Originator: HSCA
Document date: 10/27/1978
Document type: REPORT

## Page 1

180-10142-10224

2022, RELEASE UNDER THE PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY ASSASSINATION RECORDS ACT OF 1992

MANUEL RAY RIVERO

FOLDER

24

#12

Manuel Rà! Rivero was born in Cuba in 1924. (HSCA#009005

Memo to G. Robert Blakey, 6/28/78, Interview with Manolo Ray

Rivero from Fonzi/Gonzales) Ray has been described as softspoken,

unassuming, almost humble -- a natural leader of the highest

intellect, sincerity and conviction. (CIA/DDO Manuel Ray Rivero

Volume II, Cable to Director from MASH, 11/17/60) In 1947, be-

cause of his outstanding performance as a civil engineer, he was

granted a scholarship by the Cuban Ministry of Public Works to

pursue graduate studies in engineering at the University of Utah.

(HSCA 006468, P. 9, Item 8, FBI Manolo Ray References, Section 2)

Ray was in the United States for two years but did not complete

his work for a masters degree. (Ibid)

During this period, it has been

alleged that Ray was

friendly with members

of the Puerto Rican group which plotted to

assassinate President

Truman, (CIA/DDO Loose Document, Dispatch

to Deputy Chief, WH/SA from COS/JMWAVE, 4/14/64, Mexico D.F.

Classified Secret. From an

undercover source with cryptonym,

(AMSHOT/1) Upon receipt of this

information in 1964, Ray's Kase

officer questioned the reliability of the information. AscA

researcher endeavored to identity source as was told that (ansHot/s)

was still a current asset in

1978)

and a good friend of Puerto

Rican Communist

Pedro Albi/zu Campos. VIbid) It was further alleged

that he was in frequent contact with Puerto Ricans who were working

on the renovation of the White House. (Ibia) The assassination

attempt of President Truman occurred at Blair House, across the

street from the White House.

The Trumans were using this home as

an official residence until such time as

the White House rennovation

was completed.

This rather bizarre story surfaced

1964 and the

142-10224

---

## Page 2

Ray - page 2 10/27/78

information

I was disseminated to the Secret

Service (HSCA 008290, Item 3) and

the FBI (HSCA 006468, Item 5).

in 1949,

When Ray returned

to Cuba, he held

various positions in

the engineering field, one of which was project manager for the

53

construction of the Havana Hilton Hotel. (HSCA 006468, P. 9, Item

8, Manolo Ray References, FBI, Section 2)

In May 1957, he organized the Civic Resistance Moment

which supervised sabotage and acts of terrorism against the regime

of Cuban President Batista. (HSCA 009005 Memo to G. Robert Blakey,

6/28/78, Interview of Manolo Ray Rivero from Fonzi/Gonzales) Fidel

Castro appointed Ray Minister of Public Works in February 1959.

(Ibid

He confided to two anti-Castro Cubans in April 1959 that he recognized

the symptoms of Communism in the Castro regime but was not prepared

56

to conspire against "El Lider Maximo". (Give Us This Day, Popular

Library Edition, E. Howard Hunt, p. 91) Ray was relieved of his

official position in November 1959 (HSCA 005990, P. 2, FRust

Correlation Study, Manolo Ray, File #97-4546, Section 1)Mbut con-

For whatever rearow, Ray

continued to permit his name to be associated with the Castro regime

#10

(Give Us This Day, E. Howard Hunt, Popular Library Edition, p.92)

until he formed

the Revolutionary Movement of the People (MRP)

arfound May 1960

(HSCA #009005 - Interview)

The MRP was an anti-Castro organization which believed

that the ideas and aims of the democratic left best suited the

TIL

needs and aspirations of the Cuban people. (CIA/DDO, Ray Vol VI,

9 June 1962 study of program for liberation of Cuba submitted by

Ray) The MRP did not wish to reinstate the 1940 Cuban Constitution

---

## Page 3

10/27/78

INSERT

#1

_ Manuel Ray

No definite reason for this severence has 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 Cabinet meeting! (CIA/DDO Ray Vol VII, Memo from

