DRAFT — “4173 B. Palmer assification!® TH cued. (This foMANURG BA ¥ecBTNERGaterial ‘extracted: from ClA—controlled documents.) When he first came into prominence as a Cuban exile # leader, Manuel Ray Rivero was described as "softspoken and unassuming", a person of "highest intellect, sincerity and ‘CIA HAS NO ceemcion TO DECLASSIFICATION AND/OR “RELEASE OF THIS DOCUMENT 7 conviction" -- in other, words, a natural teader.? Ih. 1947, the 23- -year old Ray was granted a scholarship by the Cuban -- Ministry of Public Works to study civil engineering at the a University of utah. Ray was in the United States. for two! - years before returning to his native Cuba. in 1949. and obtaining various positions in the , engineering ‘field, one of which was project manager for the construction of the | Havana Hilton Hotel.” | ; Reacting..to the excesses of the mititary-cale of Fulgencio Batista, Ray organized the Civic Resistance Movement in 1957 and began supervising sabotage and acts of terrorism against the government. His political posture and active resistance to Batista was recognized by Fidel Castro who, upon assuming control of the government cf Cuba, appsinted. Ray his Minister of Public Works in February 1959.°- Within a few months of his appointment, Ray confided to two asti-Castro Cubans that he had recognized the symptoms of Communigsm ih the Castro regime but was not prepared to conspire against . § "EL Lider Maximo." Ray's tenure in Castro's government was short-lived. He a. was relieved of his official position in November .1939.. ‘No. : RETURN Tc Classification: Background ES Ob 200908.3 | —* BONot Reproduce , Classified by. derivation: , 4 TS y | SO-{1 3-104
— 7 «my me om «ny say ay sor RAPT. = 121/3/7ClagifieatiBi: SAver° B. Palmer - paqe z : ‘ . (This form is to be used for material extracted definite reasofrofotiAthbatrakvebemmntijas been documented but, according to one source, Ray did not leave Castro because ‘of ideological or policy discrepancies but rather because Of a personality clash with Castro's Minister of Labor who almost shot Ray after a stormy Cabinet meeting. ° Another theory about his leaving was that he opposed Castro's plan to declare Hubert Matos a traitor and execute the Cuban revolutionary hero with. whom Ray had been associated. For whatever reason, Ray did continue to permit his name to be associated with the Castro regime” until May 1960 when he formed the Revolutionary Movement of the People (Rett The MRP wasganti-Castro organization which believed that the ideas and aims of-the democratic left best suited the 12 needs and aspirations of the Cuban people. “It did not wish. to reinstate the 1940 Cuban Constitution, rather it favored continuation of the laws passed by Castro at the beginning of . chis. regime+3 ana advocated the regulation of private. investment : 14 and nationalization of all utilities. Associated with Ray in this underground organization were Raul Chibas, Ramon 15 Bargquin, Rogelio Cisneros, Rufo Lopez Fresquet and Felipe Pazos.t® Organized in each of Cuba's six provinces, the MRP was considered the most important underground group.?? Working in tightiy organized cells, the leadership in one province was unaware of the identities of their counterparts in other Classification: RETURN TO cA Sofa p Background Use Ony ; 1085 | Classified peek deprocuce yt
