424-10291-1002 AGENCY INFORMATION AGENCY: — FBI RECORD NUMBER: — 124-10291-10023 RECORD SERIES: HO AGENCY FILE NUMBER: CR 62-112738-1201 DOCUMENT INFORMATION ORIGINATOR: CIA FROM: CIA TO: DIRECTOR. FBI TITLE: DATE: 03/03/1978 PAGES: 23 SUBJECT: OBA, SITUATION RPT, VENEZUELA, TERRORISM, CUBAN EXILES, CARTER, JIMMY, VISIT DOCUMENT TYPE: PAPER. TEXTUAL DOCUMENT ORIGINAL Secret NEW © CLASSIFICATION: CLASSIFICATION: REVIEW_DATE: — 07/08/1998 UPDATE DATE: STATUS _ Redact RESTRICTIONS: JFK Act 6 (1)(B) COMMENTS: HY 50953 DBoctd: 32306883 Page 1
. 2 . “o PAGE 5, RUEAIIA 9328 ae SS NOFNRN WNINTEL 1978 V VISIT OF PRESIDENT JIMMY CARTER. ALTHOUGH THERE IS SECRET AC TENDENCY TO BLAME THE UNITED STATES FOR VENEZUELA’S CURRENT FINANCIAL PROBLEMS, IT IS DOUBTFUL THAT DEMONSTRATIONS ‘WHICH MIGHT TAKE PLACE WOULD BE AIMED AT PRESIDENT CARTER, BUT RATHER THEY WOULD BE STAGED DURING THE PRESIDENT’S VISIT TO EITHER EMBARRASS THE CURRENT VENEZUELAN: GOVERNMENT OR TO FURTHER DRAMATIZE THE CAUSE BEING ADVOCATED. (SOURCE : A STAFF OFFICER.OF THIS AGENCY.) 3. THE VENEZUELAN SECURITY SERVICES RECOGNIZE THIS SITUATION AND EXPECT THAT THERE WILL BE UNPLEASANT, ANTI- - “VENEZUELAN GOVERNMENT INCIDENTS DURING PRESIDENT CARTER‘'S CARACAS VISIT. VENEZUELAN AUTHORITIES BELIEVE THESE INCIDENTS WILL DEAL WITH CHARGES OF HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS AND GOVERNMENT CORRUPTION. THE SECURITY FORCES WILL BE ABLE TO CONTROL ANY SITUATION THAT ARISES, THE AUTHORITIES BELIEVE. (SOURCE : || I. THE VENEZUELAN LEFTIST GROUPS HY 50953 DBoctd: 32306883 Page 2?
HY A Sa NOFNRN WNINTE] te) “PAGE 2 RUEAIIA 9327 POLISH DIPLOMATS. ~CSOURCE: A VENEZUELAN BUSINESSMAN WITH CONTACTS "among [SECURITY OFFICIALS] AND WHOSE REPORTING IS GENERALLY (5) EC RELIABLE ») 5, WENEZUELAN EXTREME LEFTIST GROUPS INCLUDE THE BANDERA ROJA (GR); THE BANDERA ROJA-MARXIST/LENINIST (BR/MLLN ALSO KNOWN AS THE ANTONIO JOSE DE SCURE. GUERRILLA FRONT: THE ARMED FORCES OF WATIONAL LIBERATION (FALN) ,AND THE ORGANIZATION OF REVOLUTIONARIES (OR). THESE GROUPS HAVE BEEN OPERATING IN THE EASTERN VENEZUELAN STATES, PARTICULARLY MONAGAS, ANZOATEGUI, SUCRE AND BOLIVAR. THEY HAVE CARRIED OUT NUMEROUS RAIDS ON MILITARY POSTS, HAVE TAKEN OVER SMALL TOWNS FOR A LIMITED PERIOD OF TIME DURING WHICH THEY LECTURED THE TOWNS PEOPLE ON ANTI-GOVERNMENT POLITICAL THEMES, AND IN GENERAL HAVE HARRASSED AND EMBARRASSED THE GOVERNMENT FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. (SOURCE 8 | ~ [fvnose REPORTING IS GENERALLY RELIABLE.) {=) 6, DESPITE A LARGE-SCALE VENEZUELAN MILITARY COMMITMENT IN THE EASTERN STATES, THE GUERRILLAS REMAIN C8) — SECR SES J _ 50953 Daoctd: 323060863 Page 3
