MOVIMIENTO DEMOCRATA CRISTIANO (MDC)
Agency: SSCIA
Originator: FBI
Document date: 10/16/1963
Document type: PAPER, TEXTUAL DOCUMENT

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Date: 06/27/94

Page: 1

JFK ASSASSINATION SYSTEM

IDENTIFICATION FORM

AGENCY INFORMATION

AGENCY : SSCIA

RECORD NUMBER : 157-10004-10127

RECORDS SERIES :

REPORT

AGENCY FILE NUMBER :

Released under the John

F. Kennedy

assassination Recorde

Collection det. of 19g.

144 USC 2107 Notel.

Case#:NW 54653 Date:

10-23-2017

DOCUMENT INFORMATION

!

ORIGINATOR : FBI

FROM :

TO :

TITLE :

MOVIMIENTO DEMOCRATA CRISTIANO (MDC)

DATE : 10/16/63

PAGES : 10

SUBJECTS :

MOVIMIENTO DEMOCRATA CRISTIANO (MDC)

CHRISTIAN DEMOCRATIC MOVEMENT

BATISTA FALLA FACTION

CUBA

ASSASSINATION PLOTS

DOCUMENT TYPE : PAPER, TEXTUAL DOCUMENT

CLASSIFICATION : U

RESTRICTIONS : 2, 4, DONOR REST., REFERRED

CURRENT STATUS : X

DATE OF LAST REVIEW: 06/27/94

OPENING CRITERIA :

COMMENTS :

[R] - ITEM IS RESTRICTED

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Ins Reply, Please Refer to

File No.

UNITI STATES DEPARTHENT OF .. STICE

FEDERAL BUREAU OF LNVESTIGATION

OCT 1 6 1963

Miami, Florida

SSCI BOX #

-SUNRIDE.

BOVE

MOVIMIENTO DEMOCRATA CRISTIANO (MDC)

INTERNAL SECURITY - CUBA

3775

BATISTA FALLA FACTION

LAURE ANO

BATISTA FALLA 1s the military leader

of one section of the Movimiento Democratica Cristiano

(MDS), an anti-FICaL CASIRO organization, which section

maintains its office at 1732 N.W. 7th Street, Miami,

Florida, phone number FRanklin 1-9182.

On July 1, 1963, United States Customs Agents

confiscated a 23' Seabird blue fibreglass boat belonging

to BATISTA.

The boat contained Florida registration

#FL 1218F and was confiscated because it carried a gun

mount.

On July 19, 1963, MI. WALLACE SHANLEY, United

States Customs Agent, Miami, advised BATISTA appeared at

the office of United States Customs, Miami, subsequent

to the confiscation of the boat, for the purpose of hav-

ing it released. BATISTA claimed that the gun that was

going to be used on the gun mount had been confiscated

by United States Customs Agents on their recent raid at

the residence of CARLOS ZARRAGA, 2954 S.W. 16th Terrace, !!

EDENTAL

REVIEWED BY FBI/JFK TASK FORCE

ON 2-1894 cal

EJEASE IN FULL

RELEASE IN PART

• TOTAL DENIAL

CIA HAS NO OBJECTION TO

DECLASSIFICATICAI AND/OR

RELEASE: Or CARSONATU

IN THIS DOCUMENT. GMB7/3/gU

9803 ROD/pEl IT< 7/1/94

grading an

massacati

NATIONA: CECURITY INTORMATION

deed Disclosaro

Subject to Criminal Sanctions

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MOVIMIENTO DEMOCRATICA CRISTIANO (MDC)

INTERNAL SECURIIY - CUBA

SSrI RAX

#

Miami. United States Customs declined BATISIA'; re-

quest for the release of the above mentioned 23'

notor

boat.

MM T-1,

advised on

July 29,

1963

?, that BATISIA FALLA 18 military head of

one faction of the MDC, and had the authority of hia

organization to cooperate and coordinate military acti-

vities with Comandos L.

MM I-2, a Cuban exile, advised on July 29,

1963, that Conandos L 19 a Cuban revolutionary organization

headed by SANTLAGO ALVAREZ RODRIGUEZ. This organization

has carried out military opèratiora against Cuba, and after

their last operation in March, 1963, United States Customs

Agents in Miami, Florida, confiscated the organizationà

boat and military equipment.

MM I-2 explained that BATISTA and ALVAREZ be-

lieve that a unity between both organizations has a

number of benefits, especially since military equipment

owned by each organization can be loaned back and forth

as the need arises.

MM I-2 continued that BATISTA PALLA at that

time was in Central America, contacting representatives

of different Central American govermenta and important

people for the purpose of determining what possibilities

exist for the establishment of a unified Cuban exils

.

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SSCI BOX it

37731

MOVIMIENTO DEMOCRAIA CRISTIANO (MDC)

INTERNAL SSCURITY - CUBA

MANT NATAST

military actiar. group. BATISTA was

expected to return

to Miami, Farida, escly in august, 1963.

MM T-? 1i1 BATISIA's trip to Central America

also served as a check on announcements made by former

President of Nicaragua LUIS SOMOZA, to the effect that

Nicaragua would give military help to the different

militant Cuban anti-Communist organizations. Comandos L

felt they san trust the judgment of BATISt, and planned

to later confer with him on hig return to the United

States.

It is noted that previous investigations has re-

flected that former Nicaraguan Prezident LUIS SOMOZA came

to the United States in July, 1963, and talked individually

and in groups 1= various Cuban exile leaders in the Miami

area.

Alse SOMOld reportedly conferred with various

officials of the United States goverment in Washington,

D.C. It was reported his conversations with the Cuban

exiles in the Miami area related to the possible establish-

ment of a base of operations for these Cubans in Nicaragua

or elsewhere in Central America, for preparationg to over-

throw the present government of Cuba.

On August 13, 1963, LAUREANO BATISTA FALLA,

1300 S. Bayshore Drive, Miami, advised he continues ag

the military head of the MDC, and that a week previously

he had been in Nicaragua on the invitation of former

Nicaraguan President LUIS SOMOZA. The purpose of BATISTA'&

visit to Nicaragua was to confer with SOMOZA concerning the

Cuban situation, and the possibility of aid to the -Cuban

exiles in crarthroiing the presint Caban government.

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i"

SSCI BOX # 387=.=

MOVIMIENTO LEMOCRATICA CRISTIANO (MDC)

INTERNAL SECURITY - CUBA

He said in Nicaragua at the same time as he on

the invitation of SOMOZA; vere CARLOS PRIO, SOCARRAS, former

President of Cuba; MANU}L ARTIME QUESA, che'of the principal

leacers of the Bay of 1123 invasion attempt in April, 11ol:

and MANUEL ANTONIO DEVVARONA, Pregident of the Cuban Revo-

lutionary Council (CRCh, a unity group of anti-CASTRO organ-

izationg. These persons were interviewed separately by

SOMOZA, but later compared notes and found that SOMOZA

discussed with each the same bagic subject matter.

SOMOZA disclosed he was favorable to the estab-

lishment of one or more bases of operations for the Cuban

anti-CASTRO exiles in Nicaragua, st some other Central

American country.

SOMOZA indicated that Honduras, hovever,

was rather cool to the idea, would likely not cooperate,

and that this was

possibly due to the power of the Communist

Party in Honduras.

SOMOZA appeared anxious to get the

views and opinicns of BATISTA FALLA concerning the feasibility

of such a plan. However, SOMOZA made no commitmenta,. and

did not disclose the existence of a fimm plar of action ca

any specific agreement betweea Nicaragua and other Central

American countries or with the United States. He gave the

impression to BATISTA FALLA he was attempting to lay a

preliminary fourcation for the establishment of such a

base.

SOMOZA told BATISTA he would

call him in about thirty

days for further discussions.

BATISIA said he also visited Costa Rica, and

that he hopes to establish a base for clandestine opera-

tions againat Cuba from either Nicaragua or Costa RieR, or

both, as circumátances permit. le said nothing definite

= 4 =

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SSCI BOX #

37712:5

MOVIMIENTO DEMOCRATICA CRISTIANO (MRC)

INTERNAL SECURITY - CIBA

had bean acceplished up to this time.

BATISTA continued that in his con eraties

with PREO SOLAERAS, PRIO disclossd that during his re-

cent viait to the Dominican Republic, propr to the

Nicaraguan trip, he had conferred with JUAN BOSCH, then

President of she Dominican Republic. PRIO urged BOSCH to

help the Cuban exiles establish a military bage in the

Dominican Republic.

BOSCH refused and asked PRIO not to

press him in this matter. BATISTA FALLA said PRIO and

BOSCH are long time friends, PRIO having helped BOSCH

financially when the latter

was. a Dominican exile resid-

ing in Cuba.

MM I-3, another goverament agency which con-

ducts intelligence investigations, advised on September

3, 1963, that agsncy had received

the follwing informa-

tion from

As of early July, 1963, according to RODRIGUEZ

MENENDEZ, an attorney and executive member of the Mit,

the MDC had made a unity pact with Comardos L. According

three naval units and one B-26 aircraft which the group

already had in ira possession.

The Mic was to contribute.

three small boats and a team of men to be infiltrated

into Cuba.

The MDC was also involved in unity negotiations

with PRIO SOCARRAS, who would sortribute

$50,000 as

F:

-5.

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SSCI BOX

377.^

MOVIMIENTO LEMOCRATICA CRISTIANO (MDC)

INTERNAL SECURITY - CUBA

He said in Nicaragus at the same time as he on

the invitation of SOMOZA, wére CARLOS PRIA, SOCARRAS, former

President of Cuba; MANUÉL ARTIME BUESA, che'of the principal

leaders of the Bay of Pize invasion attempt in April, 1961;

and MANUEL ANTONIO DEVVARONA, Fresident of the Cuban Revo-

DE VARO NA,

lutionary Council (CRCh, a unity group of anti-CASTRO organ-

izationg. These persons were interviewed separately by

SOMOZA, but later compared notes and found that SOMOZA

discused with each the same basic subject matter.

SOMORA disclosed he was favorable to the estab-

lishment of one or more bases of operations for the Cuban

anti-CASTRO exiles in Nicaragua, or some other Central

American country.

SOMOZA indicated that Honduras, however,

was rather cool to the idea, would likely not cooperate,

and that this was possibly due to the power of the Communist

Party in Honduras.

SOMOZA appeared anxious to get the

views and epinicns of BATISTA FALLA concerning the feasibility

of such a plan. However, SOMOZA made no commitmenta, and

did not disclose the exigtance if a firm plar. of action s

any specific agreement betweea Nicaragua and other Central

American countries or with the United States. He gave the

impression to BATISTA FALLA he was attempting to lay a

preliminary foundation for the establishment of such a

base.

SOMOZA told BATISTA he would call him in about thirty

days for further discussions.

BATISTA said he also visited Costa Rica, and

that he hopes to establish a base for clandestine opera-

tions againat Cuba from either Nicaragua or Costa Rica, or

both, as circumatances permit. lie said nothing cefinite

-4.

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SSCI BOX #

377.=

MOVIMIENTO DEMOCRATICA CRISTIANO (MRC)

INTERNAL SECURITY - CIBA

GHAN

had been accomplished up to this time.

BATISTA sortirued that in his con ersatio.

with PRiO ScARAS, PRIO disclosed that during his re-

cent visit to the Dominican Republie, propI to the

Nicaraguan trip, he had conferred with JUAN BOSCH, then

President of she Dominican Republic. PRIO urged BOSCH to

help the Cuban exiles establish a military base in the

Dominican Republic. BOSCH refused and agked PRIO not to

press him in thie matter.

BATISTA FALLA Said PRIO and

BOSCH are long time friends, PRIO having helped BOSCH

financially when the latter was. a Dominican exile resid-

1ng in Cuba.

MM I-3, another government agency which con-

ducts intelligence investigations, advised on September

3, 1963, that agency had received the following informa-

tion from

As of early July, 1963, according to RODRIGUEZ

MENENDEZ, as attorney and executive member of the MIC,

1 8126 arcraft with on group

already had in ira posaesgion. The MDE wag to contribute

three small boats and a team of men to be infiltrated

Into Cuba.

The MDC was also involved in unity negotiations

with PRIO SOCARRAS, who would sortribute $50, 000 as

-5.

"*.:

i=-.

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SSCI BOX #

377-

MOVIMIENIO DENO-LATICA CRISTIANO (MDC)

INTERNAL SECURITY - CUBA

MAN MESATA

military aid to the MDC, which organization in return

would provide political support to PRIO.

The Mac was also negotiating a unity pact with

the Students Revolutionary Directorate.

The NO Jianned to buy a new boat with the morey

to be received from PRIO and planned to stage another

air raid agains: an oil refinery in the City of Havanas

Cuba.