a | a a a ae ae DRAFT ~ MANUEL. RAY RIVERO - 11/3/78 ‘3 : Page Classification: 8 . in other provifthiedtod’ is, Roebatnedehgagerdridneanked of sabotage, from ClA—controlled documents.) oo and was supplied with explosives sent by launches from the a Florida Keys. *” | Having waited until May, 1960 to organize his resistance group, Ray was. criticized as being suspiciously tardy to the anti-castro movmement. 7° Charges of "Pidelism without Fidel" were made against him and the MRP because of their leftist ideologies. 2 Perhaps for these reasons, Ray! s background was questioned by some in the State Department”? and the Miami CIA station”? when, in the summer of 1960,‘ he was being re- _ cruited by the CIA in Cuba to become a member of the Frente Révolucionario Democratico (FRD), a newly formed anti-Castro 24 an important political asset?> and facilitated his clandestine entrance into the United States~°® on November LO, 1960.77 Nevertheless, there was internal conflict within the C{A about Ray's political compatibility to United States 1960, one Agency officer declared, "... Ray did not politically represent anything to cheer about. "78 A CIA officer who met privately with Ray in November, 1960 noted that his political posture was “doubtful" as far as U. S. government acceptance was concerned, “? anda further assessment portrayed Ray as so far “left in his thinking that he would be as dangerous to U. S. interests as castrd?° 2001983 “Classification: ee . : | Classified by derivation: organization sponsored by the CIA. The Agency considered him government policy. In a CIA Memo for Record, dated November 21,
dea neemnateantin mane Ne epee them satin ah tems caer te tte eat ee nce ot ere oe cia ya ya Or aa EEF LY —D AS > od : DRAFT -. MANUETCRRSSIRCEHOn 12/7" Page 4 (This form is to be used for material extracted © Some pronfiqnreft\-Cubatrpllechdqueenta] so expressed negative opinions about Ray, among them Dr. Jose Miro Cardona, president of the FRD. Miro opposed Ray because he considered his program too Marxist? and declared that Ray was bitterly anti-American as well as probably totalitarian in his think- ing.32 Manuel Artime, head of the Movimento Recuperacion Revolucionaria (MRR), noted that Ray's group was opposed to banning the Communist Party and in favor of "nationalizing everything."33 Although aware of his controversial political philosophy, the CIA continued to ag¢tively recruit Ray to join the FRD?4 because the White House and State Department pushed for his inclusion.35 Ray received full operational approval as a "political asset" on ‘February Te 196136 but resisted joining the newly formed Cuban Revolutionary Council (CRC) just as he had - resisted. inclusion into the FRD. He said he felt the members 3 OF; ‘the.. “ERC. were £60 restrained and he dia not. want to become me a part of a situation in which | someone else: was running the & Pigs invasion, Ray was persuaded to join the CRC as a show of unity.38 In recalling the events of this period, Ray told HSCA investigators that he was aware of the fact that certain in- fluential and wealthy Americans, among thet former Ambassador William Pawley, were opposed to him and that a lot of heavy propaganda wa lassification: accusing hinm-of being a Communist. 39 20 037 . | Classified by derivation:
Classification: DRAFT ~ | MANUEL TRAYOREVERO be dsbd 367 Gnaterial extracted Page 5 from ClA—-controlled documents.) £ Ray withdrew from the CRC shortly after the Bay of Pigs invasion. Ina Miami news conference on May 28, 16l, he said the major reason for’ the MRP break with the CRC. was that the Council had failed to live up to the written promises given it in March, outlining conditions Ray had insisted upon before 40 whe first condition had been that joining ‘the organization. the Council was to give first priority to the underground fighters in Cuba during the Bay