Jack Malone, former manager, Kings Ränch, Cubal, dated July 16,

1962) Another theory which came to the attention of the CIA was

that Ray resigned because of his opposition tane plan to shoot

Cuban revolutionary hero, Hubert Matos, as a traitor: ichA/DDO,

Ray Vol IV, Information

2 Report, March 16, 1961, Subject: Background,

Character and Economic Concepts of Manuel Ray Rivero)

---

## Page 4

se lane was cunstuered the toremost underground group in

Cuba, organized in each of the six provinces. (NYTimes,

April 10, 1961, Castro Foes Map Multiple Forays by Tad Szulc)

Working in tightly organized cells, the leadership in one

province did nto know the identities of members in any of

PR.18.

the others. (ibid) The Cuban saboteurs were supplied with

explosives sent by launches from the Florida Keys and delivered

on Cuban beaches. (ibià)

---

## Page 5

Ray - page 3 - 10/27/78

and favored continuation of the laws passed by Castro at the

beginning of his regime.

inniestment

They favored the regulation of private

20(044004

utilities and nationalization of all utilities. (CIA/DDO Ray Vol II,

Cable to Director from MASH) Associated with Ray in this under-

ground organization were Raul Chibas, Ramon Barquin, Rogelio

it,5

Cisneros, (CIA/DDO Ray Vol II, Organization of MRP) Rufo Lopez

16

Fresquet and Felipe Pazos (Give Us This Day, E. Howard Hunt, PLEd.

p. 92)

Ray was criticized as a tardy adherent to the anti-Castro

14-1673 20

movement

(Ibid p. 92) and charges of "Fidelism without Fidel" were

made against him and the MRP bacause of their leftist ideologies.

(CIA/DDO RaY VO1 II, Contact Report From(wallace Parlett) 10/17/60,

Subject: Meeting with (Juan Estevez)and Jorge Berufs,) 10/13/601

For these reasons, his background was questioned by some in the

5148+922

State Department (CIA/DDO Ray Vol 1, Memo to WilyChief form Acting

Chief, WH 9/27/60, Subject: State Approval to Include Manuel Ray

4498923

Rivero into the FRD Complex) and the Miami CIA office (CIA/DDo,

Rạy Vol I, Cable from MASH to WH/9, 9/29/60) when, in the summer

of 1960, he was actively being recruited by the CIA in Cuba to

become a member of the FRD, a newly formed anti-Castro organization

24 520E CAIDDO Ray VOL I Cable fo Mach 2W8/9,9129/60

sponsored by the CIA.

(cite) The Agency considered him an important

14+7z35

political asset (CIA/DDO Ray Vol I, Summer 1960) and facilitated

his clandestine entrance into the united states ¡ClA/bDo Ray Vol II,

Cable to Director from MASH, 11/5/60) On NOvember 10, 1960 (ClA/DDE22

Ray Vol II, Cable

to Director from JMASH, 11/11/60) •

---

## Page 6

Ray - page 4 - 10/27/78

Doubts arose within the CIA as to Ray's political

АХХІЕ/ДЛА/|/$/compatibility to United States Government

policy. In a Memo for Record dated 11/21/60, it was reported

that,

about."

•.. Ray did not politically represent anything to cheer

144-2528

(CIA/DDO Ray Vol II, Memo for Record, 11/21/60, Subject:

Meeting with King and Esterline on Subject of Handling MRP) An-

other CIA officer who met privately with Ray in November 1960

stated that his political posture was doubtful as far as U.s.

186-29

Government acceptance is concerned (CIA/DDO Ray Vol II, Cable

to Director from MASH, 11/17/60) and and additional assessment

stated that Ray was so far "left" in his thinking that he would

1862730

be as dangerous to U.S. interests as Castro. (CIA/DDO Ray Vol V,

Memo for Record, 2 June 1961, Subject: Relations with Manolo Ray

and the MRP from

(James: A. Noel)

