HY RE: RAMIRO DE LA FE aka Captain Anton The following information was developed on February 8, 1968, by SA WILLIAM P, KELLY from PCI. JOHN ALEXANDER O° CONNELL : On February 8, 1968, PCI had a conversation with Haitian Consul at. Miami, EUGENE MAXIMILIEN. WAXIMILIEN claimed that "Captain ANTON , “ a@ white male Cuban, 34-36 years, about 6°1", or somewhat less, heavy build, dark hair, was recently convicted im Federal Court, Miami, in connection with the hijacking of a U. S. ship off Miami Beach. MAXIMILIEN stated “Captain ANTON” was the leader of the hijackers. (This. may be : referring to RAMIRO DE LA FE, one of the subjects in Miami file 45-1127.) Regarding “Captain ANTON ,*" MAXIMILIEN tated that this individual is currently locally engaged in “shaking . down” (extorting) money from umidentified Latin American Consuls _in Miami. MAXIMILIEN further stated that he believes “Captain . ANTON” to be the person responsible for recent bombings in the _ report to SA ROBERT G, STRONG : Miami area, including the bombing of the Mexican Consul's home, — According to MAXIMILIEN, “Captain ANTON": drives a. 1961 or 1962 Chevrolet, bearing Florida license 18W2221. On Jamuary 29, 1968, K There have been several exchanges of impressions and discussions among RAUL. GRAMATGES, PEDRO FERREIRO and MARTINIANO . ORTA, motivated by recent events in Cuba and here im Miami. Because of comments and opinions expressed im anti-CASTRO.. revolutionary groups in Miami, it is supposed that the recent dynamiting attacks are the work of one of these groups: (1) M.I.R.R. of ORLANDO BOSCH (if they were done with TNT). — co SECRET 4 roa) sffurasaned the a) 50957 Docld: 322794534 Page 21 |
HY Cy AN SECRET MM 149-425 RE: SERGIO FREIJO, aka., Sergio Freijo y Dedia, Carlos Salgado-Suarez, DOB 7/21/24, Havana, Cuba, Social Security  #457-70-8161 The following investigation was conducted by. SA JAMES D, HAYES: . ¢ . On JAMUArY 28, 1968, MM 724~ -s, an individual acquainted with certain phases ‘of both pro and anti-CASTRO activities im Cuba and the United States, advised SERGIO FREIJO was im the Miami area while released on bond. in . connection with the hijacking of the freighter transport. He stated FREIJO is am explosives expert and was well known in Cuba for his terrorist activities. He also advised FREIJO had been im comtact with members of the Cuban Youth of Ft. Jackson, am anti-CASTRO organization. ( IC) io 724-S recalled that the ‘Cuban youth of Fort — dackson group had seriously considered dividing into small cellular wnits im order to undertake positive action purportedly against communism and FIDEL CASTRO. Im this -comnection, they plammed te use codes, which included the names of individuals who were. actually im Cuba as pseudonyms, for either an operation or members of a cell. The organization planned to organize im a secretive active group within the organization with mot more than 4 or 5 men to a cell in this inter-group. In order to maintaim their anonymity, ome cell would undertake a certaim project for a short period of time and then cell number two would follew for another brief period of time and thereafter cell number three and number four, etc. Each time the cell which just completed the activity would move to the bottom of the list and become ~ completely inactive im every respect. This is being done for a two-fold purpose: (1) te continue secrecy regarding. the objectives, including secrecy among its own members and even between cells and (2) to prevent the local and/or Federal authorities from discovering their purpose and identity. 0K {ul at : 50957 Docld: 322794534 Page 22
HY MM 149-425 SEChe. ERNESTO DE LA FE, described as coordinator of "Los Accionistas de Cuba" (Actionists of Cuba) reportedly sent a communication to SERGIO FREIJO, giving FREIJO the signal to start activity against communism and CASTRO. No further details were mentioned in this comnection. MM 724-5 said ERNESTO DE LA FE is the brother of ROMERO DE LA FE, who is currently im the Miami area, released on bond from his. arrest in commection with the hijacking of the “freighter transport.” ERNESTO was the Minister of Press and Propaganda im the BATISTA Government and. General Secretary of an anti-. communist organization. nC, rrently serving a 30 year | sentence in prison in Cuba. AU) MM 724-S believed SERG ‘) FREIJO has recently been im contact with Cuban news reporter BENJAMIN DE LA VEGA, who may be aware of the reported communication received by FREIJO from ERNESTO DE LA FE. — The following information as obtained from. PCI. JESUS DIEGUEZ on February 23 and 27, 1968, by SA JAMES J. O* CONNOR: PCI related that SERGIO FREIJO “is the. typé to. work with Poder Cubano”, About a month ago FREIJO, who is employed at AGrodex, called PCI and inquired if the latter knew of a place in which a persom could be hidden out... A few months previously FREIJO imquired if PCI could obtain explosives. PCI stated he replied in the negative to a inquiries by FREIJO and that he did mot ask FREIJO what was going on. PCI advised that FREIJO has known him simce Cuba. —. During the revolutionary activity against President BATISTA, .. FREIJO was involved im a plot to kill a communist’ organizer named FABIO GRAUBART, and, at that time, FREIJO was hidden by a group which included the PCI. “PCI had lived in Chicago prior to the hijacking of the freighter “freight Forwarder” at Miami about September, 1967 by a group of Cubans headed by RAMIRO DE LA FE, ~ LL (SECRET 50957 Docld: 322794534 Page 23
