that country. The men were being trained under the supervision of the Dominican Army. Concerning SNFE operations in Puerto Rico, it is noted that on June 2, 1964, RENE COMAS FLORES, a fisherman residing in Joyuda, Puerto. Rico, furnished information concerning a house -in Joyuda on the oceanfront in which about twenty-five Cubans had been staying at one time or another. COMAS said that on May 29, 1964, a man who identified himself as RAMON/GARCIA, a Cuban, approached _ COMAS and asked to buy COMAS' boat. On June 1, 1964, _ GARCIA, another unidentified young man from San Juan, and COMAS, went to the Gordillo Distributing Company, Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, whose owner, LUIS/ GORDILLG QUESADA, operates 18, HW 50529 DBocld:32202014 Page 20
. SSci BOX # 37>7- MM 105-6243 a juke box and cigarette machine business. GORDILLO gave COMAS $4,500.00 for his boat, "Mameyes," a thirty-five- foot sailing sloop with a sixty h. p. Fordson inboard Diesel motor, The boat was then registered with the Port Captain, Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, in the name of JOSE A, MOURIZ. COMAS said this group had also purchased a twenty-three-foot sailing sloop auxiliary for $600.00. Concerning JOSE AY MOURIZ, it is noted that JOSE ANTONIO”/MOURIZ. FEBLES is a member of the Military Section of the SNFE. oe on On July 24, 1964, JOSE ANTONIO LCNGORIA, San German, Puerto Rico, advised that the owner of the house in Joyuda, in which the Cubans were staying, is JUAN R. GELPI, brother- in-law of LONGORIA. GELPI rented the house to JOSE A. MOURIZ for three months beginning March 4, 1964, and LONGORIA believed - that MOURIZ rented the house for-another two or three sonths subsequent to June 4, 1964. —~ puerto Rico, advised that &@n olive drab box containing a machine gun belt loader and a clip for a small arms weapon had been found abandoned in a beach house near Curvas de Rincon, Anasco, Puerto Rico. The house had been occupted by two Cubans who left suddenly after questioning by the local police. . ne procéss of training in western Puerto Rico nezr Anasco and Mayaguez. This source said at one time there had been an SNFE group training near Joyuda, Puerto Rico, but that this group had left and gone to the Bahamag, where they joined GUTIERREZ MENOYO at his camp. MM T-8 said that the SNFE and its companion groups of Cuban exiles, the MRP, Alpha 66, and the FEU, as well _ as the splinter group of Comgandos L,_led by ANTONIO/CUESTA, - - were all united. Mi T-8 said these groups are recruiting Cubane in New York and bringing them to Miani, and then to Puerto Rico, where they are outfitted, trained, furnished & boat, and transported to the Bahamas. 19. HW 50529 DBocld:322027014 Page 21
DoclId: 32202014 Page 2? may yo ee # 377- ‘ © $85) Oy MM 105-6243 A representative of the Central Intelligence Agency, Washington, D. C., on October 22, 1964, advised that the activities in Puerto Rico, described above, have no connection with CIA operations. On October 14, 1964, eurL1cAGALLERO, 502 Sirio Street, Altamira, Guayanabo, Puerto Rico, local representa- tive of the SNFE, advised that there were two groups of the SNFE recently training in the area of Mayaguez. One of these was led by JOSE ANTONIO MOURIZ FEBLES, and consisted of about fifteen men, This group trained near Joyuda, Puerto Rico. They purchased a boat in Mayaguez through the efforts of LUIS GORDILLO of a local vending machine company, which is a branch of Bush International in San Juan run by LEON NICK, a leading financial backer of the SNFE. The group which was training near Joyuda left by boat several months ago, and CABALLERO said that he did not know their destination. , . 3 CABALLERO advised that a second group of about twenty men, under the leadership of ROBERTO/PINEDA/ESCALANTE, were recently training in the area of Anasco, Puerto Rico, near Mayaguez, and this group left on about October 5, 1964, for an unknown destination. CABALLERO said that there were no groups training in Puerto Rico as of that time and that only the two groups mentioned above, sponsored by the SNFE, ‘had been training in Puerto Rico. The men were brought in from New York and Miami, trained, outfitted with clothing, and furnished with a boat. They were then shipped out by boat to unspecified destinations, but not directly to Cuba. On October 22, 1964, MM T-5 furnished information from a member of a group of Cuban emigres trained in the techniques of information collection, which information had been obtained from ANDRESXTABAYO,GUEVARA. In mid-August, 1964, TAMAYO, an officer of the SNIE residing in Elizabeth, New Jersey, sent $30,000.00 which had been raised by the Cuban exiles in New Jersey, to the SNFE. This money was to be spent on the purchase of arms to be infiltrated into Cuba for use in activities expected to be s 20. %)