PAGE 3 RUEAIIA 9329 Smee, NOFNRN WNINTEL . VIRTUALLY. uyrovcush > THEY MOVE ABOUT. rhe Tounshup CITIES OF | THE AREA RELATIVELY FREELY AND GENERALLY ENJOY THE supront SECRET OF THE LOCAL CITIZENS. FOR THE MOST PART, THEY ARE NATIVES OF THE AREA, OR THROUGH THE YEARS HAVE SPENT A GOOD DEAL OF TIME THERE, HAVE MUCH IN COMMON WITH THE LOCAL PEOPLE, AND, IN SHORT, ARE MORE FRIENDLY AND THUS MORE WELCOME THAN THE GOVERNMENT SECURITY AND MILITARY PEOPLE. ESTIMATES OF THEIR STRENGTH RANGE FROM 5@ TO 159 INDIVIDUALS. (SOURCE: | | |wiose(S) REPORTING IS GENERALLY RELIABLE.) 7e THE GOVERNMENT'S OWN HEAVY HANDED METHODS IN DEALING WITH THE LOCAL POPULATION, HAVE, IN TURN, HARMED THE GOVERN- MENT*S IMAGE IN THE AREA FAR MORE THAN THE GUERRILLAS COULD HAVE HOPED TO DO WITH THEIR OPERATIONS. ALTHOUGH THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICLY CLAIMS TO HAVE CAPTURED SEVERAL GUERRILLA LEADERS RECENTLY, THE PRISONERS ARE ILLITERATE FARM WORKERS WHO CLEARLY ARE NOT TRAINED GUERRILLA KRIGHTERS. THOSE WHO FEEL THAT THEY HAVE BEEN VICTIMIZED BY THE SECURITY FORCES, TURN AWAY FROM THE GOVERNMENT AND TOWARD THE GUERRILLAS. MANY OF THOSE WHO ARE NOT f . i atel oni (4) SECRET HY 50953 Daoctd:323060863 Page 4
‘PAGE 4 RUEAIIA 93207) mommy NOF URN WNINTELC ) DIRECTLY AFFECTED ALSO LOSE RESPECT FOR THEIR GOVERNMENT WHICH, WHILE _MISTREATING THE CITIZENRY, FAILS TO ERADICATE THE GUERRILLAS. CRET INVESTIGATIONS INTO THE GOVERNMENT'S ANTI-GUERRILLA ACTIVITIES 7 IN THE AREA ARE CURRENTLY UNDERWAY. (SOURCE: A VENEZUELAN PROFESSIONAL MAN WITH GOOD CONTACTS IN[SECURITY AND JuDIciaL (6) CIRCLES AND WHOSE REPORTING IS. GENERALLY RELIABLE.) 3. DURING THE PAST TWO TO THREE MONTHS THE GUERRILLAS HAVE BEEN RELATIVELY INACTIVE. VENEZUELAN AUTHORITIES HADBELIEVED THAT AFTER SPENDING AN ENJOYABLE HOLIDAY SEASON, THE GUERRILLAS WOULD RESUME THEIR CAMPAIGN IN FEBRUARY. THIS HAS NOT MATERIALIZED AND SECURITY OFFICIALS ARE NOW ATTEMPTING TO DISCOVER WHETHER THE GUERRILLAS HAVE TAKEN COVER AS A RESULT OF THE GOVERNMENT'S EFFORTS IN THE EASTERN STATES OR ARE REGROUPING AND PLANNING TO RENEW THEIR ACTIVITIES SOON. (SOURCE: ICs) . . fs. i, IN LATE FEBRUARY, HOWEVER, VENEZUELAN fOFFICIALS v APONTE AND SEVERAL OTHER GUERRILLA LEADER aa = oa “SEORED HY 50953 Daoctd: 3230638683 Page 5
‘PAGE a RUEATIA 932.97SH > NOFNRN WNI NTEL ) PUERTA AND THE OTHERS ARE BELIEVED TO BE IN CONTACT WITH. SECRET. UNSPECIFIED EXTREME LEFTIST ELEMENTS AND PLANS FOR THE SHIFTING OF THE GUERRILLA CAMPAIGN TO THE URBAN AREAS ARE BEING MADE. (SOURCE: A VENEZUELAN BUSINESSMAN WITH CONTACTS AMONG [secur ITY OFFICIALS JAND WHOSE REPORTING IS GENERALLY (5) RELIABLE.) | 18. THE VENEZUELAN GOVERNMENT STILL BELIEVES THAT THE 26 FEBRUARY 1976 KIDNAPPING OF UNITED STATES BUSINESSMAN WILLIAM F. NIEHOUS WAS CARRIED OUT BY THE BR, FALN AND THE OR WORKING JOINTLY. WHILE THE GOVRNMENT HAS IMPRISONED SEVERAL INDIVIDUALS FOR THEIR SUPPOSED INVOLVEMENT IN THE KIDNAPPING, THE CASE REMAINS UNRESOLVED AND NIEHOUS" WHEREABOUTS UNKNOWN. (SOURCE sf _ | (Ss) 11. IN ADDITION TO THEIR RURAL MILITARY APPARATS, THE BR, ' A OR AND FALN MAINTAIN QUASI- LEGAL FRONT GROUPS WHICH ARE ACTIVE IN THE URBAN AREAS. THE BR HAS NUMEROUS CIVIC 50953 Daoctd: 3230608683 Page 6
HY "PAGE 6 RUEATIA 937° ae NOFNRN WNINTE)A\ a, “AWARENESS GROUPS sin’H AS THE comm iLTTEE AGAINSTHE HIGH “COST OF LIVING, THE STUDENT'S COMMITTEE FOR THE POPULAR SF CRET STRUGGLE (CLEP), ETC. THE OR MAINTAINS A FRONT GROUP KNOWN AS THE SOCIALIST LEAGUE (LS, WHICH, IN TURN HAS ORGANIZED THE UNITED POPULAR STUDENT MOVMENT (MEUP). THE FALN'S LESS SUCCESSFUL FRONT IS RUPTURA » CLEP, MEUP AND RUPTURA HAVE WORKED TOGETHER TO ORGANIZE THE RECENT STUDENT DISTURBANCES WHICH BEGAN IN MID-FEBRUARY. FURTHERMORE, WHILE THERE Is NO PROOF, VENEZUELAN OFFICIALS BELIEVE THAT THE FRONT GROUPS “ARE NOW RECEIVING SUPPORT AND DIRECTION FROM ABROAD. .VENEZUELAN OFFICIALS EXPECT THESE DISTURBANCES TO CONTINUE AND INDEED INCREASE UNTIL AFTER THE DECEMBER ELECTION. (SOURCE: | (©) 12. IN DISCUSSING THE STUDENT DISTURBANCES, RETIRED GENERAL RAUL G 1 MEN E Z GAINZA, HEAD OF THE DIRECTORATE FOR THE SERVICES OF INTELLIGENCE AND PREVENTION (ISIP), SAID THAT HE FULLY EXPECTS THE DEMONSTRATIONS TO CONTINUE FOR SOMETIME. FURTHERMORE, HE OPINED THAT THE POLICE HAVE AS YET NOT REALLY BEEN CALLED OUT IN FORCE TO HANDLE THE BT | SECREL 50953 Daoctd:323063863 Page 7
“PAGE 2 RUEAIIA 9339 @)°“waEMsEEEs NOFNRN wninTEL SY HAVE NOT ENGAGED IN LOOTING. SHOULD THIS OccuUR, NE PREDICTED, THE NATIONAL GUARD WOULD QUICKLY BE CALLED OUT IN FORCE, SUCH SECRET A MOVE, HOWEVER, COULD POSSIBLY RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURIES AND | A DETERIORATION OF THE SITUATION. (SOURCE: A PROFESSIONAL MAN WITH CONTACTS AMONG VENEZUELAN [SECURITY OFFICIALS JAND WHOSE (S) REPORTING IS GENERALLY RELIABLE.) II. CUBAN EXILES 13. THE CUBAN EXILE COMMUNITY IS LARGE, WELL-ESTABL ISHED AND INFLUENTIAL. FURTHERMORE, IT CURRENTLY FEELS BETRAYED AND REJECTED BY BOTH THE USG AND THE VENEZUELAN