Originator: HSCA
From: CIA
Document date: 00/00/0000
Document type: REPORT

## Page 1

180-10147-10185

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

(This toMANDo BeltseD ERRaterial extracted

from CIA -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

1

conviction" - in other words, a natural leader.

In 1917,

the 23-year old Ray was granted a scholarship by the Cuban

Ministry of Public Works to study civil engineering at the

2

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. 3

Reacting to the excesses of the military iule oi

Fulgencio Batista, Ray organized the Civic Resistance Movement

in 1957 and began supervising sacotage and acts of terrorism

4

against the government.

His political posture and active

resistance to Batista was recognized by Fidel Castro who,

upon assuming control of the government of Cuba, appointed

5

Ray his Minister of Public Works

in February 1959. within a

Few months of his appointment, Ray confided to trio acti-Castro

Cubans that he had

recognized the symptoms of Conmunism- in

the Castro regime but was not prepared to conspire ainst

"El Lider Maximo."

6

Pay's

tenure in Castro's governent was short-laved.

7

vas relieved of his official position in Novenber 1959.

Classification:

He

NO

Classified by derivation:

Central Intelligence Agency

has no Objection to Release

Date: ASSANITIZED

2003

sui?

10147-10185

---

## Page 2

DRAFT - 11/3/7ClassPdtiBt: Rivero

B. Palmer - pace

(This'

form is to be used for material extracted

definite reasofromodAthiatrededomatsas 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 (MRP)?

The MRP wassanti-Castro organization which believed that

the ideas and aims of the democratic left best suited the

needs and aspirations of the Cuban people.12 It did not wish

to reinstate the 1940 Cuban Constitution, rather it favored

continuation of the laws passed by Castro at the beginning of

his regime 3

and advocated the regulation of private investment

and nationalization of all utilities. 14 Associated with Ray

in this underground organization were Raul Chibas, Ramon

Barguin, Rogelio Cisneros, 15 Rufo Lopez Fresquet and Felipe

Pazos. 16

Organized

in each of Cuba's six provinces, the MRP was

considered the most important underground group. It working

in tightly organized cells, the leadership. in one province

ras unaware of the identities of their counterparts in othei

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## Page 3

dage

3

Classification: =

in other provittesform is Hebnedegagedridnedrated of sabotage

from CIA - controlled documents.)

and was supplied with explosives sent by launches from the

19

Florida Keys.

Having waited until May, 1960 to organize his resistance

group, Ray

was criticized as being suspiciously tardy to the

anti-Castro movement. 20 Chargés of "Fidelism without Fidel"

were made against him and the MRP because of their leftist

ideologies. 21

Perhaps for these reasons, Ray's background

was questioned by some in the State Department 22

and the Miami

station?3

the

when, an the summer of 1960, he wasbeing de-

1l.

cruited by the CIA in

Cuba to become a member of the Exente

Revolucionario Democratico

any ordanti-castro

131

organization, sponsored by the CIA.

the Agenay considered him

"I' an important political asset?

and facilitated his clandestine

5 entrance into the United States 26

27

on November 10, 1960.

MISSEY CEN

1t.

Nevertheless, there was internal confliet within the

will

CiA about Ray's political compatibility # United States

government policy. In a cIA memo for Record, dated November 21,

114, 2960, one Agency officer declared, "... Ray did not politically

20

represent anything to cheer-about "28 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

29

was concerned,

and a further assessment portrayed Ray as so

far "left in his thinking that he would be as dangerous to

u.s. interests as Castro30

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## Page 4

DRAFT - MANUELCRaSSPALERIOn: 11/3/78

Page 4

(This form is to be used for material extracted

Some protioreftA Cubatrolleshigesntalso expressed negative

opinions about Ray, among them DI. Jose Miro Cardona, president

of the FRD. Miro opposed Ray because he considered his

program too Marxist31 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 avare of his controversial political

philosophy, the ell continued to astively recruit day to join

the ERp?A because the White House and State Department pushed

for his inclusion. 35

Ray received full operational approval as a "political

asset" on February 7, 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

of the CRC were too restrained and he did not want to become

a part of a situation in which someone else was running the

show for the exiles. 37 However, Three weeks before the Bay of

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 avare of the fact that certain in-

fluential and wealthy Americans, among them former Ambassador

william Pawley, were opposed to him and that a lot of heavy

propaganda was hangestigrated aceusing him of being a

Conmunist. 39

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## Page 5

MassiTicatIOn:

DRAFT - MANUELTRATORIVERO be Isad 3167 Saterial extracted

Page 5

from ClA-controlled documents.)

