Summary of Deposition Victor Espinosa Page Three B. 1959-1963 Under the sponsorship of McLaney, Espinosa left Cuba in 1959 for Miami. While he may have initially stayed at McLaney's home, he soon began living with his family in Miami. It is not known why Espinosa moved to New York in 1960, but his return to Miami later in 1960 was occasioned | by his desire to join his former colleagues in training for the Bay of Pigs invasion. (pp. 9-12) Espinosa left the "employ" of the CIA in August of 1961* (See Section III, p. 4); he returned to Miami. In June of 1963 Espinosa was detained by FBI and Customs agents in Miami for an attempted bombing raid on Cuba. - According to Espinosa, McLaney sponsored Espinosa and a few of his associates in a plan to bomb the Shell Oil refineries in Havana. In this group were Sam Benton, Carlos Hernandez Sanchez, John Koch Gene, Acleo Pedrosa Amores, Miguel Al- varez and Richard Albert Lauchli. Benton procured an air- plane, Espinosa the explosives from Lauchli, and McLaney supplied the financing. (pp. 16-22) An informant within the group alerted the FBI which was waiting with Customs. officials as the group rendezvoused for the mission. When this mission failed, another one was immediately put into operation. The oil refineries were again the targets, but the plan was to leave from a deserted airstrip in the vicinity of Lake Ponchartrain, Louisiana, using either a B-25 or a B-26 bomber, fully operational. Again Espinosa ‘planned the operation and secured the explosives through Lauchli. This time, McLaney was to provide the airplane, and only inform the group of its location once the bombs were ready for loading. (pp. 23-29, 91, 92) As was the case for the June 15th mission, this one was also a failure. One member of the group was recalled to Miami due to a death in the family, the remaining members, feeling this would breach their security, disbanded, re- turning to Miami with Espinosa going to New York to report to Mike McLaney. On July 31, 1963, the FBI discovered the cache of explosives to be used on the mission at a farm house at Lake Ponchartrain owned by Mike McLaney's brother Bill, and confiscated the entire supply. (pp. 28, 29) Espinosa remained in New York until approximately 1967, when he moved to France. He remained there until 1969, HW [53080 Docld: 32248213 Page 7
Summary of Deposition Victor Espinosa Page Four then went into business in Spain and England. He stated he has had no contact with McLaney since 1965, his last anti- Castro involvement with McLaney being the aborted July 1963 raid on the oil refineries in Havana. (p. 29) IIl. -Espinosa's Contact With the CIA During his anti-Batista activity in Cuba from 1954 through 1959, Espinosa was aware that certain persons in his "group" had some contact with the American Embassy in Havana, and that a number of individuals working in Castro's or- ganization had similar contacts with the CIA. Espinosa had no contact with the CIA until he reached Miami in 1959 and joined the Bay of Pigs training force. Espinosa was made aware of training being conducted to invade Cuba upon his arrival. He left word with friends to keep him informed and went to New York to work. A short while later he was contacted, and immediately returned to enlist. Espinosa was sent to Guatemala in June or July of -1960 to begin the training. (pp. 10, 11) ; In Guatemala and later Panama and New Orleans, Espinosa was trained in conventional military warfare, guerrilla warfare, explosives and clandestine operations. As a result of this training, Espinosa did partici- pate in various raids into Cuba, some of which were aimed at the destruction of military targets, others with.the purpose of gathering information and bringing individuals out. These activities began before the Bay of Pigs invasion and. continued through the following summer of 1961. (pp. 14-16) *(It should be noted that Espinosa stated that he was able to obtain from a friend in the government his file which details each of these operations and the participants; however, in our review of files on Espinosa, we find records showing that Espinosa was terminated from involvement in March of 1961 and taken off the payroll.) Iv. Espinosa's Involvement With the AMLASH Operation Espinosa's activities with the CIA ceased as of late summer 1961. (p. 62) In approximately June of 1965, while Hw 53080 DocId:32248213 Page 8