GOVERNMENT. IN THE FORMER CASE, THE CUBAN EXILE COMMUNITY IS CONCERNED BY THE USG*S EXPANDED FRIENDLY RELATIONS WITH THE CUBAN GOVERNMENT. WITH REGARD TO THE GOV, THE EXILES HAVE COME TO DISTRUST THE PEREZ ADMINISTRATION WHICH THEY FEEL HAS UNJUSTLY HARRASSED THE COMMUNITY SINCE THE 6 OCOBER 1976 BOMBING OF A CUBANA AIRLINE, SUPPOSEDLY 8Y CUBAN EXILE EXTREMISTS. THE FAIRLY RECENT INSTANCE IN WHICH THE GOV REVOKED THE VENEZUELAN CITIZENSHIP OF A WELL-KNOWN CUBAN PHYSICIAN IN RETALIATION . e- SECRET. HY 50953 DBoctd: 32306803 Page @
HY PAGE 4 RUEAIIA 9350 NO FNRN WNINTEL e BOTH THE GOV AND THE EXILE COMMUNITY FEAR THAT, SHOULD HE DIE, O CRE EXILE EXTREMISTS WILL MOVE SWIFTLY AND STRONGLY AGAINST PRESIDEN Se jin PEREZ. BOSCH HIMSELF HAS SAID THAT PRESIDENT PEREZ WILL BE HELD PERSONALLY ACCOUNTABLE FOR HIS DEATH. (SEE (Hvc]7858, TDFIRDB-315/82855-78.) (SOURCE: A VENEZUELAN BUSINESSMAN WITH CONTACTS AMONG CUBAN EXILES AND WHOSE REPORTING IS GENERALLY RELIABLE.) 16. A RELATIVELY LARGE NUMBER OF FORMER CUBAN , a GA (Fb Oe CITIZENS HOLD INFLUENTIAL POSITIONS WITHIN ji Se VENEZUELAN fer SECURITY SERVICES. AMONG THESE ARE ont anne yc AR C LA, a DISIP’S CHIEF OF OPERATIONS, AND R'ICARDO\ Sy A FORMER DISIP SECTION CHIEF AND NOLOSE ASSOCIATE OF GARCIA. MORALES HAS IN THE PAST INDICATED HIS BELIEF THAT THE USG IS IN SOME MEASURE RESPONSIBLE FOR HIS CURRENT PROBLEMS AND ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS HAS MADE THREATENING REMARKS TOWARD USG PERSONNEL IN VENEZUELA. WHILE MORALES NO LONGER HOLDS AN OFFICIAL POSITION IN DISIP, HE DOES MAINTAIN SOME DISIP CONNECTIONS. MORALES TRAVELS ABROAD FREQUENTLY AND IS CURRENTLY BELIEVED TO BE OUTSIDE THE COUNTRY. (SOURCES: 50953 Daoctd:323060863 Page 3 ies
PAG E ° RUEATIA 933 0 <a NOFNRN WNINTEL / () A VE NEZUE LAN BUSINESS. AN WITH “GOOD CONTACTS AMONG’-VENEZUELAN (sec cURITY OFFICIALS \AND WHOSE REPORTING IS GENERALLY SECRET RELIABLE.) _ GC) Lie THE CUBAN EXILE COMMUNITY HAS RECEIVED INFORMATION MORALES RECENTLY THREATENED THE LIFE OF DIEGO RR IA, VENEZUELAS MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND TOURISM, WHILE ARRIA was TRAVELLING ABROAD.’ THE COMMUNITY HAS IN THE PAST SUSPECTED MORALES TO BE AN AGENT OF THE CUBAN GOVERNMENT. SINCE THEY FEEL THAT ARRIA Is A RATHER UNLIKELY TARGET FOR CUBAN EXTREMISTS, THE COMMUNITY BELIEVES THAT MORALES" THREAT, IF INDEED MADE, IS POSSIBLY A CUBAN GOVERNMENT ATTEMPT TO FURTHER DISCREDIT THE EXILE COMMUNITY IN VENEZUELA. _CSOURCE : A VENEZUELAN BUSINESSMAN WITH CONTACTS AMONG CUBAN EXILES AND HOSE REPORTING IS GENERALLY RELIABLE.) Ile INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM 18. ILICH “CARLOS oe, Sommer HY 50953 Bocld: 32306883 Page 10