On September 26, 1963, MM I-3 advised that

further information was obtained from RODRIGUEZ MENENDEZ

CO Cha BEiagE that as of September 19, 1963, BATISIA FALLA,

PEREZ MENA and VICIOR PANEQUE, MIC members, were

planning to leave for Puerto Rico on a misgion to obtain

help to operate from some place near Cuba. They also

wished to be able to use the Al-6 airplane they have in

Caracas, Veneavels, for raids against Cuba and for trans-

porting

arms which

they have in Venezuela.

BATIStA was planning to buy the schooner

PRIMATE RA, lerated in the Miani River, at Miami, but as

of September 19, 1963, had not been able to raise the

money to purchaas the vessel.

RODRIcLE? said there was great unrest among

tives have had strong words with BATISTA.

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SSCI bud "r

317.

MOVIMIENTO DEMOSRATICA CRISTIANO (MDC)

INTERNAL SECURITY - CUBA

LUCAS FACTION

MM I-4,

on July 17,

1963, advised that JOSE FERNANDEZ BADUE, also known as

LUCAS, continue? to be the President of the MDC, which

organization saintains headquarters' at 2333 Biscayne

of the inactivity of the CRC, and the great critician of

the CRC for having created the June 20, 1963 Cuban invasion

hoax.

MM I-4 said the Lucas Paction has 15 men who

were previously in the underground in Cuba, and nou

went to return to Cuba, and again operate in the under-

ground. In additien, there are some 30 members of the

Lucas Faction in Miami who are willing and available to

work against Communism in Cuba. Tha MDC requested this

information be made known to the United States govern-

ment, along with the MDC's being avallable for any United

States government sponsored activity in the future.

On July 31, 1963, FERMIN DLEITES, officer and

neuber of the executive comittee of che MDC, advised

= .

Nicaraguan military officer, name unknorn, who visited

MDC headquarters in Miami on July 29, 1963. Tha

.7.

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SSCI BOX #

3.7.7.=

MOVIMIENTO DEMOCRATICA CRISTIANO (MDC)

INTERNAL SECURITY - CUBA

CONFE DENTAL

Nicaraguan claimed to be an army officer, and for years

to have been an assistant to General ANASTACIO SOMOZA

of Nicaragua.

This army officer acted tough, and left

no doubt he was a Nicaraguan military man.

He offered

to the MDC training camps, military equipment and

military bases in Nicaragua, from which Cuba could be

attacked. He did not indicate this plan had any

sanction or support of United States military officials.

This Nicaraguan claimed all expenses of moving MDC per-

sonnel and other Cuban exiles to Nicaragua would be

paid for, but the Cuban exiles would receive no salaries

while in military training camps or while fighting in

Cuba.

The Nicaraguan explained there are no Cubans

training in Nicaragua but that he had recently spoken to

ARTIME BUESA and BATISTA FALLA in Nicaragua concerning

this plan.

On August 13, 1963, MM T-4 advised that the plan

for MDC members to go to Nicaragua never materialized and

at the present time the MDC maintains no military train-

ing camps and does not participate in any military acti-

vities.

MM T-S, a member of the CRC, advised the CRC

continues to exist and the MDC faction of LUCAS continues

to belong to the CRC. MM T-5 explained that since the

CRC and the MDC have not received any United States govern-

ment subsidies since April, 1963, the CRC and MDC have

had no significant activity; barely continued to exist;

can hardly maintain operating expenses; are in debt and

the future is urcertain.

17 trite

нат:

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SSCI BOX #

37715

MOVIMIENTO DEMOCRATICA CRISTIANO (MDC)

INTERNAL SECURITY - CUBA

AETDENITAIN

MM T-S explained that the Lucas faction of the

MDC is barely able to maintain its office; engages in no

publicity or propaganda, and is relatively inactive.

This document contains neither recommendations nor con-

clusions of the FBI. It is the property of the FBI and

is loaned to your agency; it and its contents are not

to be distributed outside your agency.

=12÷

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In Reply, Please Rejer 10

File No.

UNITY STATES DEPARTMENT OF

•STICE

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

OCT 1 6 1903

SSCI BUr it

Miami, Florida

MOVIMIENTO DEMOCRATICA CRISTIANO (MDC)

INTERNAL SECURITY - CUBA

Reference memorandum dated and captioned as above.

All sources whose identities are concealed in

referenced: communication have furnished reliable informa-

tion in the past.

37712:0

This document contains neither recommendations nor con-

clusions of the FBI. It is the property of the FBI and

18 loaned to your agency; it and its contents are not to

be distributed outside your agency.

'!

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