HY Z { ~ MM 149-425 SECRET ww 492- Om The following ‘information was obtained by SA JAMES D, HAYES from MM 492-S and other sources close. to this informant (af YA) | a u) [on Fébruary 1, 1968, MM 492-8 advised| ANTONIO ARIAS announced over Spanish language radio station WF AB, Miami, at 7:50 AM, February 1, 1968, another Cuban Power communique had.been received at this radio station. . ; On February. 1, 1968, ANTONIO ARIAS advised bulletin number 2 of Cuban Power had been received at the station earlier that morning and he had made the announcement over the radio on one occasion comcerning its receipt at the station. - He advised he received it from OMAR MARCHANTE, employee, WFAB,- .who was on duty during the hours of LAM to 5AM. MARCHANTE - informed ARIAS the envelope had been pushed under the front door of the station and he had opened it and given it to ARIAS. MARCHANTE indicated he believed the envelope was left at the station at approximately 3:22 AM, February 1, 1968. ARIAS advised he bad left the envelope and the bulletin in a “° gpecial cabinet, for SERGIO VIDAL CAYRO who was in charge of - the station. (¥f)(U) On February 1, 1968, SERG 10 VIDAL CAYRO, Vice- President of the Umited Broadcasting Company of Florida and _: Director of Operations and Sales Manager of the Spanish * language radio station WFAB, Miami, personally appeared at the Miami Office. He furnished bulletin number 2 of Cuban Power and the envelope, explaining he did mot believe — anyone else had touched it except ARIAS and MARCHANTE, He also made available a four page notice given to him by “. ISRAEL SOTO BARROSO on January 26, 1968. He noted SOTO . . BARROSO had expressed a desire to personally appear on the radio over WFAB but because of his communist background and the fact he is a controversial figure currently associated with 50957 FELIPE RIVERO and the Cuban Nationalist Association, VIDAL. was holding this request im abeyance. SOTO BARROSO was accompanied by MIGUEL SAN PEDRO at the time he talked with . NN SECRET he. a Docld: 322794534 Page 24
HY 50957 MM 149-425 | SECRET Om February 1, 1968, MM 492-S advised a meeting was held on this date of the Cubam Pharmacists im Exile concerning the recent bombings attributed to this Cuban Power. He stated 29 individuals attended this meeting, including owners, mahagers or their representatives of various pharmacies in the Miami area. There was a great differemce of opinion among these individuals concerning the sending of parcels to Cuba; because of this controversy a committee was. formed consisting . of the representatives of the organization of Cuban Pharmacists in Exile, imcludinmg ANDRES RODRIGUEZ, owner. of Andres Pharmacy, Sth Avenue and West Flagler; CARLOS ACOSTA, Highland Park Pharmacy, 9th Street and NW 7th Avemue; Santa Clara Pharmacy, 8th Street and S. W. 23rd Avenue; “ANTORITO,” representative of the Hialeah Pharmacy. This committee was instructed to prepare a manifesto for the press im the mext day or so concerning a policy to be practiced by all members of this organization of Cuban Exile Pharmacists concerning the sending -of parcels to Cuba . (WY MM 492-S believed the manifesto will state the pharmacists will continue to send parcels to Cuba, however, they will be limited exclusively to sending medicine and small socks for Small children. The socks, which are not available im Cuba, cam help to clothe youngsters but also help. in the packing of the medicines. Further, MM 492-S believes they will strictly oppose the sending of any radio, electrical or automotive parts to Cuba. Further, news has been received from Cuba that FIDEL CASTRO’s communist govern- ment of Cuba has reportedly not permitted any packages to be delivered to the recipients in Cuba since the bombing of the Havana Post Office, January 8, 1968. Therefore, it is believed no parcels will actually be sent to Cuba by the pharmacists until they have been assured by relatives im Cuba that packages are being received by these relatives in mine) On February 1, 1988, GFNU) CEPERO, co-owner of Warfield Drugstore, 27th Avenue N, W. near. ath Street, advised they had received a threatening call concerning the — sending of packages to, Cuba a week or so 280. No further. details svaliabie. (eA y\ On February 1, 1968, VIRGILIO (LNG) , co-owner of Warfield Drugstore, confidentially advised EM 492-8 he believes ROLANDO MERULO, member of the CNM, might possibly be imvolved im the threat concerning ceasing of sending ~ \ parcels to Cuba. He stated OTTO MERULO, brother of ROLANDO, (w) PP SECRET Docld: 322794534 Page 25
