ae UNITI1 STATES DEPARTMENT OF v. STICE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION In Reply, Please Refer to OcT 16 63 File No. Miami , Florida SSCI BOX # MOVIMIENTO DEMOCRATA CRISTIANO (MDC) INTERNAL SECURITY - CUBA BATISTA FALLA FACTION Kat fo: LAUREANO ,BATISTA FALLA is the military leader of one section of ‘the Movimiento Democratica Cristiano (MDS), an anti-FIZZL CASTRO organization, which section maintains its office at 1732 N.W. 7th Street, Miami, . Florida, phone number FRanklin 1-9182. “On July 1, 1963, United States Customs Agents —s confiscated a 23' Seabird blue fibreglass boat belonging to BATISTA. The boat contained Florida registration #FL 1218F and was confiscated because it carried a gun mount. On July 19, 1963, Mr. WALLACE SHANLEY, United _ States Customs Agent, Miami, advised BATISTA appeared at the office of United States Customs, Miami, subsequent to the confiscation of the boat, for the purpose of hav- ‘ing it released. BATISTA claimed that the gun that was going to be used on the gun mount had been confiscated by United States Customs Agents. on their recent raid at the residence of CARLOS\RARRAGA, 2954 S.W. 16th Terrace, /’ REVIEWED BY FBIJFK TASK FORCE - [(y S"LEASE IN FULL eneiIEsicadeivos Je HELEASE IN PART | nesenape WTOP MATION CO TOTAL DENIAL : NATIONS oe sary Subject to Crim é inal Sanctions CIA HAS NO OBJECTION TO DECLASSIFICATION AMBVOR, DECLAgg! RELES SSOnRATIOY ow aAof aa, In) THIS cosine me, : Fo? Kbofpcl The “fe¢) a feo we eye HW 54653 DBocld:322027016 Page ?
MOVIMIENTO DEMOCRATICA CRISTIANO (MDC) Sr; Bny INTERNAL SECURLIY - CUBA #35) weasemenRemieisd Miami. United States Customs declined BATISTA': re- quest for the release of the above mentioned 23' motor boat. ~~ MM T-1, apg ne ie ee ig advised on July 29, 1962, that BATISTA FALLA is military head of one faction of che MDC, and had the authority of hia organization to cooperate and coordinate military acti- vities with Ccmandos L. MM T-2, a Cuban exile, advised on July 29, 1963, that Comandos L is a Cuban revolutionary organization headed by SANTIAGO ALVAREZ RODRIGUEZ. This organization has carried out military opérationa against Cuba, and after their last operation in March, 1963, United States Customs Agents in Miami, Florida, confiscated the organizaticn3 boat and military equipment. MM T-2 explained that BATISTA and ALVAREZ be- lieve that a unity between both organizations has a Number of benefits, especially since military equipment owned by each organization can be loaned back and forth as the reed arises. MM T-2 continued that BATISTA FALLA at that time was in Central America, contacting representatives of different Central American governments and important people for the purpose of determining what possibilities exist for the establishment of a unified Cuban exile e ? - os ‘ey te "ay ~~] toe =. ¢ ie t Oe wees = DoclId: 32207016 Page 3
MOVIMIENTO DEMOCRATA CRISTIANO (MDC) INTERNAL SECURITY - CUBA military actior group. BATISTA was expected to return to Miami, Fictrida, 24arly in Ausese, 196%, MM T-2 s2il BATISIA’s trip to Central America also served a3 4 check ch announcements made by former President of Nicaragua LUIS ‘SOMOZA, to the effect that Nicaragua would give militar help to the different militant Cuban anti-Communist Organizations. Cemandos L felt they can crust the judgement of BATIST;, and planned to later confer with him en his return to the United ‘States. It is noted that previous investigations has re- flected that former Nicaraguan Prezicent LUIS SOMOZA came to the United States in July, 1963, and talked individually and in group: £° various Cuban exile leaders in the Miami area. Also SOMOZA ~eportecly conferred with varisus officials of the United Stateg goverment in Washington, D.C. It was reported his conversations with the Cuban ment of a base of operaticns for these Cubans in Nicaragua or elsewhere in Central America, for préparations to over- throw the present government of Cuba. On August 13, 1963, LAUREANO BATISTA FALLA, 1300 S. Bayshore Drive, Miami, advised he continues 43 the military head of the MDC, and that a week previously he had been in Nicaragua on the invitation cf former Nicaraguan President LUIS SOMOZA. The purpose of BATISTA's visit to Nicaragua was to confer with SOMOZA concerning the Cuban situation, and the possibility of aid to the-Cuban ‘exiles ir ewerthresing the presint Cuban government. HW 54653 Docld:322027016 Page 4 om:
SSCi 56a if 374: .: MOVIMIENTO TEMOCRATICA CRISTIANO (MDC) INTERNAL SECURITY - CUBA 2 MSIE IAT ETE SL, He zaid in Nicaragya at the same time as he on the invitation of SOMOZA;,wére CARLOS PRIOSOCARRAS, former President of Cuba; MANI L/ARTIME. BUESA} cne*of the principal leaders of the Bay of ids invasion attempt in April, i961; and MANUEL ANTONIO NDEYVARONA, President of the Cuban Revo- lutionary Council (CRC), a unity group of anti-CASTRO organ- izations. These persons were interviewed separately by SOMOZA, but larer compared notes and found that SOMOZA discussed with each the same basic subject matter. SOMOZA disclosed he was favorable to the estab- lishment of one or more bases of operations for the Cuban anti-CASTRO exiles in Nicaragua, er fome other Central American country. SOMOZA indicated that Honduras, however, ‘was rather cool to the idea, would likely not cooperate, and that this was possibly due to the power of the Communist Party in Honduras. SOMOZA appeared anxious to get the views and cpinicns of BATISTA FALLA concerning the feasibility of such a plan. However, SOMOZA made no commitments, and did net disclrze the existence cf a firm plan of action or any specific agreement between Nicaragua ane other Central American countries or with the United States. He gave the impression to BATISTA FALLA he was attempting to lay a preliminary foundation for the establishment of such a base. SOMOZA told BATISTA he would call him in about thirty days for further discussions. _ BATISTA said.he also visited Costa Rica, and that he hopes to establish a base for clandestine cpera- tions againzt Cuba frem either Nicaragua or Costa Rica, or both, as circumstances permit. He saia nothing ce finite HW 54653 DBoclId:322027016 Page 5
SSCIBOX# 3779 -= MOVIMIENTO LEMOCRATICA CRISTIANO (MRC) INTERNAL SECURITY - CUBA BATISTA sontin with PRzo0 SOARRAS, PRIO disclossd that during his reo cent visit to the Dominican Republic, propr to the Nicaraguan trip, he had conferred with JUAN BOSCH, then President of tha Dominican Republic. PRIO urged BOSCH to help the Cuben exties establizh a military baze in the Dominican Republic, BOSCH refused and asked PRIO not to press him in this matter. BATISTA FALLA said PRIO and BOSCH are leng time friends, PRIO having helped BOscH financially when the latter was.a Dominican exile re3id- ing in Cuba. OS, Yon nf am MM T-3, another government agency which con- ducts intelligence investigations, adviesd on September 3, 1963, that agency had received the follewing informa- tion from @ Aa A aint aame as Sere, < af} vA _ a - A Log y As of early July, 1963, according to RODRIGUEZ MENENDEZ, an attorney and executive member of the MDC, the MDC had made a unity pact with Comandcs L. ceording ‘ to the pact, Comandos L were to contribute training and assistance in military intelligence and were to provide three naval units and one B-26 aircraft which the group already had in its peszession. The MDC was to contribute. three small boats and a team of men to be infilcrated into Cuba. The MDC was also involve d in unity negotiations with PRIO SOCARRAS, who would centribute $20,000 as HW 54653 DoclId: 3227027016 Page 6
MOVIMIENTO TEMOCRATICA CRISTIANO (MDC) INTERNAL SECURITY - CUBA He said in Nicaragua at the same time as he on the invitation of SOMOZA;,wére CARTOS\ PRIO.SOCARRAS, former President of Gzba; MANUZL/‘ARTIME,.2UESA> cne‘of the principal leaders of the Bay of ‘Zs invasion attempt in April, i961; and MANUEL ANTONIO NEYVARONA, President of the Cuban Revo- lutionary Council (CRC), a unity group of anti-CASTRO organ- izations. These persons were interviewed separately by SOMOZA, but larer compared notes and found that SOMOZA discussed with each the same basic subject matter. SOMOZA disclosed he was favorable to the estab- lishment of one or more bases of operations for the Cuban anti-CASTRO exiles in Nicaragua, or zome other Central American country. SOMOZA indicated that Honduras, however, ‘was rather cool to the idea, would likely not cooperate, and that this wag possibly due to the power of the Communist Party in Honduras. SOMOZA appeared anxious to get the views and cpinicns of BATISTA FALLA concerning the feasibility of such a plan. However, SOMOZA made no commitments, and did not disclrse the existence cf a firm plan. of action cr any specific agreement betweea Nicaragua anc other Centrai American countries or with the United States. He gave the impression to BATISTA FALLA he was attempting to lay a preliminary foundation for the establishment of guch a base. SOMOZA tcid BATISTA he would call him in about thirty days for further discussions. . . . BATISTA said. he also visited Costa Rica, and that he hopes to establish a base for clandestine cpera- tions againzt Cuba frem either Nicaragua or Costa Rica, or both, as circumstances permit. He saia nothing cefinite HW 54653 DoclId:322027016 Page 7
INTERNAL SECURITY - CUBA 2 Go) NED AN, MOVIMIENTO DEMOCRATICA CRISTIANO (MRC) 2 | had been accemplished up to this time, BATISTA sontinued th with PRz0 SOCARKAS, PRIO disel cent visit to che Deminican Re Nicaraguan trip, he had confer at in hie comverzeticns cssd that during his re- Public, progr to the red with JUAN BOSCH, then President of cha Dominican Republic, PRIO urged BOSCH to help the Cubsn extics establizh a military base in the Dominican Republic, BOSCH refused and asked PRIO not to press him in this matter, BAT ISTA FALLA said PRIO and BOSCH are leng time friends, PRIO having helped BoscH financially when the latter was.a Dominican exile res3id- ing in Cuba. 3, 1963, that agenc tion from qin As of early July, 1963, according to RODRIGUEZ MM T-3, another government agency which con- ducts intelligence investigations, advigzed on September y had received the following informa- < <4] MENENDEZ, an attcrney and executive member of the MDC, the MDC had made a unity pact with Comandes L. According to the pact, Comandos L were te centribute training and assistance in military intelligence and were to provide three naval units and one B-26 already had in its poszession. three small boats and a team of men to be infiltrated into Cuba. The MOC was also involved in unity negotiations with PRIO SOCARRA3, who would certribute $230,000 as HW 54653 Docld:322027016 Page 6 SSC! Box y 377 = ~@ £ aircraft which the group The MDC wae to contribute x: ee —_, i re eee — - Can re 4 ates:
HW 54653 _air raid agains: an oil refinery in the City of Havana, SSCI BOX # 577. MOVIMIENTIO FENGL2ATICA CRISTIANO (MDC) INTERNAL SECURITY - CUBA ki military aid to the MDC, which crganization in return would previdce political suppert to PRIO. The Mv was also negotiating a unity pact with the Students Revolutionary Directorate. the MOC siannec to buy a new boat with the money to be received from PRIO and planned to stage another Cuba. On September 26, 1963, MM T-3 advised that further information was obtained from RODRIGUEZ MENENDEZ to tha effeat that as of Seagtember 19, 1963, BATISTA FALLA, CARLOS ‘KEREZ ‘MENA and VICTOR\PANEQUE, MDC members, were a ae /: planning’ to leave for Puerto Rico on a misgion to obtain help to operate from some place near Cuba. They aiso wished to be able to use the AT-6 airplane they have in Caracas, Venezusla, for raids against Cuba. and fer trans- porting arms which they have in Venezuela. BATISTA was planning to buy the schooner PRIMAVERA, lovared in the Miaci River, at Miami, but as of September 19, 1963, had not been able to raise the money to purchaze the vessel. RODRIGUES gaid there wag great unrest ameng MDC members, which has been generated by the constant failures of BATISTA. For this reason certain MDC execu- tives have had strong words with BATISTA. DoclId: 3227027016 Page 9