SSCI BOX # 377- MM 105-6243 undertaken by October 10, 1964. According to TAMAYO, GUTIERREZ MENOYO was in Cuba as of September 1, 1964. On October 13, 1964, MM T-9, agai the Dominican Government had instructed Cuban exile groups in the DR that there would be no Cuban exile activity from Dominican territory until after the Presidential election in the United States. Among the exile groups nentioned by MM T-9 as having a group in the DR was the SNFE. On October 16, 1964, MM T-4 advised that ZA .“K ASCENCIO, formerly an officer in the SNFE and a close friend - Of GUTIERREZ said on October 15, 1964, that contrary to the -——— statements being made by many of the people in the SNFE, GUTIERREZ was not at that time outside the United States, but was, in fact, on Big Pine Key in the Florida Keys. On November 2, 1964, MH T-7 advised that "KIKI”. . . TORRES, a Cuban exile who had just returned to Miami from -¢i_=_ “ the DR, said that the group of GUTIERREZ MENOYO waa at that g¢ time training in Santo Domingo, DR, — Meee On October 16, 1964, MM T=-1 made available a copy of a letter which had been sent out by SNFE headquarters to the various delegations. English translation of: this letter is set forth below: "109 8. W. 12th Avenue Miaei, Florida 33130 FR 4-9382 | “Second Front Alpha 66 MRP “Delegaté General "Chief of Military Department "Dear Coupatriots: “In accordance with our plans, we request that you send us the forss you have received froa Cubans who have registered as willing to fight to liberate Cuba under the orders of the Party. The foras jou sead 21. | ' i ' : i { | { : ' ' oe i HW 50529 DBoclId:322027014 Page 23
a . | MM 105-6243 SSCI Box # 37976 | "should be on men who are fully identified and worthy of trust. Our Department will choose the men as needed. | "We authorize you to make it public that recently a group of young men, members of our organization, left to carry out the activities of Plan Omega. This was one more group of the many who have left the U. S., and today they are all doing their duty. Soon, our comrades on these delegations will also follow this heroic route. "Plan Omega is being carried out, and without endangering our personnel, we can state that we are quite satisfied at the moment, and we hope for future activities in Cuban territory soon. We cannot state dates and hours for many reasons, but when the activities of Plan Omega are carried out, the whole world will know that our Second War of Independence has begun. "Very truly yours, in "REINALDO ABREU "Military Department ~ "Note: Concerning the men who left, this should only be communicated to members and sympathizers, not to ‘the press," . On November 2, 1964, MM T-1 advised that LOURDES BRETOS, active in the Miami Office of the SNFE, said on October 31, 1964, that ANGEL/ BANOS ‘PANTOJA, . aka, Angelito, had departed from New_York City en route to. join GUTIERREZ MENOYO and his men. 22. Qe HW 50529 DBocld:322027014 Page 24 .
: SSC BOX # 377- MM 105-6243 | On October 29, 1964, MM T=1 advised that: he had obtained the following information on that date fron RUBEN VARELA, a close friend of ANTONIO VECIANA: o fairly good-sized boats, which belonged to Junta Revolucionaria (JURE), were delivered by JURE leader MANUEL RAY) RIVERO to the SNFE ~ Alpha 66. These boats were delivered in Puerto Rico and ANTONIO VECIANA was present at the time of delivery. It was not known whether the boats were purchased by or loaned to the SNFE. On November 6, 1964, MM T-4, advised that on November 4, 1964, he was informed by one (First Name Unknown) FUENTES, SNFE member, that ELOY GUTIERREZ MENOYO, military chief of SNFE, moved from his previous location and is now —- in either the Dominican Republic or the eastern portion of MM T-4 also advised that on November 6, 1964, he had been in contact with one (First Name Unknown) VAZQUEZ, also an SNFE member, who claimed to know that ELOY! GUTIERREZ MENOYO had recently moved to a new location, either in the Dominican Republic or Haiti. ARMANDO FLEITES, SNFE leader who went from Miami to Caracas, Venezuela, has left Venezuela and will join GUTIERREZ at this new location. | ' { 23. AN HW 50529 DBocld:32202014 Page 25
SSCI BOX # 377- ( 1 November 5, 1964, MM T-10,@RgExUNg . wwe" we Gs ene advised that the Dominican overnment had given permission to ELOY GUTIERREZ KENOYO and his group to establish a camp in the DR. GUTIERREZ and ninety men were to establish this camp for operations against the Government of Cuba. On November 5, 1964, MM T-5 furnished information obtained from a member of a group of Cuban emigres trained in the techniques of information collection. According to this source, the motor vessel "Three Seas" was to depart from Miami on November 7, 1964, to be taken to the DR for the SNFE. ' 7 On November 17, 1964, MM T-5 made available information furnished by a former Latin-American military officer who obtained it from ELISEO GOMEZ FERNANDEZ, partner in the Antillean Marine Shipping Corporation of Miami. _. GOMEZ said