PAGE 6 RUEAIIA 95309 SES NOFNRN WNINTEL INTERNATIONAL TERRORI§T, IS A VENEZUELAN CITIZEN WHOSE FAMILY | RESIDES IN SAN CRISTOBAL, TACHIRA STATE. THERE HAS BEEN PAST SECRET INFORMATION THAT RAMIREZ" ASSOCIATES OCCASIONALLY TRAVEL TO = / VENEZUELA. THERE IS NO CURRENT INFORMATION INDICATING THAT “CARLOS” HIMSELF OR ANY OF HIS CURRENT CLOSE ASSOCIATES ARE NOW IN VENEZUELA. (SOURCE: z= KS) 19, JoHNYWA HO UR I, LATIN AMERICAN HEAD OF THE weil ’ POPULAR FRONT FOR THE LIBERATION OF PALESTINE (PFLP), En) RESIDES IN THE PORT CITY OF LA GUAIRA IN THE CARACAS FEDERAL DISTRICT. THE GOV IS AWARE OF KHOURI‘'S PRESENCE IN VENEZUELA AND HAS AGREED TO ALLOW HIM TO REMAIN IN THE COUNTRY WITH HIS FAMILY AS LONG AS HE DOES NOT BECOME INVOLVED IN PFLP OR ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES IN VENEZUELA. IN AN EFFORT TO ENSURE KHOURI°’S COMPLIANCE, THE GOV OCCASIONALLY MONITORS HIS ACTIVITIES. AS IN THE PAST, DISIP WILL UNDOUBTEDLY PLACE KHOURI UNDER "PREVENTIVE DETENTION” DURING PRESIDENT CARTER'S VISIT. (SOURCE: & STAFF OFFICER OF THIS AGENCY.) 29. IN ADDITION TO CUBAN EXILES, JEWISH AND ARAB GROUPS, BT #953¢ et HY 50953 Daocld: 323063683 Page 11
° " PAGE 2 RUEAIIA ar? rare NOFNRN WNINTEL CARTERS VISIT. (SOD,JE: A STAFF OFFICER OF THYS AGENCY.) - 7 SECRET IV. THE VENEZUELAN SECURITY SERVICES 21. THE VENEZUELAN SECURITY SERVICES, ESPECIALLY DISIP, - HAVE BEEN HARD HIT BY PERSONAL RIVALRIES AMONG THEIR TOP OFFICIALS. PART OF DISIP'S DIFFICULTIES ARISE FROM CHARGES OF MISCONDUCT IN THE HANDLING OF THE ANTI-GUERRILLA CAMPAIGN IN THE EASTERN STATES. ANOTHER PART STEMS FROM MUTUAL DISTRUST AND BACKBITING AMONG ITS LEADERS. DISIP"S EFFICIENCY, WHICH UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS IS NONE TOO GOOD, IS NOT UP TO ITS USUAL STANDARD. DISIP DIRECTOR GIMENEZ HAS VOICED HIS LACK OF FAITH IN THE YOUNGER GENERATION OF DISIP OFFICERS AND HAS EXPRESSED HIS DESIRE FOR A RETURN TO THE OLDER, MORE EXPERIENCED OFFICIALS. (SOURCE: (a VENEZUELAN PROFESSIONAL man [with CONTACTS ©) AMONG VENEZUELAN [Security OFFICIALS} AND WHOSE REPORTING IS (S) GENERALLY RELIABLE.) 22, SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR BOTH DISIP AND THE TECHNICAL JUDICIAL POLICE (PTJ) HAVE EXPERIENCED FUNDING ¢ a mee . 3 AN } NS gS pacar ¥ Sis HY 50953 Bocld: 32306883 Page i2
PAGE 3 RUEAITA 933 Log (Suess NOFNRN WNINTEL PROBLEMS WHICH, ACCOM. we TO DISIP DIRECTOR GIMEwEZ, ARE DUE TO P THE Gov" S CURRENT SUDGET PROBLEMS COUPLED WITH POOR iututstRat Oye. DURING JANUARY AND FEBRUARY BOTH AGENCIES WERE FORCED TO BORROW FROM FEDERAL BANKING INSTITUTIONS TO MEET THEIR PAYROLLS. EVEN SO, PAYROLL DISBURSEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE LATE. AS A RESULT, MORALE AMONG THE OFFICERS AND MEN OF THESE AGENCIES IS LOWER THAN USUAL. (SOURCE: [A PROFESSIONAL han [WITH CONTACTS atone (S) VENEZUELAN [SECURITY OFFICIALS]AND WHOSE REPORTING IS GENERALLY (S) RELIABLE.) 23. THE DIRECTORATE OF MILITARY INTELLIGENCE (DIM) HAS NOT BEEN INVOLVED IN RECENT REORGANIZATION AND PERSONNEL PROBLEMS AND IS GENERALLY STAFFED WITH CAREER MILITARY OFFICERS ON ROTATIONAL TOURS. DIM’S OPERATIONS IN THE EASTERN STATES ARE CURRENTLY UNDER. INVESTIGATION WHICH MAY, HOWEVER, CAUSE THIS SERVICE SOME PROBLEMS IN THE WEEKS AND MONTHS TO COME. | (SOURCE: A STAFF OFFICER OF THIS AGENCY.) 24. VENEZUELAN SECURITY OFFICIALS HAVE NOT YET BEGUN TO DO ANY SUBSTANTIAL PLANNING FOR PRESIDENT CARTER'S VISIT, BELIEVING 21) COPBIT wee ie 4 HY 50953 Daocld: 3230630683 Page 13
PAGE 4 RUEAIIA 9331 Onn NOFNRN WNINTEL IT [5 -T00 EARLY TO DO $0. PRELIMINARY THOUGHT, HOWEVER, HAS BEEN GIVEN TO ESTABLISHING A JOINT SPECIAL SECURITY COMMAND TO COORDINATE MILITARY, POLICE AND SECURITY UNITS ASSIGNED TO SAFEGUARDING PRESIDENT CARTER AND HIS PARTY. (SOURCES | ! <) 254 IN GENERAL, THE INTERNAL DIFFICULTIES OF THE SERVICES TEND TO MAKE BOTH DIM AND DISIP LESS FORTHCOMING WITH AND TRUSTFUL OF OUTSIDERS. FURTHERMORE, THEY ARE SUSPICIOUS OF EACH OTHER AND MUTUAL COOPERATION IS LIMITED. - DESPITE THESE LIMITATIONS, THE VENEZUELAN SECURITY SERVICES ARE WELL DISPOSED TO AND CAN BE EXPECTED TO PROVIDE THE NECESSARY PROTECTION FOR AND COOPERATION WITH PRESIDENT CARTER AND HIS PARTY. (SOURCE: A STAFF OFFICER OF THIS AGENCY.) | | Ve EMBASSY COMMENT 25. (EMBASSY COMMENT: THE CHARGE HAS SEEN THIS REPORT ' AND HAS NO COMMENT TO ADD.) a) A] "SECRET HY 50953 Daocld: 323060683 Page 14
y PAGE 3 RUEALIA 9331 @ea@meeemtas NOFNRN WNINTEL S RET “26. ACO: VENEZUELA, CARACAS (2 MARCH 1978) FIEL EC be (uvof 7260. (6) 27. FIELD DISSEM: EMBASSY, DEFATT, FBI, SECRET SERVICE CARACAS: SENT TO BRASILIA, RIO DE JANEIRO, LAGOS, MONROVIA, USCINCSO (J=2 ONLY). . REPORT CLASS S E CR E T--WARNING NOTICE-SENSITIVE INTELLIGENCE SOURCES AND METHODS INVOLVED-NOT RELEASABLE TO FOREIGN NATIONALS-~ NOT RELEASABLE TO CONTRACTORS OR CONTRACTOR/CONSULTANTS. CLASSIFIED BY RECORDED REPORTING OFFICER. XGDS-1,2. BT #9IS3S1 == Pic . eo -DNrp | 5° — HY 50953 DBocld: 32306883 Page 145