Summary of Deposition Victor Espinosa Page Five on a pleasure excursion to Paris from his residence in New York, Espinosa contacted an old acquaintance, Jose Trasancos who was at the time working for the Cuban Consulate in Paris, having been in a position there since approximately 1962 or 1963. Trasancos spoke of having seen Cubela in Paris and “something was going on...Rolando (Cubela) is involved with the CIA and there is something happening." (p. 63) Tras= ancos wanted Espinosa to get the complete story from George Robreno, a former member of the Student Revolu- tionary Movement in Havana, and long-time friend of Cubela. Robreno at one time had been with the Castro government as the head of the. revolutionary tribunals which carried out many death sentences. (p. 64) Originally, Espinosa intended to meet with Robreno in Madrid, but after encountering difficulties obtaining a visa, was forced at his own expense to send Robreno an airline ticket for Paris. (p. 65) — In Paris, Robreno told Espinosa that Cubela had been talking with certain CIA people about an uprising in Cuba against Castro that was to be led by Cubela and others of- ficials in the government and the army. Cubela had been in contact with an individual named Williamson who was the ~ head of the CIA in Spain. Cubela was most concerned about Williamson's trustworthiness, expressing as a basis, Wil- liamson's apparent alcoholism.and the fact that he had had as a mistress a Cuban female who had taken certain important documents from Williamson's apartment to Castro. Cubela had. wanted his old associate Espinosa to contact his "CIA colleagues", still believing Espinosa was with the CIA, Espinosa was to explain Cubela's position to them viz-a-viz Cubela's contact with Williamson. In addition.to this con- versation with Robreno, Espinosa met with (Alberto) Blanco, - +, "El Loco", also -involved in the plotwith Cubela.: Blanco,:en , ~~ route to Cuba from Russia via Czechoslovakia, mentioned the presence of Russian technicians in Cuba, stating that he wanted the CIA to know that if they were thinking of. double- --erossing Cubela, "They (Cubela and his associates in the plot) would take care of these Russian technicians". (pp. 67, 68) It was Espinosa's understanding that Cubela had come to Madrid sometime earlier to meet with Artime and William- son. According to Robreno, Artime was soliciting Cubela's aid in a different coup. Cubela could not trust Artime, feeling he was working both sides with the CIA and Castro. - Espinosa returned to New York the week following his meeting with Robreno in Paris and went directly to
Summary of Deposition Victor Espinosa Page Six Cavasantos of Immigration and Naturalization to be put in contact with someone in the CIA. Cavasantos sent Espinosa -to the FBI in New York, where they were joined by someone from the CIA, whom Espinosa felt was aware of the individuals mentioned in the AMLASH operation. (pp. 70-72, 76) Espinosa related Cubela's message and was told he would be contacted within a few days. (p. 73) After two weeks, Espinosa con- tacted a friend who worked for Senator Javits who arranged for a meeting in Washington with a State Department official involved with Cuban affairs. Feeling that he had done all he could do, Espinosa returned to New York, where he worked for the next two years before moving to France and Spain. (pp. 77, 78) Sometime later, Espinosa learned of Cubela's arrest and imprisonment in Cuba and was most surprised that Cubela was not executed. (p. 79) Vv. Individuals of Interest Known to Espinosa A. Norman Rothman: Espinosa met Rothman in Havana sometime in the late 1950's, possibly in the casino at the Hotel Nacional, and later in approximately 1960 or 1961 in ‘Miami at the Biltmore Hotel. Espinosa was a social acquaintance of "Cappy" Rothman, Norman's son, in Miami from approximately 1960- 1963. (pp. 31, 32, 98-101) B. Meyer Lansky: While Espinosa did not know ‘Meyer Lansky, he did see him at the Rivera Casino in Havana. (p. 97) Cc. Raphael Garcia Bongo: Trafficante's attorney. Espinosa knew Jorta Bongo, the brother of Raphael, and through him met Raphael. While not first-hand, it was common knowledge that Raphael was Trafficante's attorney in Cuba. | -Approximately five years ago, Espinosa learned: that Raphael had been arrested in Spain for passing counterfeit money. Espinosa heard that the counterfeit money was linked to Trafficante. (pp. 103-105) D. Sam Benton: Knew him through McLaney. Benton was supplier for the aircraft used on the two aborted oil refinery raids in 1963. (pp. 18, 19, 23, 93) E. Raul Castro: . Espinosa met Raul on two occasions _in Havana soon after Castro's takeover. Espinosa was present in Cubela's hospital room when Raul Castro visited Cubela. (pp. 55) HW (53060 Docld:322746213 Page 10
Summary of Deposition Victor Espinosa Page Seven F. Jerry Patrick Hemming: Met him on a few occasions. Hemming was always trying to get involved in exile activities. The general opinion among Espinosa's associates was that Hemming was not to be trusted. G. Rolando Cubela: (AMLASH) Long and involved friendship. HW (53080 Docld:32248213 Page 11
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1 EXECUTIVE SESSION 2 3 DEPOSITION OF VICTORS ESPINOSA SB | WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7, 1978 7 - House of Representatives, . 8 President John F. “Kennedy. ; Subcommittee” of the. Select ) Committee on Assassinations, 10” . Washington, Dec. ot The deposition of Victorgs Espinosa was taken at. 4 8: 4O p.m., in the office of the Select Committee on me 13. Assassinations in’ Room 3370 of the office of | “the. Committee, ee 14 Second and D Streets, S.W., in Washington, D. C. 18 - Present: Jonathan Blackmer and John ‘Hornbeck; »Counsel to - 16-the Select Committee. a 497 - Present also: Nfs. Elizabeth Berningy. chief Clerk to) the 18 Sélect Committee. "21 _ a as) 25 i he \, ce : ALDERSON REPORTING COMPANY, INC, HW 53080 Docla: 32248213 | - Page 1300.7th STREET, SW. "REPORTERS BUILDING, WASHINGTON, 0. C. 20024 (202) 564-2345