of Pigs invasion. “Secondly, Ray had insisted that anyone too closely associated with the Batista regime would not be used in the invasion. Also, he said, he was to have been allowed prior approval of any appoint- ment of invasion military leaders. “41 Ray told the assembled spewsmen, that ‘his : Program to overthrow Castro was ‘based on maximum mobilization of the discontented people inside Cuba, and that he thought the leadership of this underground should =" leome,. ‘from Cubans | “who. ‘could | prove they ‘had access to such | a 42 potential force. Ray sought CIA support » for the MRP independent of the 1,73 claiming that the group had an effective underground 44 Counci organization but needed material and financial support. Ray felt the MRP.had to be allowed to plan its own operations and broaden its base of financial support to include sympathetic Latin American governments. 4° He was totally opposed to another 46 warge Fnvastoneiissitication: 2001208 Dy Classified by derivation: _
DRAFT - vo Cason 32/2/78 Page 6 (This form is to be used for material extrocted The Miami fremCldranontsaledstasumentiilea Ray be given an os initial $50,000 for operational expenses .4/ Reaction at CIA headquarters was immediate: Within 24 hours a Memo for the Record was circulated, objecting to the Miami Station's recommendation and claiming that Ray did not ever produce any substantial military actions against Castro.48 Ray was told to submit a "prospectus" of his plans for the MRP and advised that no financial help would be forthcoming until such a plan _ was reviewed. 49 | Ray went to Puerto Rico about -July, 1961, where he received sympathetic support for the MRP from the Governor ’ of that island, Luis Munoz Marin, who personally liked Ray .29 While Ray was in Puerto Rico, a member of the MRP underground in Cuba reported to the MRP Executive Council that he had been in contact with the CIA and was told by the Agency that no meterial resources would be available for the group until Manuel Ray was dismissed as general coordinator. >t Charging the CIA with repeated interference in the affairs of the MRP, Ray resigned so that there wouldn't be any obstacle to the group's cohesion. >2. ~ In October, 1961, the Puerto Rican Planning Board an- nounced that Ray had accepted a $12,000-a-year.position as consultant to that Board.°3 Although there was no evidence that the Puerto Rican government was supporting the MRP, Ray was looked upon with great favor by Puerto Rican officials >4 Classifi and he endeavore iON? cnesaee—wrer-cupam exiles residing there. °5 Pairs 4089 | Classified by derivation: b. AEF A 4" £9 £9 SF SE <9 SERRE, EPEAT,
So. 0 pRART =. m8 lo 2/2/78 Page 7 (This form is to be used for material-extracted Although frontstetodtdledciosenh3tional leadership of the MRP in April, 1962,°° Ray began formulating plans for a new anti-Castro organization, Junta Revolucionario Cubana (JURE) >! which, he said, would be only political in nature.>° _ Ray freely admitted that this group, organized in guly, 1962 39 . ia WE. ‘would cooperate with the CRC but ultimately hoped to dominate ir. 09 Concurrent with his JURE activities, Ray began Sz. “HP. The degree of Ray's success in this area.is not: -documented,. but his: efforts: continued: into the summer of --1963 ana involved [ ~ oo vand Do f* the chief of Station in[_|was so impressed by Ray's abilities that he recommended he be used more extensively in this capacity.©>°_] In June, 1963, the CIA inaugurated the concept of "Autonomous Operations", under which JURE could be financed independently, not through the crc. °° Military operations were also initiatea®’ with Rogelio Cisneros as JURE military coordinator.°® Classification: 2007090 | | Classified by derivation:
DRAFT - UBL CHR HfL: Page 3" ze) (This form is to be used for material extracted | Compound ifagm Ray--oprelled avaunieass.) the reyelation by the FBI . ; and U.S, Treasury that Rogelio Cisneros had illegally purchased $50,000 worth of arms for JURE from a California arms manu- | facturer, It also caused tHe. CIA considerable embarrassment, The Agency denied knowledge of the purchase to Revenue | officials and, because. of the autonomous nature of its relation- 7 ship with. JURE, did not make any attempt to stop Revenue's . investigation. °™* The Agency: now, however, told Ray that he | =; ww qt would have to move all his operations outside U. S. territory. In order tq shore. up his waning credibility within the | Cuban exile community, Ray again tried to infiltrate Cuba in July, 1964 but, again, his boat developed motor trouble and | the plan was aborted.” The failure this time led three AB BS exile groups to withdraw- from JURE. | All these events, from May through July, resulted in a. CIA decision ta stop financing Ray until he ceased all - ay . | activities from the U.S. mainland.°* The Agency authorized a © final payment of $75,000 to the group to facilitate the move, thereby “closing the Books" on JURE. 4 | 2. ga oes gs 8397 © Ray kept his organization together until August, 1968 although it was relatively. ineffective. He personally main- | tained an interest in anti-Castro activities, In 1969, he a Classification: _ _ , Be | 2001924 a ~ - , - | - Classified by derivation:
: . “a an yg An aay yg y 1g aS —_ y <=" DRAFT~ MANUEL Classificatio 3778 Page t& : (This form is to be used for material extracted from.ClA—controlled documents.) called togethera congress.of Cuban exiles to create a new 6. g organization.?® As late as.1972, he was actively engaged in the formulation of. the People's Revolutionary Party, hoping to reinvigorate the anti-Castro movement, >= but it, too, failed . 100 to make an impact. Ray still resides in Puerto Rico and heads his own a . 101 engineering consulting firm in San Juan. 7> Classification: 2001095 | Classified by derivation:
Classificationyies_—— (This MANUEL RAY UseHV FRO, mnaterial extracted from ClA—controlled documents.) 1. CIA/Deputy Director Operations DDO) .tManuel Ray Rivero (Ray) Volume II, Cable to Director from MASH) 11/17/60 2. SSCA AettsS, (Pp. 9, Item 8,) FBI Manolo Ray References, Section 2, «~~ “CTE DOC men 006463) 3. Ibid oe | 4, HSCA-$6559665 , Memo to G. Robert Blakey, 6/28/78, Interview of Manolo Ray Rivero from Fonzi/Gonzales 004003) 5. Ibid. 6. Give Us This Day by E. Howard Hunt, Popular Library. Edition, p. 91 7. HS6h-$005090, po?) FBI Correlation Study, Manolo Ray, | File #97-4546, Section 1.,p2,/ (JE DOCUmud 0054990) 8. CIA/DDO Ray Volume VII, Memo fro | former manager ,| _ dated /16/62 9. CIA/DDO, Ray Volume IV, Information Report, 3/16/61, Subject:. Background, Character and Economic Concepts of Manuel Ray Rivero - 10. Give’ Us This | Day by E. Howard Hunt, Popular Library ae Edition, p. 92 ll. HSCA—#009605, Memo to G. “Robert Blakey, 6/28/78, Interview of Manolo. Ray, Rivero from Fonzi/Gonzales , CsFreé DOCMMCHF : ooteas) 12. -CIA/DDO, Ray Volume VI, 6/9/62 study of program for liberation of Cuba submitted by Ray 13. CIA/DDO, Ray Volume II, Cable to Director from MASH, 11/17/60 14. Thid: 15. CIA/DDO, Ray Volume II, Organization of MRP 16. Give Us This Day by E. Howard Hunt, Popular Library Edition, p. 92 17. New York Times, April 10, 1961, Castro Foes Map Multiple Forays, by Tad Szulc 18. Ibid. 19. Ibid Classification: 20. Give Us This Day by E. Howard Hunt, Popular Library Edition, AOE CIA/DDO, Ray Volume II, Contact JRepor wikHQ 10/17/60, Subject: MeetThg with Juan Esteves and Jorge Ber p/