Prominent exiled Cubans also expressed negative information

about Ray, described by one exile as highly dangerous because of

his ambition to play a prominent role in the Cuban government after

Castro's overthrow. (CIA/DDo, Ray Vo1 II, Memo for Record, fahn De

peters) 11/8/60, Subjest: Contact Report on Meeting with (Rogelie

Gomater)) De. Jose Miro Cardona, President of the FRD, was

1988-31

opposed to Ray, believing his program was too Marxist (CIA/DDO

Ray Vol III, Information Report from U.S. Citizen, Free-lance

writer and part-time sugar broker, 12/22/60) and also stated that

Ray was bitterly anti-American as well as probably totalitarian in

34592932

his thinking. (CIA/DDO, Ray Vol IV, Memo to S - Dr. Berle from

ARA - Philip W. Bonsal, March 16, 1961, Subject: Recent Cuban

Developments) Manuel Artime, head of the MRR, advised that Ray's

---

## Page 7

Page 6 A

Ray withdrew from the CRC shortly after the Bay of Pigs

invasion. In

a Miami new conference on May 28, 1961, 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

4o 3t 49

joining the organization. (NYTimes, 5/28/61, One Cuban Group

Quits Exile Body by Sam Pope Brewer) The first condition had

been that the council was to give first priority to the under-

ground fighters in Cuba during the Bay of Pigs invasion.

Secondly, Ray had insited that anyone too closely associated with

the Batista regime would not be used in the invasion and

lastly, he was to have been allowed prior approval before

4194-37

any military leader of the invasion was named. (Ibid) Ray told

the assembled newsmen that his program to overthrow Castro

was based on maximum mobilization of the discontented people

inside Cuba and that the leadership of this underground should

come from Cubans who could prove they had such a potential

4292.78

force.

(ibid)

43 m-39

Ray then sought CIA support independing of the Council, ()

explaining to Agency personnel that the MRP did have an

effective underground organization but needed material and

financial support.

'Ray felt it nessary for his organization

to be allowed to plan its own

operations and broaden its base

of financial support to include sympathetic Latin American

governments.

He was totally opposed to any future invasion

attempt.

---

## Page 8

Inart ou Peger i, its, - Ricy.

He explainie to ageney pinint that

The mRp had an effiction underground

organization tele Cuba hit meded Mateues

and penancial support from the Cit it D

# 0923)

He servented his decis

operate

indeperly fads to bes is tintel of

the MARP independly

Bay tiet

www.operationeauk.troadew

pol i any future esta

i maintaining thirt intere rent would

---

## Page 9

he the only way to so tiece like

from the @camunatic.

Castro. Phil the

bup sitial 150,000 for operational

SUWAVE. Thay 4,1961, 571312) coul hay pledgert.

scesty and austerity. (C1A/000 Pay Vers, Cable I

#0923

erupted at CIA headquarters beeruse it

was felt within the lecter Here terr

tive that Ray chid not the pedece

any substantial to

militar actions against

Cartso" (EiN/DD Ray Voh II, Menne fou Rical, Inky 5,461

from Calvin It sike wHI/ pa/Orations Ray was

arked to submit a "prospectus" If his plane

for the WARP and adand that no financial

help would be foithcoming

for decord fune 2,1961. hem Dames a Niel)

---

## Page 10

While there, the hist

Exacate

leaders of the MRP interpround in Cler enl

a slalment that Ray the was demisint as

July 17,1961 - Rey sens CHe For Enate is Ete

CA of manurery to cecile i wen kin the

his "sevocable" resignation.

---

## Page 11

DRAFT - Ray - 10/27/78

Page 6 B

The Miami CIA station recommended Ray be given an

initial $50,000 for operational expenses

(): and reaction

at headquarters was immediate. Within 24 hours a Memo for the

Record was circulated objecting to the Miami Station's

recommendation, reflecting the feeling that Ray did not ever

produce any substantial military actions against Castro.

was asked to submit a "prospectus" of his plans for the MRP

advised that no financial help would be forthcoming until such

a plan was reviewed.

Ray

Went 4 Querto Pice Ex July 1761,

Kupport for the MRP

from the Gowner te poet

that island, Tues Mung Marin,

CIA/DDO Reg

initianone stems desce with h. Mice 18 to

While in Puerto Rico, a member of the MRP underground

in Cuba met-with-the-National-Exeeative-of-the-MRP-in-Miami

and reported to-them that he had been in contact with the

CIA who made it clear that no material resources would be

available from them for the MRP struggle within Cuba until

Manuel Ray was dismissed as general coordinator. (NYTImes,

July 17, 1961, Cuba Exile Group Criticizes C.I.A. by Peter

Kihss)

Charging the CIA with repeated interference in their

affairs, Ray resigned his post to eliminate any obstacle to

1552

the group's cohesion. (ibid)

---

## Page 12

freises.