Ray withdrew from the CRC shortly after the Bay of Pigs

invasion. In a Miami news 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

joining the organization. 40

The first condition had been that

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 assemblea

newsmen 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

come from Cubans who could prove they had access to such a

potential force.

42

Ray sought CIA support for the MRP independent of the

Council, 43 claiming that the group had an effective underground

organization but needed material and financial support.

44 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. 15 He was totally opposed to another

large invasioncitsemitation:

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## Page 6

DRAFT - MANUEL ChYsSIfEaTion?1/3/78

Page: 6

(This form is to be used for material extracted

The Miamifrenn tarralledeesumentsed Ray be given an

initial $50,000 for operational expenses.47 Reaction at

CIA headquarters was immediate: Within 24 hours a Memo Fo

the record was circulated, objecting to the Miami stationis

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, 50

While Ray was in Puerto Rico, a member of the MRP underground

in Cuba reported to the MRP Exécutive Council that he had been

in contact vith the CIA and was told by the Ageney that no

material resources would be available for the group until

Manuel. Ray was dismissed as general coordinator 51 Charging

the CEA

with repeated interference in the affairs of the MRP,

Ray resigned so that there wouldn't be any obstacle to the

group's cohesion. 52

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. 53

Although there was no evidence

that the Puerto Rican goveinment was supporting the MRP, Ray

was looked upon with great favor by Puerto Rican officials 54

and he endeavoreass isatista the May viti cuban exiles residing

there. 55

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## Page 7

1

DRAFT - Manuel Ray Rivero,

Page' 9

Classitication:

Ray's plan wagallaged uneit mageratewhen time he quit

from ClA- controlled documents.)

his job in Puerto Rico and' dropped out of sight?? His in-

filtration plans were known throughout the Miami Cuban exile

community.

Soon the story spread to Cuba where Castro ordered

a full-scale military alert and rounded up scores of suspected

79

Ray supporters.

After several days of bad weather and dodging Cuban patrol

boats, Ray and his crew of seven,

including a reporter-

photographer team

from LIFE magazine,

81 landed at the :

82

Anguilla Cays, 40 miles off the Cuban coast.

There Ray

intended to make a final equipment check and a final radio

83

transmission.

Because of their proximity to Cuba, the Anguilla Cays

were heavily patrolled by Castro forces and by the British who

84

owned them.

The British discovered Ray and his group and

their cache. of weapons

and explosives, arrested them for illegal

entry into the Bahamas and took them to Nassau.

85 The minimal

fine of $14 was levied on each member of the group and each

was admonished to never tresspass again.

Upon his release, Ray said that he was as determined as

ever to infiltrate Cuba: "Fidel knows me," he said, "and he

knows I'm comina" 8y

Classification:

Classified by derivation:

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## Page 8

Page 9'10

..:

(This form is to be used for material extracted

Compoundingm Ray sopfaladeusincas.) the reyelation by the fBI

and U.S. Treasury that Rogelio Cisneros had illegally purchased

$50,000

worth of arms fox JURe from a California arms manu-

facturer.

It also caused the erA considerable embarrassment.

The Agency: denied knowledge of the parchive to Revente

officials and, Because of the autonomous nature of its relation-

ship with JURE, a at mata felt a see stop n

was told

investigation.

The Ayency nom, howaver, tald Ray that he

I would have to move all his operations outside U. S- territory, 82?'

In order to shore up his waning credibility within the

Cuban exile community, Ray again tried to infiltrate Cuba in

July, 1264 but, again, his boat developed motor trouble and

81792

the plan was aborted.

The failure this time led three

9385

exile groups to withdraw from JurE:

All these events, from May through July, resulted in a

CIA decision to stop financing Ray until he ceased all

activities from the U.s.

mainland.

gian the agency authorized al

waS

msle

8795

final payment of $75,000 to the group to facilitate the move!

88-96

thereby "closing the books" on JURE.

Ray kept his organization together until August, 1968

8997

although it was relatively ineffective. He personally main-

tained an interest in anti-Castro activities: In 1969, he

Classification:

Classified by derivation:

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## Page 9

DRAFT- MANUEL

Classisgton 73778

Page 101

(This form is to be used for material extracted

from ClA-controlled documents.)

called together a congress. of Cuban exiles to create a new

organization. I As late as 1972, he was actively engaged in

the formulation of the People's Revolutionary Party, hoping

to reinvigorate the anti-Castro movement, 1 but it, too, failed

to make an impact 98100

Ray still resides in Puerto Rico and heads his own

engineering consulting firm in San Juan 9grog

?

Classitication:

Classified by derivation:

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## Page 10

Classificadarores

those

tape and!

This PONDiCE 4O RAY URIVFOR material extracted

with

ret

from ClA-controlled documents.)

1. CIA/Deputy Dicecior Operations (PDOlPManuel Ray Rivero (Ray)

Volume II, Cable to Director from MASE 11/17/60

2.

9, Item

) FBI Manolo Ray References,

Section 2,

(JFK DOCUMENT 00G463)

3.

Ibid.

4.

#SCA $009005, Memo to G. Robert Blakey, 6/28/78,

Interview * incumen: 009005)

Of Manolo Ray Rivero from Fonzi/Gonzales

5.

Ibid,

6Xd Give Us This Day by E. Howard Hunt, Popular Llbrary

Edition, p. 91

7.

HSCA 1005990, p. 2, FBI Correlation Study, Manolo Ray,

File #97-4546, Section I., pI,: (UF DOSURE: 005990)

8.

CIA/DDO Bay Volume VII, Memo From (aek Malone former

narayer, Kings Ranch, Cuba, dated 7/16/62-

9.

CIA/020..Ray Volume IV, Information Report, 3/16/61,

Subject: Background, Character and Econonie-Concepts-of

Manuel Ray Rivera

10.

Give Us This Day by E. Howard Hunt, Popular Library

Edition, p. 92

11.

HSCA $009005, Memo to G. Robert Blakey, 6/28/18,

of Manolo Ray Rivero From Fonzi/Gonzales, (5FK DOCeLeN

001905)

accuranti

12.

CIA/DDO, Ray Volume VI 6/9/62 study of program tor

liberation of Cuba submitted by Ray-

23. CIA/ADORaY VOlutE, Cable to Director fEan MSil, 1I/17/60%

14. Ibid

15. CIA/DDO, Ray VOlume. II, Oxganization of MRP.

16.

Give Us This Day by E. Howard Hunt, Popular Library

Edition, p. 92

17.

18.

New York Times, April 10, 1961, Castro Foes Map Multiple

Forays, by Tad Szule

Ibid.

19.

20.

21.

Ibid

Classificaron: -

Give Us This Day by E. Howard Hunt, Popular Library Ealtior

CIA/DROp Ray VaLuna IT. (Contact Report marshallage Ballota

10/17/60, Subject-leeting with duan Esteves and Jorge Bernie,

19779/60

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## Page 11

Footnotes - Madlabspiltdrbrt!

page al

This form is to be used for material extracted

22.

CIA/DDOyfRayCvDlunsrailedMemmeto.wi/chieffromActing

Chief,w, 9/21/60, Subject:-State Approval-to IncLude

Manuel- Ray Rivero into the FRD Complex.

23.

CIA/DDQ-Ray.Volumerr Cable from MASH to WH/9, 9/29/60

24. CIA/DDO, ay volume 1, Meeting with Raul Chibas, 9/7/60

25.

Ibid.

26.

CIA/DDQ-Ray VoluRe-t, Cable to Director from MASH, 11/5/60

27.

CIA/DDQ. Ray Vetume I Cable to Director from JMASH, 11/11/6C

28.

