Evening star., 1961-01-17
Castro Regime
Shields Moves
Against Rebels


But it announced execution of
three more "terrorists" in Ha-
vana and openly purged oppo-
sition in labor unions.
The executions, which raised
the unofficial total to $50 since
Mr.. Castro took power, were
the first since he announced
those responsible for recent
bombings and sabotage would
be dealt with most severely.
Shot early today in Havana's
La Cabana Fortress were Juan
Mesa Lopez and Julio Llevra
Suarez. accused of counter
revolutionary and terrorist ac-
tivities" and Balbino Emilio
DiaZ. charged with attempting
to kill pro-Castro Commentator
Jose Pardo Llada last fall.
Levra Suarez also was ac-
cused Of spying for the United
States Government, but no de-
tails were announced.
Others Await Trials
They had been convicted less
than IL hours earlier. La Ca
bana was jammed with an un-
disclosed number of prisoners
awaiting trial for anti-Castro
activities.
On the heels Of a warning to
the bus drivers union to close
ranks behind the Castro revo-
luton. the Labor Ministry dis
missed $50 employees Of the re-
Gently nationalized Cuban Elec-
trio Co. No official reason was
given but the workers said they
were fired for being "unpatri-
otic" and potentially dangerous
to loyal workers.
The dismissed workers dem
onstrated briefly yesterday in
front Of company headquarters.
They are members of the elec-
trical workers union. hundreds
Of whose members marched on
the Presidential Palace last De-
cember in protest against Com
munist attempts to take over
the union. Union leaders were
purged Immediately. and a
wave Of sabotage against elec-
trio lines followed.
Officials would give no re-
ports on the progress Of the
offensive in the Escambray
Mountains of Las Villas Prov
ince. However, Mr.. Castro's
office denied he was directing
the military operation and
termed absurd a report that as
many as 10000 government
troops were trying to round up
1000 rebels.
Guerrillas Far Outnumbered
It is unofficialIy estimated
that 10000 to $4,000 militia
men are massed against 500
to 1000 anti Castro guerrillas
operating IN the mountains.
There was no government
reaction to the United States
ban on travel by most Ameri-
cans to Cuba. Mr.. Castro pos
sibly will retaliate by further
tightening the already stiff
control on Cubans travelling to
the United States.
The United States ban will
limit Mr.. Castro's attempts to
organize support for his cause
In the United States. 1t will
prevent him from bringing in
handpicked groups Of students.
educators and Negro leaders
for free tours which In the
past have turned out to be
indoctrination courses.
All but special categories Of
Americans. such as newsmen
and businessmen with previ-
ously established connections
in Cuba. will be prevented from
travelling to Cuba. The United
States State Department said
this restriction is necessary be-
cause with the United States
Embassy in Havana closed the
Government cannot guarantee
normal protection to its citi-
zens in Cuba.
Black Market Active
The United States ban pos
sibly was directed also at
American black marketeers
who. according to American
businessmen in Havana, have
been arranging for vitality need
ed supplies to be shipped to
Cuba via Canada. <e.sar, ~
Cuba, continued to show
signs Of invasion jitters, though
the semiofficial newspaper Rev.
olucion reported the. demobil-
ization Of some militiamen
called up to repel the invaders
Mr.. Castro had promised were
coming. It was reported D
Guiana airliner was fired on
by militiamen as it arrived in
Havana on a night flight from
Santiago. Guards still were
posted around the former Tex
AGO oil refinery in Santiago.