10. 47 AB 23 committee, to further ask questions of the: witnésss) 00 Whereupon, aan VICTORGS ESPINOSA having been duly sworn by the Chief Clerk to the Select Committee, ‘was examined under the rules of the: Select. “Committee and testified as follows: Mr. Blackmer. We.are present in the Select Committee's | offices to depose you. My name is Jonathan: Blackmer| ‘and I-am ‘an- attorney with the Select Committee on Assassinations. By virtue of Rule 4 of House Resolution. 222, Tam. im-- powered to take statements under oath. shortly, Mee John ; Hornbeck will join us, who is cae senior. “staff counsel on- this. What is your full name, Sir? “Mr. Espinosa. Victores Espinosa. Mr. Blackmer. And you are here for the. purpose of giving a voluntary Statement before this committee? . Mr, Espinosa. Yes. | 7 Mr. Blackmer. I have given you a copy of the committee: me weed rules, House Resolution 222, 460 and 760. You are not" “under subpoena, are-you? oa Mr. Espinosa. No. Mr. Blackmer. You are here voluntarily: °. Mr. Espinosa. Yes. Mr. Blackmer. You have the right to have: ‘counsel. present if you wish. There — is no counsel here and I assume. that is? of " ALDERSON: REPORTING COMPANY, INC, \ aw 59080 Docld: 32248213 “Page 14, 7th’ STREET. SW: REPORTERS BUILDING, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20024 (202) 554-2345 -
1 your own choice. Mr, Espinosa. T don't see it is necessary, anyway. Mr. Blackmer. The entire record of this deposition wil 4° be transcribed. We will send you, a copy for you. to “read, aif pad RETVRM fo a Select Comm He€ 8 verify} after which we will send you your own. personal copy. 6 Should you wish to make any. changes in the- substance of the Ty yer | 7 transcript, nag abo be done before a federal’ magistrates I know you are residing in. London and if at ‘is necessary ott . 9-to make any changes, if you feel. corrections are: necessary, “ts 10 you would please call us, we will try to make arrangements 4 over tnere for that to be done. 12 I would like to begin the questioning -w with: a ‘Little pack= O us . 13-ground., You were born in Cuba, is that correct? _ : ! ag Mr. Espinosa. That is right. 15 Mr. Blackmer. And you resided there until when? 16 “Mr. Espinosa. Until 1959. 7 Mr. Blackmer. And at that time you camé to the United 18 States. con “49, | Mr. Espinosa. Yes.. 20: Mr. Blackmer. Approximatély in 1957 or 1958, were you a 21 student at the University of Havana. , 22 Mr. Espinosa. Yes, I was. 23 ‘Mr. Blackmer. And as a student at the University.of e v.24 Havana, were you engaged in any underground activities with | 25 either anti-Batista or later anti-Castro? HW 53080 “pocla:32248213__ _ALDERSON: REPORTING COMPANY, INC, Page Uy: 7th STREET, S. Ww. REPORTERS BUILDING, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20024 (202) 554. 2345
1 Mr. Espinosa. Yes, both. 2 Mr. Blackmer. And could you tell us the nature of the - 3 activities which were: directed against the Batista regime? a _ Mr. Espinosa. Wel, different kinds of clandestine 8 activities. oS 6 oo “Mr. Blackmer. Would that be in the nature ‘of ‘raiging . 7 explosives or arms for paramilitary use? a 8 Mr. Espinosa. Yes, mainly. 9 Mr. Blackmer. Were you involved in any individual sabo- ~-10.tage operations? SS 11 - Mr. Espinosa. Yes. 42 Mr. Blackmer. What. specific activities were those? Was. (13 there anything that comes to mind? 4 Mr Espinosa. No, not really. 45 Mr. Blackmer. Was it aimed at the economy more than “16 individual members of the Batista regime? _ ‘47 Mr. Espinosa. Not so much the economy, but at an - 18 individual member. a 19 Mr. Blackmer.~ High level officials? 20 Mr. Espinosa. Yes. a) these anti-Batista activities? | a a a 24 Mr. Espinosa. No. 25 Mr. Blackmer. Who were you working with?> role " ALDERSON REPORTING COMPANY, INC, HW 53080 DocId: 32248213 | “Page 6). 7th STREET, $.W. REPORTERS BUILDING: WASHINGTON, D.C. 20024 (202) 554-2345
e) oe 1 Mr. Espinosa. With students, the Revolutionary council | 2 of the University of Havana. / QO 7 23 Mr. Blackmer. Who are the particular leaders? . or “Mr. Espinosa. There was Echverrea.(fehevernia) og . Mr. Blackmer. Do you have a first name? if | _ 6 Mr. Espinosa... nOses antonio, and cubela, Porton Chaumofl - 7 and a few others. 8 Mr. Blackmer. How were your activities financed? we 9 Mr. Espinosa. Mainly by ‘bonds. that were being Sold to 10 Sympathizers of the revolutionary party. 1 Mr. Blackmer. Were there any large contributors. that you 12 can think of? | . oan oe O a8 . Mr. Espinosa. I am sure there were, but not~that Thad a any knowledge of. yank? fomly. bye | ' — 18 7, Mr. Blackmer. Trey etembonibranener Landowners, ‘were “46 they not, in Cuba? “a7 Mr. Espinosa. Yes. 618 a Mr. Blackmer. And were they part of the upper class? 19) Mr. Espinosa. Yes. | 20 Mr. Blackmer. UP ‘21 activities? - : : ay) Mr. Espinosa. Not that I know of. - Ss ae 23: “Mr. Blackmer. Could you tell us when you first met | 9 OO 24 Rolando Cubela, 25 Mr. Espinosa. It was a long time ago. We were children... Me : . . gee _ ALDERSON REPORTING: COMPANY, INC, “AW 53080 Docld:32248213 _ Page i7 soos . : AAS Teh eTreer. a \Al REDNATERS Ro AING WASHINGTON TDC 2N094 . (909) BRA2245