that he had spoken with ELOY GUTIERREZ MENOYO in: early October, 1964, in Santo Domingo, and GUTIERREZ said that the Dominican Government had given him & farm near the ocean to use as a military base. GOMEZ mentioned that he had — _/ put ANTONIO CUESTA of Comandos L in contact with GUTIERREZ, and that CUESTA was recruiting men for GUTIERREZ’s camp io the DR, - On November 9, 1964, MM Te4 adviged that SERGIO LOPEZ, personal radio operator for ELOY GUTIERREZ MENOYO, left Miaai in early November, 1964, destined for Santo Domingo. On November 27, 1964, MM T-5 unde available inforustitoa furnished by a Cuban exile with contacts in the MRP. According to this source, on October 20, 1964, AURELIO NAZARIO said that a written sessage had been received that day from GUTIERREZ, advising that two main groups of from seven to ten wen each vere soon to join hia. GUTIERREZ said that he had to face soee unexpected probleas, such ag the sinking of one of his boats, but that he heped to be in Cuba shortly. NAZARIO said he was sure that GUTIERREZ was not in Santo Domingo, but did not deny that he might be on a suall key near the DR. a4. HW 50529 DBoclId:32202014 Page 26 . ‘
l SSC BOX #37 7- MM 105-6243 It is noted that the "Miami Herald," a Miami daily newspaper, issue of November 16, 1964, Page 16A, Column 1, which contained an article commenting that a .former candidate for the presidency of Venezuela, JOSE USLAR, had been prohibited from entering the DR because the government considered him "undesirable," while on the other hand, a special entry permit ‘had been issued recently for ELOY GUTIERREZ MENOYO, Vv. FUNDS On July 21, 1964, MM T-5 made available information furnished by a Cuban exile with contacts in the MRP concerning the financial status of the SNFE, According to this source, as of June 25, 1964, the SNFE had only $6,500.00 in the bank. On June 27, 1964, a letter was sent to all of the delegations requesting funds in an effort to raise $30,000.00, which had been requested by GUTIERREZ MENOYO,. As of —_ June 30, 1964, $300.00 each had been raised from the dele-: gations in Philadelphia, Newark, and Tampa, $500.00 from Elizabeth, New Jersey, $250.00 from New Orleans, and ~~. e. $3,500.00 from the Puerto Rican delegation. By July 4, a 1964, an additional $2,500.00 had been raised through a function which was held at the Dinner Key Auditorium in Miami on that date. Also, a letter had been sent to Attorney General ROBERT KENNEDY outlining the request .Of GUTIERREZ for $30,000.00, and the immediate need for $10,000.00 to meet this request. On July 10, 1964, MM T-1 advised that about $3,000.00 had been collected by the SNFE through their Fourth of July Festival, On August 7, 1964, MM T-5 furnished information obtained by a Cuban exile with contacts in the MRP, who reported that ANTONIO VECIANA, Treasurer of the SNFE, said on July 15, 1964, that another message had been received from GUTIERREZ, in which he requested an additional $7,000.00. VECIANA said that in recent weeks, $22,000.00 had been collected and sent to GUTIERREZ, but that he did not know how the addi- tional money would be raised. . ' ' 25. , wy) HW 50529 DBocld:32202014 Page 27 ‘
HW 50529 ~-.> ' SSCI BOX ¥ 377- : qa —_ MM 105-6243 7 | On August 17, 1964, MM T-5 furnished information that the SNFE had $500.00 in the bank as of August 4, 1964, and that very few contributions were coming in. It was anticipated that by the end of the month, the alliance of the SNFE - Alpha 66 - MRP would be bankrupt. | On October 14, 1964, MM T-5 made available information indicating that ag of September 28, 1964, $1,800.00 had been received from the Venezuelan delegation, $700.00 from the Los Angeles, California, delegation, and $300.00 from various other delegations. ANTONIO VECIANA assigned $1,300.00 of this amount to REINALDO ABREU with the remaining $1,000.00 going to take care of the families of the men with GUTIERREZ. VECIANA said that he was planning to go to Puerto Rico on September 30, 1964, to organize a festival and boxing match to raise additional funds. : 7 CHEMEL, juke box distributor and representative of the ~—— Automatic Canteen Company, under the local name of Bush International, was the pergon who furnished the largest amount of financial support for the SNFE in Puerto Rico. NICK was in the same business in Cuba, and was considered a gangster with high connections in the BATISTA Government, and with the gambling elements of Las, Vegas, Nevada. His agent in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, LUIS’GORDILLO, a Cuban, also is operating a vending sachine business and financially supporting the SNFE in the purchase of launches for Cubens training in the Mayaguez area. _ _ On October 14, 1964, Ml T-1 advised that ANTONIO VECIANA said on October 9, 1964, that be would be going to Puerto Rico shortly to initiate a new fund raising program for the SNFE. DoclId:3227027014 Page 276 .