CIA/DDO. Bay Volume II, Memo for Record, 11/21/60

subject: Meeting.with-King and Esterline on Subject-of

Handling MRE,

29 .

CIA/DoORay Valume, II: Cable, to. Director from MASH,

11/17/60

30.

CIA/DDO, Paytolumey, Memo for Record, 6/2/61, Subjects

Relations with-Manolo. Pay and the MRP. Exom, James Ao Noe!

31.

CIA/DDO, Ray Volume III Information Report From U.S.

Citizen, Free-lance writer and part-time sugar broker,

12/22/60

32.

CIA/DĐO-Ray-Volume.IV, Memo to-S - DI. Berle From

ARA - Philip W. Bonsal, 3/16/61, Subject: Recent -Cuban

Developments

33. CIA/DDO, Rajivolume It, Cable to Bell from JMWAVE, 3/1/61

34. CIA/DDQ, Ray-Volume-II, Cable to Director from MASH, 11/17/66

35.

Give Us This Day by E. Howard Hunt, Popular Library

Edition, pP. 172-73

36.

CIA/DD@ywRay-VOlume.Iv, administrative form

"Intervier

37

with Manolo Ray Rivero,

38.

CIA/DDO, Ray VolumAIV, Memo for Record, 27. March 1961

Gerald.Drollersubject-payAccepts-Appointment to

Conneil ...:

30

#SEA F0A9G25, MenO to G. Robert Blake, 6/28/78, p. 4,

Si; InterviecydesMashio

Pronfay Rivero, sten fonzitfonzates

204003)

Classifiad by derivation: -

---

## Page 12

Page 3

40.

41.

42.

43.

44.

1.5.

46.

47.

48.

49.

50.

51.

52.

53.

54.

55.

5б.

57.

This form is to be used for material extracted

New York irrimesa Spaglied doorentuban Group Quits Exile Body

by Sam Pope Brever ..:

Ibid .

Ibid.

CIA/DDO, Ray Volume V, Meno fondecord, 6/2/61, Subject:

Belations with Manoto Ray and the MRP. from danes-Ag-Noel

CIA/DDO, Bay-Volume, Cable to Berl from JMWAVE,

4/29/61, #0923 (E: l01e-05 1t:)

Ibid

Ibia

CIA/DDO RaY Valunet, Cable ta ReFt froM JMWAVE

5/4/61, #972 (Sic bandierietic)

CIA/DDO, Ray Votamen, Meno fox Berera, 5/5/61 FFOM

CalziA HicKE, WHIAMOperatIons

CIA/DDQ, Ray Volume, Meno ter

6/2/61, From

James A Noel

CIA/Do, May Volume vE, Meno for Decord - SBERET, 12/19/61

Subject: Miscellaneous Items-Diseussed with Dr. Miro on

New York Times, July 17, 1961,"

Cuba Exile Group Criticizes

CIA, bY Peter Kihss

Ibid.

CIA/DDO, Ray Valume VI Memo for ChietINH Division,

10/10/61 Exomiarren 5 langen Subject: General - Cuban-

Matters; specific - Manuel Manala) RaY

CIA/DD@a

RaynkaJama VII, Cable, 1/2/62 to Director Eran

san tran

CIA/DDO, RayVolume VI, Memo for Record, SPORtE,

19 Decamber 1961,

stbgect.iscellaneaus.Items.discussed

with Di Mica ah 18 Sacembattlante!

1: 01a

CIA/DDO, Ray Volamen Renotutionary Horement di the

Reopte: National Leadership, 4/20/62

Meno for-Chrief, Lasi Eoxce li

7/25/62, Stijoet janale Bay.

Mesting.pimpteroyoist

Classified by diariration:

"-57

27

---

## Page 13

sarini!

édititis

Footnotes - Manuel Ray Rivera

• Page 4

Classification:

58.

59.

CIA/DDO, JURE Volume I, Cable to Director From-San

Fram, 7/25/62 (7105: in il fine)

60.