“pw 53080 1 and he used to go to school in the same town in which Iwas: 2 born in Cuba. 3 Mr. Blackmer. So you had known him many years before 4 your activities started. 5 a Mr. Espinosa. Yes. 6 _ Mr. Blackmer. “At the University? eal 7 Mr. Espinosa. Yes. eS 8 _ Mr. Blackmer. Who were. some of his associates in the g underground activities? 10 Mr. Espinosa. For example, one Cubela and” Machado. 4 Mr. Blackmer. Do you have the first. cnames? 42 Mr. Espinosa. I cannot remember the ‘first “hanes because 13 we used to call him "Machaletto" and Joe Westbrook. 14 | ; Mr. Blacxmer. Is that an American? 4g a -Mr. Espinosa. No, he was a Cuban. 1 aM Bhee ker eWeSEURSORD | . 18 Me Blackmer. do you know what any of these individuals 19 are doing now! : = / on : 20 Mr. Espinosa. They are dead. a es | ydwidvals _ . 21 Mr. Blackmer. Are any of these beopte now with the pert ee 2 Castro government? ae | einen 23 Mr. Espinosa. I think Chaumon is with the Castro. a ° 24 government, and I think Raminda--and it has been sO many 28 years-~and Naranjo and the rest of the people I mentioned DocIa: ALDERSON REPORTING COMPANY; INC, 32248213 Page ‘ig; 7th STREET. S. W. REPORTERS BUILDING. WASHINGTON. D. C. 20024 (202) 5d. 2345 °
1 there are dead. 2 - Blackmer. When did your interest change from (being. . SS eetacs Batista to Pos castre? . 4 7 Mr. Espinosa. .I was never pro-Castro; being against "5, Batista does not mean. you. are pro-Castro. I ‘think: very. - 6 shortly after Castro took over I began to be anti- ‘aster - 7 Mr. Blackmer. did-youTknow-amyngood-sbout-eastrebefore 8 he took-ever? “Did you. ever meet Frasme?- Castres ? ; | 9. Mr. Espinosa. Now 10 Mr. Blackmer. Do: you know of any people who were closely ‘11 associated with him? nar = | 12 Mr. Espinosa. Only one person. O 13 “Mr. Blackmer, And that was whom? 4g Mr, Espinosa. That was. Jose Smith, cand: he ‘landed in. Cuba 1§ when Castro landed and he was killed at that. time. “That is 46. the | only person whom I knew was close to him. a Mr. Blackmer.- When Castro landed in cuba,’ vas tl that. in sige Mr. -Espinosa. Yes, 1956 « 29 Mr. Blackmer. So your activities began- approximately in 59 Mr. Espinosa. No, I would say 1955. . 7 bg Mr. Blackmer. During this period of time, did -you’know. “34 Pedro Deastes? Diaz LANz2. og Mr. Espinosa. No, I did not. oe . woe ee : ALDERSON REPORTING COMPANY, INC, HW 53080 Docla: 32248213 Page 413 aan TH ‘eTpcer c var” RcoNRTeRc Ai Mm nina WASHINGATAN. ne onnea 1909) BRA.72AGR
O.. ‘4 Mr. Blackmer. Have you subsequently known about’ Pedro es 2 Beaste os? piaz Lanz ! ae _ 63 | Mr. Espinosa. Yes. ~ 4 Mr. Blackmer. Did you have any personal knowledge of Sg him? : oe 6 | Mr. Espinosa. What do you mean by "personal knowledge?" 7 Mr. Blackmer. Did you ever have any contact with: him? . o 8. Mr. Espinosa. Yes, IT did. . 9 Mr. Blackmer. And what period of time was that? “40 . Mr. Espinosa. ‘It was, I would say, -in 1959 and 1960. in 41 Miami. | a a 42, “Mr. Blackmer. Do you recall who he Was with when you: Saw: O ke 4g him? : Ce ee ee eee ae Mr. Espinosa. No, I do. not recall really, and I only met 45 him once or twice. Sr 16. - Mr. Blackmer. Do- you know an individual: by ‘the name of 47°Frank Sturgis? 78. . Mr. Espinosa. “Yes. “2 19 ‘Mr. Blacker. Where did you meet this individual? “29 Mr. Espinosa. In Miami. 2 Mr. Blackmer. In what time? 22 Mr. Espinosa. 1959 or 1960. bing Lanz eee _ pas Mr. Blackmer. Was he with BeaSIos when: you met. Chine v 24 | Mr. Espinosa. I can't recall. - - oe - | are ee Mr. Blackmer. When you were ing. ecw ios re ALDERSON REPORTING COMPANY, INC, oS OHW 53080 Docld:32246213. Page. 20° Fak OTA ET FAL ORR ATR Re Ri RIKER LALA IRIE AL ROR Rann ann fea Aaar
9 1 1959, did you remember frequenting the Hotel Nacional. 2 Mr. Espinosa. Yes, I did. . 3 le Mr. Blackmer. Did you know an individual there by. the at name of Michael McLaney? | ae 5. Mr. Espinosa. Yes. 6 Mr. Blackmer. - Would you explain how you first. met ur, 7 MeLaney and the nature of: your. relationship? . a: ) Mr. Espinosa. I: met. him first because the manager of the 9 hotel, the social manager of ‘the hotel was a friend of mine. rar, | Mr. Blackmer:. “And his name was what? ar Wo Mr. Espinosa, It was callejas, and- he subsequently a 12 introduced me to Bill McLaney who ultimately. introduced ne to 13 Mike MeLaney. “ota Mrs Blackmer. And what. was the nature of your =>: 0 45 relationship? 46 Mr. Espinosa. It was just social in Cuba. 47 Mr. Blackmer. Did you ZO out with them to dinner? ag Mr. Espinosa. ‘Yes, sometimes. - 19 Mr. Blackmer. Were either of tne MeLaney brothers "99 involved in any clandestine activities against. either Batista 2h or Castro to your knowledge at that time? "99 Mr. Espinosa. Not that I know of. | 93 . Mr. Blackmer. rer You came to the united: states; ; you a QO Sg say you—eamre~ in December of 1959. Ne log Mr. Espinosa. Yes, I think so. “ALDERSON REPORTING. COMPANY, INC, 33080 . Dostd: 32248213 © Page a Tth STREET ¢ we REPOATERS: Riu NING WASHINGTON ae 2nn04 (2091 BAA FAR