e SSCI Box ¥ 377- MM 105-6243 VI. MISCELLANEOUS | On June 16, 1964, MM T-1 advised that on ‘June 13, 1964, a women's auxiliary of the SNFE had been organized, and that about sixty women were in attendance at the first meeting of this Woman's Section of ‘the SNFE. The August 26, 1964, issue of the "Palm Beach Post," West Palm Beach, Florida, carried an article entitled “Four Cubans Walk Through Palm Beaches." This article disclosed that four Cuban patriots walked through North Palm Beach and West Palm Beach on the previous day on their cross-country walk from New York to Miami. They departed New York City eighty-seven days previously and planned to reach Miami on the following Saturday. They were wearing fatigue uniforms; were sleeping along the roadside en route; each man carried a flag, one an American flag, an official- Cuban flag, and a flag representing the first flag flown _- in Cuba during that country's first independence war in 1958. The organizations sponsoring this march were named as the _ Second National Front of the Escambray (SNFE), Alpha 66, and the Movimiento Revolucionaria del Pueblo (MRP) (Revolutionary Movement of the People. ) | 1 1 | The article disclosed that the marathon walk was designed to publicize these organizations and their plans to ‘liberate Cuba using guerrilla warfare and infiltration. The a men were also collecting unsolicited donations along the way. ee These four Cuban marchers were named as RAFAELAFRAGA, age 33; (=> Fm JUAN M.XGARCIA, age 24; LINO{RODRIGUEZ, age 22; and JORGE/ VAZQUEZ, y age 208, .2rsod SAO oe & deprog 2 & Appeoy 4} On August 31, 1964, Sergeant JOSEPH FERNANDEZ, Intelligence Unit, Dade County Sheriff's Office,: Miami, Florida, advised that the SNFE, Alpha 66, and the MRP had obtained - permission for a march, beginning at 12:00 noon on Saturday, September 5, 1964, at N. W. 27th Avenue and 105th Street, and proceeding to S. W. 12th Avenue and lst Street, the location of the offices of these three organizations, where one hundred Cubans were expected to join the original four marchers. The marchers would then proceed to the Torch of Freedom monument, located in Bayfront Park in downtown Miami. They were expected to arrive at this monument at 5:00 p.m. on September 5, 1964. 27. HW 50529 DBocld:32202014 Page 29
aa 377- MM 105-6243 On September 1, 1964, Mr. ” JOAQUIN GODOY, Chief of the MRP in Miami, confirmed the above schedule, and stated that upon arrival at the Torch of Freedom monument, the wife of ELOY GUTIERREZ MENOYO, head of the SNFE, would present to the original four marchers the same key that had been given her husband by Mayor ROBERT KING HIGH in 1959 upon the occasion of the arrival of MENOYO in Miami from Cuba, Mayor HIGH of Miami was invited to attend this ceremony, and an escort of motorcycle policemen preceded the marchers. Mr. GODOY said the purpose of this march was to propagandize the cause of the Cuban exiles against FIDEL CASTRO. On September 11, 1964, MM T=-1 advised that on September 5, 1964, leaflets were left at the office of the SNFE, and the walls were defaced with paint. The leaflets, which were left there by unknown individuals, defended Mexico and LOPEZ MATEOS for not breaking diplomatic’ relations with Cuba. On December 1, 1964, MM T-1 advised that ANTONIO -VECIANA, financial secretary of the SNFE, returned to Miami recently from Puerto Rico, stayed for a few days, and then went back to Puerto Rico, where he said meetings of the SNFE ‘were being held. ANDRES NAZARIO is expected to return to Miami from his trip to inspect the delegations of the SNFE in the _ | North within the next week or ten days. AMAURY/FRAGINALS, ree a leader of the Cuban Electrical Workers, and member of the SNFE, left a few days ago for Venezuela to attend some Venezuelan union meetings at which he was supposed to speak. ! i 28.* Qk HW 50529 DBocld:32202014 Page 30