CIA/DDO RayoVolumeVII, Memo For Chief, TAsk-FOrCE-W-

Ecom Alfonsa Rodriguez,7/12/62, Sabjeot,Manolo-Ray Rivero

61. CIA/DD@uRayaVolume-VIIy Cable 7/25/62

Ibid,

62.

.6,3 -

64.

65.

66.

CIA/ĐDO, Ray Volume IX, Cable to Director Erom Paris

6/19/63, tiziee

CIA/DDO, Pay Volume I Dispatch to Chief. We,from

Cas/paris)

CIA/DDO, Ray Volume XVI, Meno ta Director Fron ChiefIH

Divisiony 7/9/64, Subject: Chronalagy.afConcept-of

Autonomols-Operatiaus.and..Summary.aF Einancial Support

to Manuel Artime.

CIA/DDO, Ray Volume-X, Memo for Basezd, 8/23/63 ErOM

AlfonsaBadriques SubjecterRay.Contact-Report

67.

68.

69.

CIA/DDA, Ray kalune X~ Cable to Director from JMWAVE,

9/11/63

70.

CIA/DDO Ray Volume XI, Draft, 10/4/63 by Rodriguez,

Subjeet, Manuel-Ray Rivero

71.

CIA/DeRaN Volume Xd, Cable to Chiety Special Affiars

Staff from JMWAVELeS, 10/22/63

72. HSCA

#009005, Meno to G. Robert Blakey, 6/28/78, STrTP

Interview with Manolo Ray Rivero, by fonzi/Conzatesi:(1

73.

CIALDO Ray-Volume XIT, Cable to Director from JMWAVE

1/14/64

2/4/64

tri, Intelligence Information Cable,

Classified by derivation:

000000

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## Page 14

Page 5

75.

(This form is to be used for material extracted

CIA/DDO, Way EVelmekdaudalla to Director from iMWAVE

76.

77.

3/28/64

CIA/DDO, Ray Volume XIII, Memo FaLChieF,-H Division

4/14/64 Exom AlEnSO Rodriguez, Subject: My Meeting.

Kith Ray-On3. April 1964

Time, The Hemisphere - Cuba, page 48, June 12, 1964

78.

Ibid,

79.

Ibid.

80.

81.

82.

Ibid'

CIA/DDQ. Bay Volume. XIV; Cable to Director from JMWAVE,

5/24/64/ 2p; Bax. Valume XX, Cable to Director Erom

IMWAVE,,

Time,

The Hemispheré - Cuba, page 48, June 12, 1964

83.

84.

Ibia.

папр

Ibid 1

85.

Ibia,

86.

Ibid

87.

88.

Ibid.

CIA/DO Ray Volumeutal Memo for ReedEd, 5/20/64 from

Sanuel HalpenSubjectiJURE.Purchase.of_Arms-

.89.

Ibidi

90.

91.

92.

93.

94.

Ibia,

CIA/DDO, Ray-Kalume XViy Memo fox Record, 6/29/64 fam

Altonsa Rodriquez Subiect: Establishment-of-Base

Abroad Manuel Ray Rivero

CIA/DDO, Raj Volume XVI, Cable to Director E

7/15/64

CIA/BDO, Ray VOlume XVI Wire service printout, Miami,

Florida, July 24, 1964

CIA/Day-Ray-Valua XX, Memo forensora, 6/29/64 From.

pardonor:

Classifier by derivation:

0000442

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## Page 15

Clossification:

Footnotes - Manuel Ray Rivero

Page 6

(This form is to be used for material extracted

from ClA-controlled documents.)

95. CIA/DDQ, Ray VOLume-XVIl, Autonomous Operations -

, Operating Plan

96.

CIA/DRO, Ray-Volume XVII, Memo For Resora, draft,

9/22/64 ExOR-ALEOnSO. Rodeiguez

97.

CIA/DDO. Ray Volume XVILI, Cable, Cite KH/ Miami,

#2233

6/4/69

98.

Ibid.

99.

STAFF

HSCA

#009005, Memo to G. Robert Blakey, 6/28/78, Interview

with Manolo Ray Rivero, by Eanzi/Gonzates (JFK DOCUMENT

009005)

100.

Ibid

101.

Ibid

Classification:

Classified by derivation:

---