DRAFT - Ray - 10/27/78

Page 7

Force W. from Alfonso Rodriguez, July 12, 1962, Subject: Manolo

Ray Rivero, Ray freely admitted that this group would

with cha che due utamaroly may to dominate i e pi see

Concurrent with his/activities, Ray began giving in-

formation to the CIA regarding possible recruitment or defection

68 ST

of Castro officials.

(CIA/DDO VOL VII, Cable July 25, 1962) He

discussed plans with the CIA to approach the cuban Ambassador to

Mexico (Ibid) The CIA decided he had capabilities along these

lines and his case officer recommended he be given $84,700 over

a six month period to set up an intelligence network inside Cuba

and create a recruitment or defection capability in selected

Latin American countries. (CIA/DDo Ray Vol VII, Memo to Chief,

Task Force W from Alfonso Rodriguez, Aug. 24, 1962, Subject:

Operational Use of Ray Expenditure of Funds) The degree of Ray's

success in this area is not documented, but his efforts continued

into the summer of 1963 and involved recruitment activities in

69 6364

france fang Belgzum in June. CIA/DDO Ray Vol Ix, Cable to Director.

from Paris

June 19, 1963,

#772721 (See 10/30/18 notes-add hera)

It was also in June I963 that the CIA inaugurated the

concept of Autonomous Operations, under which JURE could be

to channeling money

Vol XVI, Memo to Director from Chief/WH Division, July 9, 1964,

Subject: Chronology of Concept of Autonomous Operations and Summary

of Financial Support to Manuel Artime) and military operations

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## Page 13

12 (ASCA

009005

DRAFT - Ray - 10/27/78

Page

8

636665

were initiated. (CIA/DDO Ray Vol X, Memo for Record, 8/23/63

from Alfonso Rodriguez, Subject: Ray, Contact Report) Rogelio

Cisneros was the JURE coordinator for these military operations.

EATHSCA $009005, p. 7, Memo to G. Robert Blakey, 6/28/78, Interview

with Manolo Ray Rivero by Fonzi/Gonzales)

Operating under the Rules of Engagement of the

Autonomous Operations, Cisneros felt that JURE was not obligated

to report its military or political plans to the CIA but that the

agency was obligated to finance JURE's purchase of military

6984

equipment. (CIA/DDO Ray Vol X - Cable to Director from JWAVE,

September 11, 1963) The group, at this time, was receiving

$25,000 monthly from the CIA (CIA/DDO, Ray Vol X, Memo for Record,

8/23/63 from A. Rodriguez Subject: Ray Contact Report)

By the fall of 1963, Ray was devoting his full time to

JURE (CIA/DDo Ray Vol XI, Draft, October 4, 1963 by Rodriguez,

Subject: Manuel Ray Rivero) and travelled extensively in Latin

Is to gainsupport the which would allow

merican countries inconnection with the groups activities. fuse

"(vor It Cable to Chief, SA Stage

fu.ImWAVE/ES, 10/27/63)

anato Ray Rivero by Fonzi/Gonzalesk On the 22nd of November,

1963, the day President Kennedy was assassinated,

Ray said he and

Cisneros were at a JURE meeting in Caracas

Ray was

actively engaged in mounting an infiltration attempt into Cuba

during this time period

ECIA/DDO RaY

VO1 XI, Memo for Record from

Alfonso Rodriguez, Subject: Meeting/

with Ray in St. Thomas on

31

the fIA made plans to cache

louis no at o. (i A 1879, lea5, 4, 987 5-14545-50, Regalio

Deas, Report of Francis 9. O'Brien, MYC., 1231/63 Title: JURE)

---

## Page 14

DRAFT - Ray - 10/27/78

Page

military supplios for JuRE on Roncador Cay/on November 25, 1963.