HY 50957 MM 149-425 SECRET is reportedly serving a 15 year sentence in prison in Cuba. However, OTTO is reportedly the indoctrinator of Communism to the prisoners ./¥/ VU) VIRGILIO (LNU) also informed MM 492-S ome night he received am anonymous call tryimg to scare him into not sending packages to Cuba. When he asked the anonymous caller why he should not send and indicating that he would cohtinue to do so until he is forced to stop, the caller hung up. VIRGILIO believed highly significant and possibly more tham mere coincidence the following morning ROLANDO KERUL©O and another member of the staff of the newspaper ; “EL Nacionalista” appeared at the store attempting to sell am ad for the "El Nacionalista” newspaper. VIRGILIO stated they took an ad im the paper at that time. He also advised MIGUEL SAN PEDRO, active leader of the CNM, is a customer at the Warfield Drugstore. VIRGILIO described the anonymous — caller as a Cuban male who spoke perfect Spanish with Cuban 7 inflection. He did mot know the name of the individual but. indicated the voice seemed very familiar to him and he woul remain alert should he hear this voice nei RNY) os On February 5, 1968, MM 492-S furnished SA JAMES D.] ‘HAYES the following report om Cuban Power and bombings in the Miami area, along with informant's comments and conclusions: The newspaper “PATRIA,” which is directed by ' ARMANDO GARCIA SIFREDO, has always been opposed to terrorism, possibly because SIFREDO was one of the first © victims of gunmen and terrorism in Miami. First, there was a bomb which exploded in fromt of his house some time ago. Then, he was playing dominoes on the porch of the home of his friend, VIVANCOS, S. W. Sth Avenue. between 3rd and 4th | Streets, and several shots were aimed at him from an auto. . Later, another bomb exploded under his car. Om another occasion, an unknown person hit him with his fists as he | was leaving a restaurant, amd for a long time he received telephone calls from anonymous persons who threatened to kill him because of the partiality shown in his newspaper “PATRIA” which sometimes defemded General BATISTA amd. his friends, at other times opposed. the Fidelistas, possible infiltrees, the people who keep coming in, etc. , QG CRET ce ee — - -—. wee eee oe _ yy Docld: 322794534 Page 26
HY 50957 jae a MM 149-428 SECRET SOTO BARROSO spoke of unity as a basis, and he considered FELIPE RIVERO DIAZ and CARLOS MARQUEZ STERLING as the best leaders, along with mem like JOAQUIN MARTINEZ SAENZ and others. He said that the factory workers will join RIVERO and MARQUEZ STERLING and other organizations will continue to get closer to these two figures, jim exile in order to form complete wiity among the exiles. KH) On the afternoon of February 5, 1968, sometime after §, the Continental News Broadcast, which is directed by Commentator NORMAN DIAZ om WHIE, announced that it was going to transmit a letter from Cuban Power, and simce MM 492-S could not get in touch with the contact there, he prepared a. recording and was able to record the reading of the document — Signed by Cuban Power «(¥) ) He advised he had the reel with the od: (5 1) all the items which were broadcast were recorded. He advised he could tell in advance mod Cw Power took the blame for the bomb which exploded in Havana, Cuba, for the others, and for the one which exploded under the plane at the Miami Airport, but refused to take the blame for the bomb placed under the auto of the Mexican Consul in. Miami, Mr. REYES SPINDOLA, and explains that it did not participate im ot Mn) We de not know which ones they are referring to. & VN) NORMAN DIAZ has the letter referred to, but source has not been able to speak to him. Neither has he been able to talk to SERGIO VIDAL to find out. if he also received the press memorandum from Cuban Power. (eZ) ae It appears that Cuban Power is somewhat. frightened - by the investigations and the action of justice, and this may be the reason for the document which was broadcast on the afternoon of February 5, 1968, according to MM 492-s. Fy (u) 4 VV ‘seep Docld: 322794534 Page 27
| eT é Ne RE: Anonymous Telephone call to Radio Station WQAM, regarding. the bombings in Miami Om _ January 25, 1968 ‘ROBERT KAY, Ammoumcer, WQAM Radio Station, Miami, Florida, received a telephome call at 5:30 AM, January 25, 1968, which conversation was recorded by KAY. On January 29, 1968 fir (a15)3f Shlistened to this (€) recording and stated the ealler so zshiis that of ANGEL ESTEVEZ of the Second National Front of the Escambray (SNFE). However, the informant could mot..be definite in his identification. MM 1249-PSI listened to the recording on January 29, 1968. This informant stated the voice of the anonymous caller sounded like that of ERNESTO LEDO of the Cuban Nationalist Association (CNA) which is headed by FELIPE RIVERO. Informant stated he could mot make a positive. identification regarding the anonymous caller. On January 26, 1968, TOMAS GARCIA FUSTE, who has requested his identity be protected, who is Assistant. Station Manager and Anmouncer of Radio Station WFAB, reviewed the recording of the anonymous caller. FUSTE was unable to identify the anonymous caller. — On January 26, 1968, OSCAR ANGULO REYES, 2900 N. W. 92nd Street, Miamd , a Radio Announcer for Radio Station WHIE, Miawd , and his wife, listened to the taped | recording of the anonymous caller. ANGULO and his wife | tentatively. identified the voice of..the caller as that of ORLANDO BOSCH AVILA, with whom they are acquainted | | V\/W SECRET Fre HY 50953 Bocld: 32294534 Page 23