1 Mr. Blackmer. Were you sponsored” by Mike MeLaney? 2 Mr. Espinosa. Yes, I was. 3 Mr. Blackmer. And did. he help you in getting over here. 4 financially? og Mr. Espinosa. No. “6 "Mr. Blackmer. Were you trained oy the central. _.7 ‘Intelligence Agency in “any. clandestine paramilitary training 8 of any kind? 9 Mr. Espinosa. Yes, I believe it was hens ~~ ~ 10. Mr. Blackmer. I-witirephrase thet “Could. “you tell us. _ nM your: first contact with the Central Intelligence Agency. and. | 42. your role in the Cuban exile movement prior. to the Bay of Pigs Oe the United States? | | | | ag Mr. Espinosa. Well, I heard when I came’ e to ‘the States: - 15 they were forming ‘some kind of a brigade or. “sometting to . 16 invade Cuba and I told different. friends of mine. in. Miami to) “47. let me know when. the thing was. happening. I went: ba. New York 4g. to work and they contacted me at one point, and they, were. “49 recruiting people to take part in this activity and I-went 20° back to Miami and I-enlisted myself. ot i Mr. Blackmer. Could you tell us who it. was: that. a 99> contacted you? . . 93. Mr. Espinosa. I think it was. ME RIO Jimenez.” a “24s Mr. Blackmer. He contacted you and came. back bo Miami: 98 and where did you go to enlist? Po, , me ~ ALDERSON, REPORTING COMPANY, INC, Ei 53060 ‘Docla: 32248213 Page. 22: 7 " MAR GL ATR OAL DEDNOTENE ALI AING WASHINGTON 5 conned ion) 554-2345
— HW 53080 25 Docld: 32248213 Mr. Espinosa. 491 I went to one of the enlisting houses, and I think there was one house where you go-over there and enlist. Mr. that house, Mr. Mr. Blackmer. Espinosa. Blackmer. Howard Hunt? Mr. Mr. Mr. Mrs Espinosa. Blackmer. Espinosa. Blackmer. | who was And do you recall any particular$ about running it and who was there? | No. Do you know an individual by the name of Well, I have heard about him. ~Have you seen photographs: of him? Yes. Was this individual involved in ‘any. of this early contact you had with the Central Intelligence Agency? Mr.. Mr. you then Mr. Mr. when? Mr. Mr. Mr. would say it was the toward the end of 1960, Espinosa. Blackmer. sent? Espinosa. Blackmer. Espinosa. Blackmer. beginning of 1960? Espinosa. I don't know. After you-enlisted in Miami, where were I was sent to Guatemala. And this would have been approximately This would nave been approximately: -<~ Could it possibly have been in, the. No, it was not the beginning of 1960. I ‘the third quarter ALDERSON REPORTING. COMPANY; INC, . Page. 23, 7th. STREET. s. W. REPORTERS BUILDING, WASHINGTON, D. Cc. 20024: (202) 364- 2345
12° 1 of 1960. It was June or July, approximately. 2 Mr. Blackmer. Did you first go to Panama or First to '.3 Guatemala? | i 4 Mr. Espinosa. I went to Guatemala and then’ Went. to.” 5 Panama. | | mg 7 10 41 12 . 13 14 2 20 Om on . _ALDERSON REPORTING COMPANY, INC,.. HW 53080 ‘Docla: 32248213 Page 2 7 7th STREET, ’$:W. REPORTERS BUILDING,.WASHINGTON,”D:C. 20024 (202) 564-2348”
13 i Mr. Blackmer. What type of activities were you: trained 22 in? 3 Mr. Espinosa. Just general activities, general, 4. conventional military warfare and guerrilla warfare. and .o..§ training in explosives and munitions and clandestine | Corganization’ et: cetera. . _ heck Ye te pen ee a ex 7 Mr. Blackmer. Do you recall ee ew the people who. 8 trained you? Were they [Amer teans? | 9 Mr. Espinosa. Yes, there were some Americans, and -some 10 -—Europeans too, | a 11 Mr. Blackmer. . Do you recall the eee 42 individuals? . | | oe coe 13 _ Mr. Espinosa. I cannot recall the names. L know, one’ ’ “14 person, an American of Philippine origin, and He. was’ known, to 15 usS as Colonel Vallejo. 16 Mr. Blackmer. During this training, did you know an 17 individual by the name of Carlos Hernandez? ag Mr. Espinosa.» Yes, I did. ag Mr. Blackmer. Was ‘there an individual by the name of “39 John Oh Se volved with you? ag . Mr. Espinosa. I do not recall that name. eS og Mr. Blackmer. How about Acelo pearo MES. os ar Mr. Espinosa. No. Simuine : 984 Mr. Blackmer. How about sigue) Alverezcieeganes® 25. - Mr. Espinosa. Yes. . Lye 8 whee ee _ALDERSON REPORTING COMPANY, INC, Hi 53080. Docld: 32248213" Page a5 Ran wo CAR Ree A Re RAR RRA “la moa ea ara ena POR ARRAS AAR eed nA