(CIA/DDO Ray Vol XI, Memo for Record from

Alfonso Rodriguez,

December 18, 1963) but the JURE ship Eailed to fendesvous with

the CIA vessel and no satisfactory explanation for the failure

to do so was given by Ray. (Ibid)

No documentation is contained

in Ray's files at the CIA to indicate whether or not that agency

endeavored to investigate JURE's failure to successfuly complete

their part of the operation but by January 1961, the organtzation

was making plans to move their operations to-costa Ried (CIA/DDO,

Ray Vol XIT, Cable to Director From UMWAVE,- dated January 14, 1964)

Governor-Marin-of-Puerto-Rieo-pledged-to-give-Ray-double-any

amount-of-money-

---

## Page 15

DRAFT - RaY - 10/27/78

Page 10

In January 1964, Ray's organization was making plans

to move their operations to costa Rica ¡CIA/Do Ray Vol XII,

Cable to Director from JMWAVE, 1/14/64) and establish a

8774

guerrilla training base in Venezuela (CIA/DDo Ray Vol XII,

Intelligence Information Cable, 2/4/64) Ray also began to

formulate plans for his infiltration into Cuba at this time

15 CA/000 Ray VoL XIII, Cable to Director From JMWAVE, 3/28/61) and

indicated he would turn the operation of JURE over to Rogelio

Cisneros during the period of his absence. lEa/DDo Ray Vol XIII

Memo for Chief, WH Division, 4/14/64 from Alfonso Rodriguez,

Subject: My Meeting with Ray on 13 April 1964) His plan did not

reach fruition and Ray and his group were arrested by the British

F7778

near Cayo Largo and taken to Nassau for a short detention.

(CIA/ DDC

Vol XV, Cable to Director from JMWAVE, June 3, 1964) The failure

of Ray's infiltration attempt and resultant publicity brought

his prestige among the Cuban exile community to a "near-absolute

4t?9

low point."

(CIA/DDO Ray Vol XV, Cable to Director from JMWAVE,

6/10/64)

Compounding Ray's credibility troubles, the МАДНД

revelation by the FBI and U.S. Treasury that JURE had illegally

9=80

purchased $50,000 worth of arms from a California company (CIA/DDO

Ray Vol XIV, Memo for Record, 5/20/64 from Samuel Halpern, Subj:

JURE Purchase of Arms) caused the CIA considerable embarrassment.

8t

(Ibid) The Agency denied knowledge of the arms purchase when

queried by Revenue officials and, because of the autonomous nature

---

## Page 16

Invert Iw In order o re-estable his

lost creditate,

, Bay tried once again in July 1964

A infiltrate Cuba, but his boat, the M/UTrue,

develoked motor trouble o the plan was

chasted. CErA/DDO Ray VOL SIT, Cable d Sector

from UMBARR), July 15,1964) This mis adventure

was gretel wich relatie indiffermer bents

He Cuban epiles in the Miami area, CeroDo, Es

Ray MotIVE, Cable & Dei frone MALE, July 18, 1964)

epile grous & withdraw

frone dURE (CIA/DRO Ray VoL SIL, Win eunice

printout, seami, Slouday, July 24,1764)

---

## Page 17

DRAFT - Ray - 10/27/78

Page 11

of its relationship with JURE, did not make any attempt to stop

revenue's investigation. Tibial bet th

This combination of events led a special group within

the CIA to cancel any monies

to Ray until he ceased all activities

8648981

from the U. S. Mainland. (CIA/DDo Ray Vol XV, Memo for Record,

29 June 1964 from Alfonso Rodriguez, Subject: Establishment of

Base Abroad, Manuel Ray Rivero)

A final payment

of $75,000 was

made to JuRE at the end of 1964 POSA/ODO Ray VOI XVII, autonomous

Operations

- Operating Plan) and JURE books were closed at the

7388

CIA. (CIA/DDo Ray Vol XVII, Memo for Record, draft, 9/22/64,

Alfonso Rodriguez)

f is

Frette Rice

Pay Kept 1is9 34t

agenzation teetter

# 1235 i 9in 64) ütttergle it coss

maintain

no douartin, dilate

People's

Revelationa Pay, in mor

hoping

cinite Pastic Movement (HSCA 101005 Mind E BRy, i/i

Shits in retic Than Ray. Rinse

Juled I make in impact 53 sent

---