SSC! E¢,, ; s «F / 7 - MOVIMIENTO DEMOSRATICA CRISTIANO (MDC) ! INTERNAL SECURITY - CUBA LUCAS FACTION Ve on Bes Ps ON July 17, \. 1963, advised that JOSE~FERNANDEZ: BADUE, also known as \(eats, continueaz to be the President of the MDC, which organization maintains headquarters at 2333 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami, and continues as a member organization of the Cuban Revolutionary Council (CRC). MM T+4 stated the MDC does not know if it should continue in the CRC bécauze of the inactivity of the CRC, and the great criticism of the CRC for having created the June 20, 1963 Cuban invasion hoax. — MM T-4 said the Lucas Faction has 15 men who were previously in the underground in Cuba, and now went to return to Cuba, and again operate in the under- ground. In additicn, there are sowe 30 members of the Lucas Faction in Miami who are willing and available to work against Communism in Cuba. The MDC requested this information be made known to the United States govern- ment, along with the MDC's being available for any United States government sponsored activity in the future. On July 31, 1963, FERMIN‘SLEITES, officer and member of the executive committee of the MDC, advised that on the previous day MIGUEL "CUCONLEON, former ; CRC delegate to Nicaragua, returned to witha = Nicaraguan military officer, name unknown, who visited MDC headquarters in Miami on July 29, 1963. The Gurnmie -7-. HW 54653 DBoclId:32207016 Page 10
HW 54653 = a SSCI BOX # 57, MOVIMIENTO DEMOCRATICA CRISTIANO (MDC) INTERNAL SECURITY - CUBA Nicaraguan claimed to be an army officer, and for years to have been an assistant to General ANASTACIO\ SOMOZA of Nicaragua. This army officer acted tough, aad left no doube he was a Nicaraguan military man. He offered to the MDC training camps, military equipment and military bases in Nicaragua, from which Cuba could be attacked. He did not indicate this plan had any Sancticn or support of United States military officials. This Nicaraguan claimed all expenses of moving MDC per- sonnel and other Cuban exiles to Nicaragua would be paid for, but the Cuban exiles would receive no salaries while in military training camps or while fighting in Cuba. The Nicaraguan explained there are no Cubans training in Nicaragua but that he had recently spoke to ARTIME BUESA and BATISTA FALLA in Nicaragua concerning this plan. - . On August 13, 1963, MM T-4 advised that the plan for MDC members to go to Nicaragua never materialized and at the present time the MDC maintains no military train- ing camps and does not participate in any military acti- vities. MM T-5, a member of the CRC; advised the CRC continues to exist and the MDC faction of LUCAS continues to belong to the CRC. MM T-5 explained that since the CRC and the MDC have not received any United States govern- ment subsidies since April, 1963, the CRC and MBC have had no significant activity; barely continued to exist; can hardly maintain operating expenses; are in debt’ and the future is uncertain. DoclId: 3227027016 Page i1 a ee sor el IRE an sat iene, Fee cea tee Ne ellen te oe
ae 3 MOVIMIENTO DEMOCRATICA CRISTIANO (MDC) INTERNAL SECURITY - CUBA 7 yay! totter + MM T-5 explained that the Lucas faction of the MDC is barely able to maintain its office; engages in no publicity or propaganda, and is relatively inactive. This document contains neither recommendations nor con- clusions ef the FBI, It is the praperty of the FBI and is loaned to your agency; it and its contents are not to be distributed outside your agency. DoclId:322027016- Page 12 - — +a ne denen ee woke. .sSELI 2 2 Aen...
HW 54653 UNITF STATES DEPARTMENT OF . STICE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION n . efer to . 163 iy, j = tn Renly Please Ref | oct 16 SSCi BOA it 3743 <Q Miami, Florida MOVIMIENTO DEMOCRATICA CRISTIANO (MDC) INTERNAL SECURITY - CUBA Re ference memorandum dated and captioned as above, All sources whose identities are concealed in referenced‘ communication have furnished reliable informa- tion in the past. . _This document contains neither recommendations nor con- clusions of the FBI. It is the property of the FBI and is loaned to your. agency; it and its contents are not ta. be distributed outside your agency. DoclId: 322027016 Page 153 a ns