@) Sg Mr. Blackmer. Is this the same man who contacted you! or Min DImine Z a a 24 different HeERaire’s ? Simines. CO) 3 Mr. Espinosa. This is a different Hermates . 4 Mr. Blackmer. Any relation to Mario? : 5 Mr. Espinosa. No. 6 Mr. Blackmer. Was there anyone else that you laterNhad 7 acquaintances with that you trained with? 8 . Mr... Espinosa. There were a dozen; there: were many. . 9 Mr. Blackmer. Did you ever go in any. infiltration ‘raids 10 into Cuba’ as part of ‘this? 4 Mr. Espinosa. Yes. R a Mr. Blackmer. Can you recall any of the, specific details O | hag of any of the particular raids? ; | oe 14 Mr. Espinosa. Yes. One time we went to. a réid about: 20, 15 Kilometers in Havana and we were supposed. to: knock out. ‘this “16 Navy installation. somewhere, and all of the raids were a 47 different nature, like if we went into the country, sand - 48) getting information of the country and bringing people Sub of. 4g the counntry. 20 Mr. Blackmer. Do you: recall any specific. individuals “so, that you went on these raids with? 5 2 Mr. Espinosa. Yes, I recall a few. 93 | Mr. Blackmer. Could you give us their. names? oS O oe | oh Mr. Espinosa. Miguel Alvarez; Calcie Nundez: was soother, “95 and Frank--and I can't remember Frank's last. name. =: te O. ae : — £ Faawk ieedoedvoo] ~ aa es Ree pr dO- - 7 i ee oT , : ALDERSON REPORTING COMPANY, INC, HW 53080 DocId:32248213.. Page. 26 rere) “Fein eroce?T” a \Al peonetepe DIG MIM AFA CUIAICS TON OC oanoa: 19A71 RRA. LOA
15 1 Mr. Blackmer. Was he American? aA ae eee | grate 9 ‘2 Mr. Espinosa. No, Cuban. It was Weorte, and fe can" te 3 remember his first name. ce 4 Mr. Blackmer. Approximately when were these ‘raids, 25 before or after the Bay of Pigs? . 6 Mr..Espinosa. They-were before and after the Bay of 7 Pigs. . 8 Mr. Blackmer. °How many. raids did you go on after the Bay 9 of Pigs? | | | oe | 10 Mr.. Espinosa. ‘After the Bay of Pigs, I think I went in 44 two or three times. | ; oe 7 42 = Mr Blackmer. | And do you recall the last raid that you uo _.. 13-went on that. was sponsored by the CIA, approximately -what, date 44° that was? | a » 18 Mr. Espinosa. Possibly it was four or five» months after 16 the invasion. “47 Mr... Blackmer. Sometime in the summer of 19612 5. 18 Mr. Espinosa. Yes. - 19 . Mr. Blackmer. Were you involved in the Bay of Pigs ' 20: invasion itself? an ' Mr, Espinosa. Not directly. “99... Mr, Blackmer. Were you infiltrated into Cuba before thé | 93 Bay of Pigs? “94 a Mr. Espinosa. I was being infiltrated ‘at: the same time. - 95 that the Bay of Pigs was taking place, and we were: ordered’ to ea SO oe ALDERSON REPORTING COMPANY, INC, HW 53080 DocId:32248213.. Page 27. : SAN Fe wR OroccT. cla bconpTeoc ot HIE AIA \ADA QUINT AM nN rc anno fon ‘RRA Ak
42 18 19 21 23 » 24 Ou 16 go back to Miami and then when we got back to Mian, we found out that they had landed. | | ces a Mr. Blackmer. Did they then try to send you. back? ee Mr. Espinosa. ‘There was a little hustle at. ‘that! ‘tie, ” everything was very much in the air and we were on stand-by but we were not sent back. Mr. Blackmer. Do you, recall whether or not any. members of Customs or. Immigration cin the Miami area. were, made aware: of ig oe any of your particular raids So as not to Le “Mr. Espinosa. Would you rephrase that “agad a? of “Mr. Blackmer.. The various raids that you: went. ony I assume many of them were from ‘the Miami area. Mr. Espinosa. They were from the Keys; don’ tauieea te west. Mr. Blackmer. Were you aware of any monitoring: by. Customs or Immigration officials of the United! ‘states: Govern- ment? Mr, Espinosa. Would--what do you mean by "monitoring?” hla OB-CMAILY) Mr. Blackmer. Tie are’ charged with the responsibility... VAL Of, enforcing neutrality actse and Ehey try to limit any” hostile “acts emanating from this country. Were you aware. that” ‘they. operations - were told specifically about your om antrathens: “so that. they did not stop you? Mr. Espinosa. No. Mr. Blackmer. Were you ever stopped?" __ALOERSON REPORTING COMPANY, ING, HW 53080 DocId:32248213, ‘Page 2A rih:s STREET, S.W. REPORTERS BUILDING, WASHINGTON; D.C. 20024 (202) 554-2348.
23 HW 53080. Docta: 32248213, Page. ‘29. i Mr. Espinosa. Yes, I was stopped. . Mr. Blackmer. While you were working for the CIA? Be Mr. Espinosa. No, never. | ae Mr. Blackmer. when were you Stopped? Nr. Espinosa.” After I stopped activities with the: CIA. Mr. Blackmer. . Approximately wnen was this? Mr. Espinosa. One time was in June of 1963. Mr. Blackmer. That was in Miami? - wha Mr. Espinosa. Yes, in Miami, and I. had. ‘been, served by Customs agents two. different times and I dont te ‘kriow the legal ‘name for it, notification. If I was caught. in: a *eoat or. in a plane or trying to go somwhere, related to- any kind of: -anti- Castro activity, I will get five years in gail or 85, 000 fine-or 10-years in jail. Mr. Blackmer. You were in fact stopped” once. “on. y June 19637 ae a Mr. Espinosa. Yes: Mr. Blackmer. Were you subsequently fined or any charges. brought against you? : a . Mr. Espinosa. No. I was taken to a prison and anyway I~ was released the next day. st et ia '- Mr. Blackmer. Let us, if we can, deal with: that incide nt. specifically. Our records indicate that on June oe of” 19635 outside of Miami, you and four other individuals were stopped. by’ Customs and FBI agents with a twin- -engine ‘beach craft, : - ALDERSON REPORTING: COMPANY, INC, - .
18 1 airplane that you were attempting to load with explosives, sj Be aed NO bomes £95 your intended mission, which was to bomb ane oil '3 refinery in Havana. 4 Could you tell us whose idea that soutien cas -5 from? oe 6 Mr. Espinosa. From me. 7 Mr. Blackmer. It was your idea? 8 Mr. Espinosa. Yes. 9 Mr. Blackmer. Did you get any assistance from any other 10 individual for the raid? 11 ‘Mr. Espinosa. -Yes, I got assistance from. Carlos De . Heewmandez 12 Hermares, from Miguel Alvarez and that is the other. kind of 13 assistance you are asking for? oO oe 14 Mr. Blackmer. Financial or other? 15 Mr. Espinosa. Financial .assistance from. MeLaney.,’ 16 Mr. Blackmer. How much money did McLaney give you for 17 this project? 18 Mr. Espinosa. I cannot recall. He gave us whatever we 19 needed to buy the explosives and so on. 99 Mr. Blackmer. Who got the airplanes? 21 | Mr. Espinosa. It was Sam Benton. 22 Mr. Blackmer. And how did you know Sam Benton? . a oo ; 23 Mr. Espinosa. I met him at McLaney's house. several. = en 24 times. | | | 25 . Mr. Blackmer. How was he introduced? _ALDERSON REPORTING COMPANY, INC, HW 53080 Docld:32248213 Page. 367th STREET, S. Ww. REPORTERS BUILDING, ‘WASHINGTON; ‘De: 20024':(202) 554-2348
10 - 11 14 45 16 - 20 23, 25 ‘HW.53080 DocId:32248213° Page 31. 19 . Mr. Espinosa. You mean in what --- Mr, Blackmer, «hat you understood to be Hus particular role. - - Mr. Espinosa. He was like a friend of mine and a friend of Mike's and I guess Mike wanted him to front for him of be the one who got the airplane. | Mr. Blackmer. Did he have any specific knowledge of planes or munitions or anything of that nature to where he would be a person that you would go to get these things? Mr. Espinosa. I wouldn't know that but I don't think so, and I wouldn't think so. | Mr. Blackmer. So, you think it was really Mike. who secured the planes and used Sam as the front man. Mr. Espinosa. No, I think Mike told him to. get us what we wanted more or less and he got it. | Mr. Blackmer. Was it your understanding’ that: Lo Benton -was connected with the government. in any way, the UL Ss, “government? Mr. Espinosa. No, at no time did I believe he was. “connected with the U.S. Government. ‘Mr. Blackmer. And had Mike at any time to. your. knowledge .been connected with the U.S. Government? Mr. Espinosa. Not that I know of. Mr, Blackmer. Where did you get the explosives that. you~ were going to use? Mr. Espinosa. I think we got them in Fort Lauderdale. - ALDERSON. REPORTING, COMPANY, INC,: orare) 7K. QTREET: e VAL DEDNOTEDS OF nina LAA GuuiAIerAAL AOA AAna iainay cra ana
410- 11 19 20 ~. 24 © 23 © we HW 53080 Docld:32248213" Page 32- 20 Mr. Blackmer. Did you personally get them or someone else got them? a Mr. Espinosa. I think Miguel Alvarez got them. Mr. Blackmer. Can you tell ous a little. bit about. jihate the plan was for this bombing raid? Mr. Espinosa. Well, the plan was to try to get the” refinery out of service or out of production so instead of bringing crude oil into the country and be refined in Cuba, they would have to bring in the gasoline. So,. that Would: have made a very easy target for us in order to blow: up. the. tankers or whatever vessels were used to bring in the ‘gasoline: Mr. Blackmer. Were you aware that any of: these vessels that were carrying oil to Cuba may have been ‘flying: ay Russian flag? Mr. Espinosa. No, this was a sutras Udit time. aa Mr. Blackmer. It was not your intention at that. time to provoke an incident between the U.S. and Russia? : Mr. Espinosa. No, that-would have stopped us from blowing up the Russian ship. Mr. Blackmer. So, you had some knowledge, I. understand, of the particular oil refinery that you were going after?” Mr. Espinosa. Yes. Mr. Blackmer. How did you acquire that. knowledge?’ Mr. Espinosa. Well, through a family: busineses. _ ALDERSON REPORTING COMPANY, ANC, ann HK CTREET. 8. W.. REPORTERS BUILDING. WASHINGTON, D. Mer 20024 i202) 36a. 2346 mn
WW 53080, 20 21 .23 24 25 21 Mr. Blackmer. And what Specifically was that. business? Mr. Espinosa. It was--there were industrial inspectors: _ who used to inspect sugar refineries, alcohol and: ‘places. souhere alcohol was being made and gasoline refineries, or coil refineries, et cetera. Mr. Blackmer. And. you had personally gone over this particular refinery? | Mr. Espinosa. ‘Yes, as.a younger man J used: to. BO: there with inspectors sometimes to make some pocket. money: or something. Mr... Blackmer. A part-time job? ‘Mr. Espinosa. A part time job, yes. Mr. Blackmer. Did you talk McLaney into financing this operation? Mr. -Espinosa. Yes. Mr. Blackmer. And did you know what his particular interest was in seeing this operation successfully completed? Mr. Espinosa. Well, I mean, first we have to say that if the operation was Successful, perhaps we had a chance to- economically cripple the country and consequently bring about a change in the polities. of course, a change. in. ‘the. ; | political Situation at the time would have: been a. | favorable change for Mr. MeLaney' s economics or business. ‘out eee Mr. Blackmer. So, McLaney was personally. interested ‘in. regaining some of his possessions in Cuba. ALDERSON RERORTING COMPANY, ING, Docld:32248213 . Page ad Ith STREET cw. REDARTERS BIINRIMA Arn cHiMATAR AoA Anak e ledveo ee”
O-- | Mr. Espinosa. Yes. | 2 Mr. Blackmer. Was it the 8-25 or 8-26? OO a 3 Mr. Espinosa. I cannot remember, one or ‘the other. 4 | Mr. Blackmer.. Who was it that was to get the plane? 5 Mr. Espinosa. The plane was to be delivered: to. “us. over. 6 there. | | 7 Mr. Blackmer. At Pontchartrain? 8 Mr. Espinosa, ‘Yes, and we were to go over there on the 9 plane and take off. 10 Mr. Blackmer. Specifically, who was going to goon the ~ W.aetual flight? 12 Mr. Espinosa. It was going to be a pilot, whose name I O ag can't remember right now. of? 7 14 Mr. Blackmer. Was it Antonio Msquert Tce | 16 Mr. Espinosa. I am not sure; it could be. . 16 Mr. Blackmer. Who else was to Zo on the pane? 17 Mr. Espinosa. There were only three people “to.go on the 18 plane. It was going to be Antonio, if it was--I-am not sure, 19 and Miguel and myself or either Migual or Carlos Hernandez. 99 Mr. Blackmer. Was Sam Benton, once again, going to get 21) you the plane? 29 Mr. Espinosa. No. 93 Mr. Blackmer. Who was going to get you , the plane? : O OT ag Mr. Espinosa. I have no idea. We were tried; ; the whole (25 thing was departmentalized. _ ALDERSON: REPORTING COMPANY, Inc; HW!-53080-  DocId: 32248213, ‘Page: 35. en . AAT OTOCET OUR) RE RAR TENA Alia RA leas ee
1 Mr. Blackmer. Whose responsibility was it to. your: 2 knowledge--was it to get the plane? oe - 3 Mr. Espinosa. Financial responsibility, you - a | } | 4 Mr. Blackmer. Financial responsibility. oe 5 Mr. Espinosa. It was Mike McLaney. 6 Mr. Blackmer, And to the best of your knowledge, Mike 7 Was going to make sure that’ the plane was at a specified * 8 location? | ) Mr. Espinosa. That is right. 10 Mr. Blackmer,. - And as to the pilot, did you take. ‘the HW pilot with you or was the pilot supposed to be. there with the -.42 plane? | 13 Mr. FSpinosa. © No, I went there first to that: places, sand 44 then the guy who was going to go with the plane, cartos 15 Hernandez, came from Miami, and the pilot was supposed: td meet 16 us there once the plane was there or we knew. the plane: ‘was. | 17 coming and he was going to fly from Miami to New Orleans. ia a The pilot we 18 Mr. Blackmer, didn't ‘come as, Carlos Hernandez? 19 Mr. Espinosa. No. _ Lavell “. 20 _ Mr. Blackmer. Do-you know an individual, named beehli “21. from Colesville, Illinois? 22 Mr. Espinosa. Yes. rx) Mr. Blackmer. How did you come to know. vieini?: OQ Doo. 24 Mr. Espinosa. Someone gave me his phone: number’ -and a 7 26 can't recall who did it by now, and I called hin and I a _ALDERSON REPORTING. COMPANY; INC, “AW 53080 Doeta: 32248213, ‘Page 3006 'th STREET, S.W. REPORTERS BUILDING, WASHINGTON: D: C: 20024" (202) 554: 2345
"20 23 24 inquired if I could go and’ see him and get some. explosives and) get some special detonators made for the bombs we were going to drop in the raid. oe | Mr. Blackmer. This individual that told you about him, -what did the individual tell you about Luchli? Mr. Espinosa. It Was just the John Birch Society who had helped some of the Cubans and different officials before. Mr. Blackmer. You telephoned this individual. and met him, I assume, where?. | Mr. Espinosa. At his place, at his house. Mr. Blackmer. ‘That was where? Mr. Espinosa. In Colesville, Illinois. Mr. Blackmer. Did you then go with him to pick-up. ~ “explosives? _ oe Cas Mr. Espinosa. First, we ‘picked up the explosives. but. we: left them at the place where he had them and then we. went. on ' for three or four days. making the detonators which were nade from the heads of 61 millimeter mortar shells or 60 milliméter mortar shells. “ Mr. Blackmer. I assume Mr. beehli supplied all. of the individual parts and you and Luchli together: made tasem? Mr. Espinosa. We put them together and che had a very. nice working room. Mr. Blackmer. This was in Colesville, Illinois? Mr. Espinosa. Yes. 7 ALDERSON REPORTING COMPANY, INC, - HW 53080 Docld: 32248213. ‘Page: “Sh gth STREET SW REPOATERS AINE MING \AIACLINETARL AAU annn# indent en cnn:
@ 1 Mr. Blacxmer. And then did you subsequently” take the Spy: a 2 bombs and munitions with you to New Orleans? ae 3 Mr. Espinosa. Yes. 4 Mr. Blackmer. When you went to New Orleans, where did 5 you stay? 6) Mr. Espinosa. TI: Stayed. at MecLaney's house. 7 Mr. Blackmer. The same cottage at Lake Pontchartrain? 8 Mr. Espinosa. Yes: but: let me say Something first. I 9 stayed the first night in a motel, and the next. day. Tr drove 10 because ‘I wasn't sure I could’ fing a place ‘at nient, and “then 11 the next day I drove. over there. 12 Mr. Blackmer. Did. you: at’ any time contact: ‘Bill Meaney? oO. 13 . Mr. Espinosa. I can’t recall if I did or hot, My [probably 44 did. . oe 15 Mr. Blackmer. Do yOu Rewe any—idea—how | ‘someone else. may 16 have given you a key or was the door left open? “tn other 17 words, what I am trying to.establish is: Did Bill know about 18 the whole operation? - . 19 Mr. Espinosa. I can't say for certain. 20°. Mr. Blackmer. And you do not recall whether or not he. og physically came to the cottage where you were? 0 a “Mr. Espinosa. No. 233 Mr. Blackmer. Did you know anyone else in New Orleans at. @ _ a4 the time that you might have been in contact: ithe 2 Mr. Espinosa. No. a o _ALDERSON, REPORTING” COMPANY, INC. NW 53080. DocIa: 32248213 . Page | BB 7th STREET, S.Ws “REPORTERS BUILDING. WASHINGTON. D.C. 26024-1900) Bdo7de
Ww 53080, Doeld: 32248213 Page 39. eT 1 Mr. Blackmér. Did you know an individual by the name of o 2 Guy Eannister? nae 3 Mr. Espinosa. Not that I Know of. oe 4 Mr. Blackmer. A former FBI agent and active at the time 5 in New Orleans. 6 Mr. Espinosa. Noes 7 Mr. Blackmer. ae pc meawsSOse : ] Davie Pepeie 7 8 ' Mr. Espinosa. No. . 9 10 11 16 17 18 20 21 23 24 25 ALDERSON REPORTING COMPANY, ING, AAAs OTOEET ciar aconATERe Ant ANG. \WAGHINGTON Ae >an04 (209) 584-2345
Select Committee on Assassinations U.S. House of Representatives WASHINGTON, D.C, 20515 fur wins pity bn» a ¢ HW 53080 DocId:32248213 Page ao