A SF SF a SE SF Ey SY <a x 22. 23. 24, 25. 27. 28. 29. 30. 32. 34. “35. 36. 37 38. Ibid - 26... CIA/DDO, Ray ‘Volume. Iv, Memo to S - Dr. Berle from "332° CIA/DDO, Ray Volume IV, Cable to Bell from JMWAVE, 3/1/61 39,< HSCA~¢009665, Memo to G. Robert Blake, 6/28/78, p. 4, --ron—Ponrrysorrrres | oth interviewgecipigagion! Rivero, “x4 O014097 (IE DdCumert 004 005) © Footnotes - ~ MahabsiffedHE RE? Page a, (This form is to be used for material extracted CIA/DDO, fReny C¥Lumstrdligd Memmetts.)WH/4 Chief from Acting Chief, WH, 9/27/60,. Subject: State Approval to Include Manuel Ray Rivero into the FRD Complex. CIA/DDO, Ray Volume I, Cable from MASH to WH/9, 9/29/60 CIA/DDO,. Ray Volume l, Meeting with Raul. Chibas, 9/7/60. CIA/DDO, Ray Volume II, Cable to Director from MASH, 11/5/60 ~~ CIA/DDO, Ray Volume II, Cable to Director from JMASH, 11/11/6 CIA/DDO, Ray Volume II, Memo for Record, 11/21/60 Subject: Meeting with King and Esterline on Subject of Handling MRP ~ CIA/DDO, Ray Volume II, Cable.to. Director from MASH, 11/17/60 - ° oF} CIA/DDO, Ray Volume V, Memo for Record, 6/2/61, Subject: Relations with Manolo Ray and the MRP fro TA/DDO, Ray Volume III, Information Report from U.S. Citizen. Free- ~lance writer and part-time sugar broker, 12/22/60 ARA ~ Philip W. Bonsal, 3/16/61, Subject: Recent Cuban Developments: - : . CIA/DDO, Ray Volume II, Cable to Director from MASH, 11/17/60. y Give Us This Day by E. Howard Hunt, Popular Library Edition, pp. 172-73 CIA/DDO, Ray Volume IV, administrative form s PAE E HSCA-#003605, Memo to G. Robert Blakey, 6/28/78, “interview with Manolo Ray Rivero, feon-Pouzi/consales (SFI Docu) CIA/DDO, Ray Volume IV, Memo for Record, 27 March 1961 by Gerald Droller, Subject: Ray Accepts Appointment to Council .... | Classified by derivation:
<a ed OF” ,” 2 wa A 4 yg x Pootnetes. ~, “Chad sifiedHor Page 3 ve form is to. be used for material extracted — By Sam Pope ron Le? we 41. Ibid 42. ibid, 43. CIA/DDO, Ray Volume Vv, Memo for Record, 6/2, 61. ener. Relations with Manolo Ray and the MRP,. eet’ 44, CIA/DDO, Ray Volume V, Cable to Bell from SMWAVE , 4/29/61, #0923 (Ss branclumetteat Vettes } 45. Ibid . ; oo 4 46. Ibid, 47. CIA/DDO, Ray Volume Yr Cable to Bell from JMWAVE 5/4/61, # 1312 (c:~ rast - _ 48. CIA/DDO, Ray Volume V, Memo for Record, 5/3/61 from Calvin Hicks, WH/4/PM/Operations 03 . 49, ——— _ Volume V, Memo for Record, 6/2/61, from ae CIA/DDO,, Ray. Volume VI, Memo for Record —- SECRET, 12/19/61 . Subject: “Miscellaneous. Items Discussed: with Drs Miro .on 18 December 1961 C620 BguSi itm pete 51.° New York Times, July 17, 1961, Cuba’ Exile Group Criticizes 7, boy Pé é6ér Kihss 7 52. -Ibid,.- ‘TemmreoeeRSEn 53. CIA/DDO, Ray Volume VI, Memo for Chief/WH Division, 10/10/61 fron[ ____l]subject: General - Cuban Matters; Specific - Manuel (Manolo) Ray ~ _ 54. a Ray Volume VII, Cable, 7/2/62 to Director from 55. CIA/DDO, Ray Volume VI, Memo for Record, SECRET, 19 December 1961, Subject: Miscellaneous Items discussed with Dr. Miro on 18 Secember 1961 ( Finy diunitinn “ote, } 56. CIA/DDO, Ray Volume VI, Revolutionary Movement of the People: National Leadership, 4/20/62 (4, oki itn us | 57. CIA/DDO, VII, Memo for Chief, Task Force W from 21 Gus ECG TION (QD: 5 55769 subjects Manolo Ray Meeting in New York 2001698 " a . | Classified by derivation: EN
Sa aA NTN enn eer umente eat aana MAREN nm tly on oe manok nn tine nee nan tt Footnotes ~ Manuel Ray Rivero 58. 59. 60. 6l. 62. 63. 64, 65. 67. : 68. 69. 70. 71. 72. 73. 74. Page 4 . pSEBLDPO JURE Volume ‘ Cable r° Director from [Ray in 13 June 1963, signed ewes Classification: | CIA/DDO, (Reig fywtimdo vheryserician masertal iexiroctpdsk Force W from Al Enero Chodxigidled dayne y462 , Subject: Manolo Ray Rivero # CIA/DDO, Ray ‘Volume VII, Memo for Chief, TAsk- Force W- from Alfonso Rodriguez, 7/12/62, Subject: Manolo Ray Rivero © CIA/DDO, Ray Volume VII, Cable 7/25/62 Ibid, CIA/DDO, Ray Volume VII, Memo to Chief, Task Force W ‘from Alfonso Rodriquez, 8/24/62, Subject: | | CIA/DDO, Ray Volume Ix, Cable to Director from Paris, 6/19/63, #77272 . CIA/DDO, Ray Volume_IX, Dispatch to Chief, WE, from co /2/63, [Contact Report on Meeting with Manolock. | 4 be Nett CIA/DDO, Ray Volume XVI, Memo to Director from Chief/WH Division, 7/9/64, Subject: Chronology of Concept of Autonomous Operations and Summary of Financial Support ‘to Manuel Artime Lad . CIA/DDO, Ray Volume X, Memo for Record, 8/23/63 from Alfonso Rodriguez, Subject: Ray Contact Report. HSCA-#6098657-—P—F Memo to G. Robert Blakey, 6/28/78, sTare ~ Taberyvesy with Manolo Ray Rivero by-Porrzt/conzaies , p.7 , @ Cddrmtand OOO OOS A CIA/DDO, Ray Volume KX - Cable to Director from JMWAVE, 9/11/63 CIA/DDO, Ray Volume XI, Draft, 10/4/63 by Rodriguez, Subject: Manuel Ray Rivero CIA/DDO, Ray Volume XI, Cable to Chief, Special Affiars Staff from JMWAVE/CS, 10/22/63 HSCA #009005, Memo to G. Robert Blakey, 6/28/78, STATE Interview with Manolo Ray Rivero, by-Benzi/Gengates (3 Fi DotA OOH OOS CIA/DDO, Ray Volume XII, Cable to Director from JMWAVE 1/14/64 CIA/DDO, Classifications 7—tntetticerce—information Cable, 2/4/64 . | Classified by derivation: § $ ¢ >
Footnotes - “ChassiFitatighy Page 5 (This form is to be used for material extracted : 75. CIA/DDO, feeny Cio-Lomer olde dacufieds2p to Director from IMWAVE 3/28/64 76. CIA/DDO, Ray Volume XIII, Memo for Chief, WH Division : 4/14/64 from Alfonso Rodriguez, Subject: My Meeting . a with Ray on 13 April 1964 77. Time, The Hemisphere | - Cuba, page 48, June 12, j964 78. Ibid. 79. Ibid. 80. Ihid! 81. CIA/DDO Ray Volume XIV, Cable to Director from JMWAVE, 5/20/64 and Ray Volume XV, Cable to Director from OMWAVE, 6/3/64 82. Time, The Hemispheré ~ Cuba, ‘page 48, June 12, 1964 83. Ibid. 84. Ibide 85. Ibid, 86... Ibid.: | 87. Ibid. 88. CIA/DDO, Ray Volume XIV, Memo for Record, 5/20/64 from ae Samuel Halpern, Subject: JURE Purchase of Arms - 89. Ibid: 90. Ibid, 91. CIA/DDO, Ray Volume XV, Memo for Record, 6/29/64 from Alfonso Rodriguez, Subject: Establishment of Base Abroad, Manuel Ray Rivero 92. CIA/DDO, Ray Volume XVI, Cable to Director £rom[IMBARR, ] 7/15/64 93. CIA/DDO, Ray Volume XVI, Wire service printout, Miami, Florida, July 24, 1964 94. CIA/DDO, Ray Volume XV, Memo for Record, 6/29/64 from Alfonso sasitie Subject: Establishment of Base Abroad, Manuel [a ¢ation: —_— 2061100 | Classified by derivation:
a) - aac dll Ae a ae ce i ma LF . @ Classification: Footnotes - Manuel Ray Rivero Page 6 (This form is to: be used for material extracted from ClA—controlled documents.) — . 95. CIA/DDO, Ray Volume.XVII, Autonomous Operations - Operating Plan — 96. CIA/DDO, Ray Volume XVII, Memo for Record, draft, | 9/22/64 from Alfonso Rodriguez 97. CIA/DDO, Ray Volume XVIII, Cable, Cite WH/Miami., #2233 6/4/69 98. Ibid. — | a | er 4 99. HSCA #009005, Memo to G. Robert Blakey, 6/28/78,/Interview @ with Manolo Ray Rivero, byFonzijcoasates CF K DOCUMENT 100. Ibid. = | | 004005) 101. Ibid. 2601101 Classification: | Classified by derivation: