Report
Originator: FBI
From: [RESTRICTED]
Document date: 02/02/1955
Document type: Paper

## Page 1

Heleased under the John F. Kennedy

Assassination Records Collection Act of

1992(44 USC 2107 Note]. Case#:N'w

54954 Date: 11-14-2022

Date :

Page :

08/21/98

1

JFK ASSASSINATION SYSTEM

IDENTIFICATION

FORM

AGENCY INFORMATION

AGENCY : INSCOM/CSF

RECORD NUMBER

: 194-10002-10319

RECORDS SERIES : FOREIGN PERSONNEL AND. ORGANIZATIONS

AGENCY FILE NUMBER

:. C8005823W - PAGES

• 1139-1171

DOCUMENT INFORMATION

ORIGINATOR : FBI

FROM

TO

TITLE

DATE

PAGES

SUBJECTS

I RESTRICTED ]

: REPORT

: 02/02/55

: 33

: [ RESTRICTED ]

I RESTRICTED ]

CUBAN CIVIC FRONT

MARISTANY, CARLOS

ANTI-BATISTA ACTIVITIES

COMBAT TRAINING

TRIPLE A

NATIONAL REVOLUTIONARY MOVEMENT

DOCUMENT TYPE : PAPER, TEXTUAL DOCUMENT

CLASSIFICATION : SECRET

RESTRICTIONS : 1B, 2,

CURRENT STATUS

RELEASED' WITH DELETIONS

DATE OF LAST REVIEW : 03/07/95

OPENING CRITERIA: COMPLETION OF REVIEW BY FBI

COMMENTS : COORDINATION WITH FBI HAS BEEN COMPLETED AND

DETERMINED TO BE

RELEASED WITH DELETIONS, PER MEMO DTD

26 FEB 98.

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trident drey: +93-95-56901

SECRET

FD-72

(3-9-54)

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

PORM NO. 1

THIS CASE ORIGINATED AT NEW YORK

REPORT MADE AT

DATE WHEN

MADE

PERIOD FOR WHICH MADE

REPORT MADE BY

MIAMI, FLORIDA 4B 2

195929, 21-30 15/253

GED: J1

GEORGE E. DAVIS, JR.

TITLE

CARLOS PRIO SOCARRAS

ET AL

530/54;1/4,09

CUBA REGISTRATION ACT

SYNOPSIS OF FACTS:

?

ironmant:

EIN IS UNC

In the Fall of 1954 many reports and rumors were circulating

to effect that an attempt to overthrow BATISTA would be

launched on or before Cuban elections. 11/1/54 by persons

associated with CARLOS PRIO, exiled former President of Cuba,

who lives in Miami, Fla.

Several members of a small

organization, Cuban Civic Front,

engaged in commando tactics

in yard of its President, CARLOS MARISTANI, In 11/34 In MiamI,

but MARISTANY claimed they did not plan to participate in any

revolution against BATISTA, and denied any connection with

PRIO.

Reliable informants reported that

during period

immediately preceding and following 11/1/54, MARIO MARTINEZ,

licensed "ham" radio operator in Miami, operated clandestine

radio transmitting and receiving station in close conjunction

with EMILO OCHOA, an Orthodox Party leader, and made contact

with persons in Cuba and Mexico.

who had been in frequent contact with FRio, departed Miami and

WISE

entered Cuba clandestinely from Jamaica shortly prior to

and later claimed that PRIO left him "holding the

11/1/54Informants report PRIO advanced JOSE CARAMES,

Cuban in

Miami, $25,000 to purchase two vessels,

"Le Francais" and

"Mollie-0"

, on condition that these boats would be made

available to PRIO if and when needed.

"Le Francais" cleared

Port of Miami 1/20/55 for Costa Rica without cargo.

Other

Reg 229062

EXCLUDED FROM AUTOMATIC REGRADING:

DOD DIR $202.10 DOES NOT APPLY

2129901421

'".

1139

1i

PROVED AUL L DESIS:

ORWARDER

SPECIAL AGENT

IN CHARGE

СГЕНУ

See Page 2 C

REGISTERED MAT.

A"1'

i, DO NOT WRiTE IN THESE spAcES

pabochry of ret

is report andits contents are loaned

atpiyou by the tol, and neither it not its

entents are to be distributed outside

he agency to which loaned.

dates to see Mos

Declassify on: DADR (JFK

tas.

PROPERTY OF FBI -This report is loaned to you by the FBI, and neithe

distributed outside the agency to which loaned.

contents are to be

202-268

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Copies to:

11

- Bureau (109-430) (RM)

- New York (109-43) (RM)

- ONI, Miami, Fla. (RM)

) - (AC

- OSI, MacDill Field, Tampa, Fla. (RM)

Atlanta, ga. TAM)

Fort McPherson,

- U. S. Customs

_ Miami (2-1651 Miami, Fla. (RM)

reports have been received indicating armed action or attempt

to assassinate BATISTA may take place prior to 2/24/55 when

BATISTA

is scheduled to take office as result of his election

11/1/54

During recent past CARLOS PRIO and other Cubans in

Miami area have been

U.S.

continues to some degree. Organization known as "Resistance

Commandos" now reportedly active with several members PRIO

roup participating in Miami area. Alleged purpose of this

organization is for instituting reign of violence against

BATISTA regime.

Dr. RAPHAEL GARCIA BARCENAS, Leader of

National Revolutionary Movement (MNR), which purports to be

anti-BATISTA organization of a revolutionary character,

according to published remarks of BARCENAS, is now residing

in Miami

but claims no connection with PRIO.

= P.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

I.

REPORTS OF ALLEGED REVOLUTIONARY ACTION

PLANNED AGAINST BATISTA GOVERNMENT OF CUBA

A. UPRISING ALLEGEDLY SCHEDULED

ON OR ABOUT NOVEMBER 1, 1954 •

(1) Clandestine Radio Operation

(2)

Boats Allegedly Involved in

Revolutionary Schemes

(a) Le Francais

(b) Sachem II

(c) Mollie -0

4

• 4

•

8

10 €

10 -

12 =

(3) Combat Training of Cuban

Civic Front, Miami

0 0 0

13 ∞

(4)

Reaction of

Carlos Prio to

Batista's Election as President

November 1, 1954

• 15 =

B. REPORT SUBSEQUENT TO NOVEMBER 1,

1954

INDICATIVE OF REVOLUTIONARY ACTION BEING

PLANNED AGAINST BATISTA GOVERNMENT . . • 16 =

C. INFORMATION CONCERNING ALLEGED TRAFFIC

IN ARMS AND AMMUNITION

О 0 09

D. MISCELLANEOUS

"Il.

RESISTANCE COMMANDOS

LUIS ORTEGA y SIERRA

MARIO KUCHILAN

MARCOS G. VILLAREAL

ARACELIO AZCUY •

III. TRIPLE A O0010146.

IV.

MOVIMIENTO NACIONAL REVOLUCIONARIO (MNR)

(NATIONAL REVOLUTIONARY MOVEMENT)

= 3=

•

20 -

24

26

27

28

31 -

32°

Pages

23

16

10

13

12

13

13

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16

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23

23

31

27

27

28

31

32

33

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DETAILS:

AT MIAMI, FLORIDA

I. REPORTS OF ALLEGED REVOLUTIONARY ACTION

PLANNED AGAINST BATISTA GOVERNMENT OF CUBA

A.

UPRISING ALLEGEDLY SCHEDULED

ON OR ABOUT NOVEMBER 1, 7954

On October 5, 1954 Miami Informant T-1, a Federal

Agency which conducts investigations, reported that PASCASIO

LINERA, Cuban textile leader living in Miami, had disclosed

that the time of the revolution in Cuba was near and that it

would take place before November 1, 1954; that JOSE DUARTE

and CANDIDO DE LA TORRE had entered Cuba

clandestinely and

possessed information concerning the location of arms hidden

in the Havana area.

This informant stated that CARLOS PRIO

planned to be in Havana several days before the revolutionary

effort occurred. (5)

According to the

same informant, the revolutionaries

had issued orders that their followers were not to commit any

acts which would arouse the authorities, and that plans were

centered on a frontal plan to end the present regime in Cuba

and not merely on minor acts to disrupt the elections

(scheduled for November 1, 1954) (5)

PASCASIO LINERA LOPEZ, age 33, 836 S. W. Third

Avenue, Miami, pleaded guilty to charges based upon investi

gation

by United States Customs, Miami, for conspiring

transport arms and ammunition from the

United States without

a license.

JOSE DUARTE and CANDIDO DE LA TORRE were the victims

in a $240,000 robbery at Fort Worth, Texas in about December,

1952. This money had allegedly been taken from New York City

to Fort

Worth for the purpose of buying arms and ammunition on

behalf of CARLOS PRIO.

Miami Informant T-?, of known reliability, being

the representative of a Federal Agency which conducts

investigations, advised on October 18, 1954 that he had

received information from several sources that the CARLOS

PRIO group was attempting to charter, or otherwise acquire,

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a yacht for the purpose of transporting arms and men to Cuba

in the immediate future in an attempt to overthrow the

BATISTA Government

Miami Informant 1-3, of known reliability, who is

well informed concerning the activities of Cuban exiles in

the Miami area, and Miami Informant Toh, of known reliability,

reported on

participate in an attempted revolution against BATISTA, ano

that approximately 150 Cubans from the Miami area would

participate.

These informants said that the wives of

Cubans belonging to the PRIO group in Miami had been weeping

in anticipation of the approaching revolution against

BATISTA, which T-3 and To said would take place on or about

November 1, 1954, the date of Cuban elections.

They expressed

the opinion

that

DIEGO VICENTE TEJERA, a very close

associate of PRIO, would lead this expedition.

TEJERA pleaded nolle contendere in Federal Court,

New York City, in October, 1954 on a charge, based upon

United States

Customs investigation of conspiring to

illegally ship arms to Cuba without a license.

T-3 and T-4 said that Doctor RICARDO LINARES, a

personal friend of Cuban Presidential candidate GRAU SAN

had been in Miami for several days for conferences

wIth PRIO in an attempt to persuade PRIO to postpone any

Cuban elections;

thereby avoiding the necessity of a

revolution.

It is to be noted that GRAU SAN MARTIN withdrew

from the elections several days prior to November 1, 1954).

T-3 and I-4 said LINARES had expressed satisfaction

with his mission to Miami and he felt he had successfully

persuaded PRIO to postpone action.

T=3 and I-4 said that NOEL DEL PINO, another of

PRIO's close associates, had recently succeeded in entering

Cuba clandestinely, but

had sought sanctuary at the

Uruguayan Embassy in Havana because of the

"heat" which had

=5=

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been placed on him by the Cuban authorities, it having been

reported that DEL PINO came to

Cuba in order to attempt to

assassinate BATISTA

They said that DEL PINO had shipped

eight panel trucks into Cuba and had purchased two high-

powered rifles with telescopic

sights in the United States

which were believed

to be used for the purpose of attempting

BATISTA's assassination.

attempt launched by Cubans in the United States and Mexico

had

sold out to PRIO.

They also felt that it was entirely

possible that an attempted assassination might be made against

BATISTA•

operating a

short wave radio transmitter and receiver on

behalf of EMILO OCHOA, leader of one faction of the Orthodox

Party of Cuba. It is

to be noted that OCHOA and PRIO, accord-

ing to numerous reports, have been closely associated

each other and representatives of the Authentic and Orthodox

Parties, respectively, in order to unseat the BATISTA

Government.

(This clandestine radio operation will be dealt

with in greater detail elsewhere in this report.

T-5, said that MARTINeL was in short wave radio

contact with PRIO and OCHOA followers in Cuba and Mexico.

He said that MARTINEZ had indicated that a revolutionary

attempt against BATISTA would take place shortly before Cuban

elections, scheduled for November I, 1954, and that the

revolution would be preceded by a student uprising,

followed

by armed landings from boats, including one boat which was

then at Campeche, Mexico.

This boat was allegedly destined

for Bata Bono; a

port in the extreme southwestern side of

Cuba.

T-5 said that MARTINEZ also disclosed that 80 men

would board an unidentified vessel in Miami, being picked

up from small boats as this vessel proceeded down the Miami

River and out of Biscayne Bay. MARTINEZ disclosed to T-5

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that he had been invited by OCHOA to personally accompany

OCHOA on this revolutionary maneuver.

He claimed that if the

revolution succeeded he, MARTINEZ, expected to be named chier

of Communications in Cuba and that he would also get a "cut"

on electrical imports into Cuba.

MARIO MARTINEZ is an American born citizen residing

in Miami.

T-5 also said MARTINEZ was in very frequent con»

tact with OCHOA and visited in the homes of both OCHOA and

PRIO.

Miami Informant I-l reported in October, 1954 that

CARLOS PRIO had made a statement in confidence to

one of his

close supporters to the effect that plans for a revolution

which had originally been scheduled for October 9, 1954,

were disrupted by the breakdown of support allegedly expected

from certain key

Army groups, and that preparations were

then going ahead for plans for a reorganization so that PRIO

expected to be in Cuba before November 1, 1954(5)

Miami Informant I-5 reported on October 29, 1954

that MARIO MARTINEZ had learned through either a Cuban radio

operator or members of the PRIO group in Miami that a general

uprising in Cuba was scheduled for the night of October 29,

that a revolution was scheduled for

election day, November 1, 1954, in Cuba, although about ten

bombs had been set off in the eastern part of Cuba on

October 29, 1954.

On October 28, 1954 Miami Informant I-l, of known

reliability, ascertained through sEGuNdo curl, one of

PRIO's closest associates, that a revolution would not take

place until after the November 1, 1954 elections.

told this informant that a seizure of guns which had taken

place by the Cuban Police in Havana several days previously

would not alter PRIO's plans.

this informant any specific date for a revolution.

1954 issue of the Miami Herald

carried an article entitled *100 Arrested as Cuba Bags

" Subversives'".

This article disclosed that 100 persons

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were jailed in Cuba after raids by Police which were aimed at

"subversive commandos" intent on disrupting the November 1,

1954 elections.

Those arrested were said to be adherents of

CARLOS PRIO.

Along with this article was a photograph show

ing a cache of arms seized in a private home

in the country

club section of Havana by Police.

These arms were said to

have a value of more than $300, 000 and included 82 machine

guns.

who entered Cure orted st bedy everal days that mo cHo,

November 1, 1954 elections there, was expected to issue, within

the next few days a declaration to Cuban newspapers that he

is coming over to the side of the Cuban Government. T-3

said that OCHOA was also expected to issue an expose of CARLOS

PRIO which would include a statement to the effect that

in a revolutionary move against BATISTA which had been

scheduled for November 1, 1954, but that PRIO had backed out,

fearing to return to Cuba, thereby leaving OCHOA in Cuba

"holding the bag".

(1) CLANDESTINE RADIO OPERATION

As previously indicated,

Miami Informant T-5,_of

known reliability, advised on October 21, 1954 that MARIO

MARTINEZ, a partner in Continental Communications of Florida,

a concern which specializes in repairing and installing two-

way radios, had been operating a clandestine transmitter

and receiver for EMILO OCHOA, a leader of one faction of the

Orthodox Party of Cuba. T-5 said that MARTINEZ was in almost

daily contact with OCHOA and also with CARLOS PRIO, or some

of PRIO's associates in Miami.

It is to be noted that CARLOS PRIO is a leader of

the Authentic Party and EMILO OCHOA, representing his faction

of the Orthodox Party, attended a joint conference of the

two Parties at Montreal, Canada in June, 1953, at which time

it was agreed, according to reports, that the

two Parties

would join forces in order to overthrow BATISTA.

T-5 said that MARTINEZ is a licensed "ham" radio

operator whose call letters are W4JAV. This informant said

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that MARTINEZ had been operating clandestinely for several

weeks and had been in radio communication with PRIO and

OCHOA followers in Cuba and Campeche, Mexico.

T-5 said that

MARTINEZ usually received messages in telegraphic code and

usually answered in plain text in Spanish.

Informant

ascertained that incoming coded messages are usually decoded

by OCHOA, who maintained in his possession

a code book.

This informant also reported on the same date

that OCHOA

was considering installing two-way radio units on

several automobiles which he planned to ship to Cuba. One

such unit had already been installed in OCHOA's car, which

he then kept in Miami.

On October 28, 1954 Miami Informant I-2 advised

that. MARTINEZ had employed a code

in communicating with one

PEDRO UGALDE of Campeche, Mexico.

T-5 reported during the latter part of Uctober,

1954 that MARTINEZ® contacts with OCHOA remained frequent

and daily until ctober 27, 1954, or shortly prior thereto,

when OCHOA, accompanied by EUGENIO GARCIA of Miami, went Dy

plane

to Jamaica.

GARCIA returned directly to Miami from

Jamaica.

However, according to T-3 who reported in the

early part of November, 1954, OCHOA made

a clandestine entry

into Cuba at Oriente Province in Cuban

L=S reported that after MARTINEL was apparently

unsuccessful in contacting OCHOA, that MARTINEZ' attempts

to maintain contact with individuals in Mexico and Cuba

reportedly decreased in frequency and that MARTINEZ

apparently abandoned such efforts in December, 1954

a representatie form federal Agency ren abidiets

being

investigations, I-? and T-8 ascertained independently of

each other in November and December, 1954 that MARTINEL

was extremely cautious in the operation of this radio

station and took many precautions in avoiding detection

and in concealing the identity of persons contacted.

Some

of his messages were in code and others were in plain text

in Spanish.

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On November 19, 1954 Miami Informant I-s ascertain-

ed that according to MARTINEZ, a radio contact on the Isle

of Pines off the coast of Cuba had been arrested by the Cuban

Government. T=5 reported that one of MARTINEZ' contacts in

Cuba had been RENE BENTANCOURT, who uses call letters COLCY

however T-5 also learned that MARTINEZ suspected BENTANCOURI of

being a "plant" of the luban Intelligence Service in high°E

trust him, and consequently was very circumspect

messages with BENTANCOURT.

T-5 said BENTANCOURT is a "ham"

radio operator in Cuba and had spent some time in November,

1954 in Miami in the company of MARTINEZ and associates of

PRIO and OCHOA. T-5 possessed no knowledge of the opera

tion of this clandestine radio station in January, 1955.

(2)

BOATS ALLEGEDLY INVOLVED IN

REVOLUTIONARY SCHEMES

(a) LE FRANCAIS

Information concerning the "LE FRANCAIS" has been

previously reported to the effect, brielly, that CARLOS PRIO

had entered into negotiations to have a 500 watt radio trans

sons o have

mitter installed on this boat, apparently for the purpose of

torterly, matt radio trange

but that PRIO

mitter and receiver installed instead.

T-5 had reported on December 3, 1954 that this boat

was owned as a matter of record by the Inter-Caribbean

Corporation of Miami and T-3 had reported on December 6, 1954

that this boat belonged to JOSE MANUEL CARAMES, former Chief

of Police in Havana who, according to I-3, was

associated with CARLOS PRIO and his group.

Miami Informant I-10, of known reliability, being

reported

been acquired by certain radical Cuban elements in Miami for

the purpose of using her in subversive activities against

the present Cuban Government.

Miami Informant I-ll, of known reliability,

reported on January 6, 1955 that he had determined through

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various Cuban

sources in Miami that JOSE MANUEL CARAMES,

owner of the "LE FRANCAIS", had been furnished the sum of

$25, 000 by CARLOS PRIO on condition that this vessel and

another one owned by CARAMES,

the

"MOLLIE-O", be available

to the PRIO organization should PRIO ever need it.

T-11

said that inquiries relative to the present operations of

this boat reflects that it is not hauling enough cargo at

the present time to make expenses and that if it were not

for PRIO's help, CARAMES would suffer a large financial

loss in the operation of the vessel.

On January 24, 1955 Miami Informant I-12, of known

reliability, being a representative of a Federal Agency which

conducts investigations,

advised that the registry. of

the

"LE FRANCAIS" had been

changed from Canadian to Costa Rican

and that the present owners of this vessel are listed as

JOSE C. CARAMES, JR. and PILAR LINERA LOPEZ, as of December

17, 1954, according to the Provisional Registar,

as issued

the Costa Rican Consul General in Miami.

The Master of

this vessel is listed as WILLIE EBANKS, citizen of Honduras,

and a resident alien of the United States living at 44 N. E.

Seventh Street, Miami, Florida.

I-12 said that another member of the crew was

WILLIAM MORALLES. This vessel cleared Miami January 20,

1955, according to T-12, and sailed January 21

any cargo or contraband. I-l2 said this vessel was supposed

to go to Costa Rica for coffee and cedar.

T-12 said it had been noted by a representative of

his agency that CARAMES possesses a card issued by the Costa

Rican Government authorizing him to operate a radio station.

However, I-12 had determined that the only radio equipment

now on

board this vessel is a marine radio receiver.

T-12 pointed out that PILAR LINERA LOPEZ, listed

as one of the owners, is identical to PASCASIO LINERA, which

fact he said was borne out also by the fact that a crew list

filed with

the Costa

Rican Consul General contained the name

PASCASIO LINERA LOPEZ.

T-12 also felt it could be

significant that LINERA and MORALLES are associated with

this vessel, inasmuch as both of these men pleaded guilty

on a charge

of conspiring to illegally export arms and

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ammunition without a license from the United States during

1954, following

investigation by United States Customs,

Miami.

T-12 said that MORALLES. had claimed that he would

be in

Cuba when the shooting started.

T-12 described

MORALLES as being a Cuban National who had acquired American

citizenship by virtue of service as a GI with the United

States Armed Forces.

T-12 described the "LE FRANCAIS" as being a 138.1

foot vessel with a 12 foot draft and a tonnage of 225.88.

It is motor driven.

(b) SACHEM II

On October 21, 1954 Miami Informant T-3 advised

that the "SACHEM II" was to be known as the "EL ZORRO" and

several other boats in the Miami area would allegedly

participate in an attempted revolution against BATISTA.

Miami Informant T-13,

of known reliability, report

ed on October 19, 1954 that TOM MCCRORI, Miami yacht

broker

nad made inquiries concerning the "SACHEM II"

yacht which had been purchased August

owner by the name of RAUL ALVA SANCHEZ of Mexico. This

informant said at the time this boat was purchased, ALVA

SANCHEZ had been accompanied to Miami by CRISTOBAL MARTINEZ

ZORILLA, a Mexican who has been previously carried in this

investigation as a contact or associate of the PRIO group.

T-13 said that TOM McCRORY indicated that he might captain

this boat when it left Miami at some time in the near future.

With regard to TOM McCRORY, it is to be recalled

that he allegedly particiapted in a transfer of arms and

ammunition to Cay Sal, a British

West Indies Island off the

coast of Cuba, in 1953.

These arms were later seized by

the Cuban Government.

T-13 was unable to determine at any

subsequent time that McCRORY had any further connection

with the "SACHEM II".

T-13 said this boat was ostensively to be used

for luxury fishing in Mexico and had undergone extensive

repairs in Miami and was then ready for departure at most

any time.

T-13. said that negotiations were then being made

to transfer the registry of this vessel from the American

to the Panamanian flag.

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On December 14, 1954 Miami Informant I-12, advised

that the "SACHEM II" had

obtained permission from the U.S.

Maritime Commission to transfer its'registration from American

to Mexican registry.

He said the boat cleared Miami December

14, 1954 for Nassau and that CRISTOBAL MARTINEL LURILLA went as

Master•

Crew members included LORENZO HARO, a Cuban, and

JAMES W. GREEN, an American.

A passenger was listed

as ERENA

PERRERA. On December 30, 1954 T-12 advised that the "SACHEM

II" had been searched with negative results.

T-12 described

CRISTOBAL MARTINEZ ZORILLA as being an admitted smuggler of

gold and as a suspected narcotics smuggler.

ZORILLA disclosed

to T.12 that he intended to smuggle scotch whisky from the

Bahamas to Mexico.

(c) MOLLIE-O

On October 21, 1954 T-3 stated that the "MOLLIE-O",

owned by.

the Port

revolutionary activities of the PRIO group.

(3) COMBAT TRAINING OF CUBAN

CIVIC FRONT, MIAMI

On October 15, 1954 Miami Informant Talli, of known

reliability, advised that a group of Cubans had been

combat tactics in the yard of CARLOS MARISTanI,

1890 N. W. 8lst Terrace, for several days preceding and that

these Cubans had been using what appeared to be weapons made

some of these Cubans had been over-

heard to make statements in Spanish about Cuba and "fire".

evening of November 27, 1954 SA EDWARD P.

GAZUR and GEORGE E. DAVIS, JR. observed

that there were a

number of Spanish speaking men in MARISTANY's residenc® zA

they appeared to be in a heated political discussion.

who understands spanish,

could hear them mention

CARLOS PRIO, BATISTA, GRAU SAN MARTIN and the Federal Bureau

of Investigation.

one point in the meeting, which lasted

until about 10:00 P.M., the Agents heard what appeared to be

the racking back of

a bolt on a Springfield rifle.

On November 2, 1954 CARLOS ISIDORO MARISTANY,

1890 N. W. 8lst Terrace, was interviewed by SAs GAZUR

and

DAVIS •

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MARISTANY advised that he is presently of the

'rente civico vubano,

"Cuban Civic Front"

Other members,

in addition to himself, included GIEBERT DELGADO in charge

of publicity and propaganda; HUMBERIO ALVARADO, SeCretary;

ANGEL ESCARTIN and MIGUEL MARINO. He said that on occasions

ILFREDO SANCHEZ ECHEVARIA had also been present.

individual is reported to be the son of AURELIANO SANCHEL

RANGO, who 1s the alleged head of the anti-BATISTA under-

in Cuba and who was formerly Minister of Education in

PRIO's cabinet.)

MARISTANY said that the purpose of this club was

to enlighten Americans as to the political situation in Cuba

in order to restore democracy in Cuba.

He claimed that the

group was not affiliated with any political party in Cuba,

nor organized Cuban group either in Cuba or the United States.

He denied that it was associated in any way with CARLOS PRIO

and said that it did not receive any funds from PRIO or any

other individual or political party.

MARISTANY acknowledged that meetings of this group

had been held at his own home and at the homes of other

members..

He admitted that on the evening of October 278

1954 either ALVARADO or ESCARTIN had brought to his home a

•30 caliber model 1903 Springfield bolt action rifle which

had been used by DELGADO for demonstration purposes that

evening.

MARISTANY also acknowledged that on at least three

occasions during the recent past combat tactics had been

held in his yard by members of the club.

He said that on

none of these occasions, however, did they use real weapons.

They did use two wooden guns, a broom and a mop.

He denied that either he himself or any other

member of the group,

so far as he knew, planned to go to

Cuba at any time in

the near future or to engage in any

revolutionary activities against BATISTA or anybody else.

When questioned as to the purpose of such combat tactics,

MARISTANY said he could not adequately explain why they

had engaged in such tactics.

He indicated that these

maneuvers served as a sort of outlet for their feelings

against BATISTA. He denied that he had made any attempts

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to recruit anybody to engage in any revolutionary activity

against the present Cuban Government or that he himself had

enlisted or attempted to enlist anyone for such purpose.

MARISTANY acknowledged that he had participated in

an attempt to picket the Cuban Consulate in Miami in Julyfie

1952,

along with GILBERT DELGADO and other individuals.

said that the Cuban Civic Club has no connection whatsoever

with the Accion Civica Cubano of New York City, although each

exists for the same

general purpose.

MARISTANY said that he is employed by the McKesson

Robbins Pharmaceutical Company in Miami as a Price Clerk and

has worked for this company six years. He said he formerly

His uncle, CARLOS MARISANY, was an official in PRIO's government.

(4) REACTION OF CARLOS PRIO TO

BATISTA'S ELECTION AS PRESIDENT

NOV EMBER 7, 1954

The Miami Herald on November 3, 1954 carried an

article entitled "Election Outcome Tragic Joke on Cuban

People, PRIO Asserts"

by GEORGE SOUTHWORTH, Herald Staff

Writer, who reported CARLOS PRIO as having declared that the

election of BATISTA "represents a tragic joke played on the

Cuban people".

In this article PRIO was quoted as having made the

following remarks:

"What happened in Cuba on November 1 can not

be called a general election.

"The state of persecution and violence created

by the armed forces moved Doctor RAMON GRAU SAN

MARTIN, BATISTA's only opponent, to withdraw from

the election on October 31.

"GRAU had asked for a postponement but BATISTA

rejected that demand, thus remaining the sole

candidate for presidency in the election.

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"Such a situation has no precedents in

Cuba's history and such a deed cannot validate

the de facto regime established by revolution.

Nor can it

solve the constitutional crisis under

which Cuba has lived since March 10, 1952."

The article stated that PRIO denied rumors that he

had joined forces with GRAU. It quoted him as stating "It

just happened that BATISTA forced GRAU to take the position

that agreed with my own stand concerning the election.

"BATISTA's objectives in going through with

the election were quite obvious.

"He wanted to make his dictatorship

legitimate through an apparent popular electoral

validation which would have allowed him to con-

sider himself a constitutional president.

"Thus he needed some kind of a general

election but when he was practically sure of his

defeat at the hands of GRAu, he createa a stave

of terror and violence and forced GRAU to with-

draw. "

The article also quoted PRIO as stating that the

"so-called" election returns published by BATISTA "represent

a tragic joke played on the people which embitters still

more the already dangerous situation on the island."

This article pointed out that PRIO had been fined

$9000 in October, 1954 by a Federal Judge in New York on a

charge of conspiring to ship arms illegally to Cuba; that

PRIO had entered a plea of no defense to that charge.

B. REPORT SUBSEQUENT TO NOVEMBER 1, 1954

INDICATIVE OF REVOLUTIONARY ACTION

BEING PLANNED AGAINST BATISTA GOVERNMENT

Miami Informant T-5 reported on November 4, 1954

that MARIO MARTINEL, previously mentioned as having operated

a clandestine radio on behalf

of the PRIO and OCHOA group,

had confided that terroristic tactics would be employed

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against BATISTA until such time as Cuban economy and

security conditions made possible a successiul revolutionary

action against BATISTA.

At the same

time MARTINEZ disclosed

that a split had occurred between PRIO and OCHOA because

PRIO had failed to finance the purchase of certain automobile

radio equipment needed by OCHOA.

Miami Informant T-7 reported in the early part of

brother-in-law of

T-3 expressed the opinion on November 4, 1954 that

PRIO had lost his opportunity in not striking before the

November 1, 1954 election, which election showed strong

BATISTA support in Cuba.

T-3 felt that PRIO would probably

resort to terroristic tactics in Cuba in opposition to

BATISTA..

Miami Informant T-15, of unknown reliability, but

who has purportedly furnished

some reliable information

previously,

Miami and that during the course of the casual conversation,

both had stated they hoped to see him in Havana soon.

gathered from this remark that the PRIOs were still interested

in fomenting a revolution in Cuba.

This informant pointed out

that since BATISTA is scheduled to take office February 24,

1955, that any attempt of PRIO to overthrow BATISTA would

logically be made prior to that date.

T-3 reported on January 4, 1955 that a conference

had been held at the home of CARLOS PRIO on New Years

Eve, or Day, at which time PRIO reiterated to some of his

leading associates his intention to overthrow the BATISTA

regime. T-3 possessed no details as to those in attendance

at this meeting.

T-3 was of the opinion that such an effort

would succeed only through assassination of BATISTA and he

felt this would prabably be the means by which PRIO would

attempt to overthrow the BATISTA Government, inasmuch as any

other method would prove futile, since BATISTA had been

elected by an overwhelming majority of the Cuban people.

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T-Il reported on January 6, 1955 that a small unit

of the Iriple A, the underground anti-BAtIStA organization

allegedly headed by AURELIANO SANCHEZ ARANGO, 15 presently

active in Miami, according to information received by him

through several

sources.

T-l1 said that members of this

unit include DIEGO VICENTE TEJERA, one of PRIO's chiet

Lieutenants and

close associates,

TONY SANTIAGO and his

brother ROBERTO SANTIAGO of Miami, and NOEL' DEL PINO, also

presently in Miami.

Toll said that meetings of this group

are frequently held at the home of SANTIAGO. T-ll said

that from what he can gather, the Triple A unit, described

above, consists of an inner-group of secret members of the

PRIO faction who are committed to engage in acts of violence

when necessary. He said that members of this group have

possibility of assassinating BATISTA and that

claims have been made that there is one among the group who

is willing to make such an attempt.

T=11

been

said however,

he

unable to obtain the identity.of

this individual

or to obtain any substantiating evidence.

It is to be noted that all of the members of this

unit described by Toll are well known associates of the

PRIO group in Miami.

Both T-3 and T-ll were of the opinion that any

attempted assassination of BATISTA of other act of violence

to seize his government would logically take place before

February 24

1955 when BATISTA is scheduled to take office

as the new President of Cuba.

On December 13, 1954 and on January 10, 1955 T-3

made available the November 1, 1954, November 15, 1954 and

the December 1

1954 issues of "Panfleto", a small leaflet

edited by SAVIUR CANCIO PENA, which is the

pen name for

SAIVADOR PENA, who has been previously investigated under

the Foreign Agents Registration Act, along with MILLO

OCHOA for preparing and publishing a considerable amount of

literature aimed against the BATISTA Government. PENA is

a naturalized American citizen of Cuban origin now reported-

ly living in Mexico.

This pamphlet contains information to the effect

that it is printed clandestinely in Cuba, this despite the

fact that PENA is reportedly living in Mexico.

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The December 1, 1954 edition of this pamphlet

contains an article in

Spanish reading when translated to

the effect that CARLOS PRIO

constitutional go verment, and freedom do tuba, and execute

traitors and will hold constitutional elections and then

retire from Cuban politics.

It also includes an article

concerning OCHOA which describes OCHOA as the indestructible

leader of the Orthodox Party and the hope of Cuban people who

is now

secretly in Cuba.

The November 1, 1954 issue of this same pamphlet

carried an article reading as translated, "The revolution is

on its way.

It cannot be checked.

doubt.

CARLOS PRIO,

MILLO OCHOA do not deflate the longings

of the free men of Cuba.

There are weapons and unsuspected

methods of fighting. Have faith."

Another article read "Remember Moncada.

Neither

Iorget

PRIO, MILLO, BARCENAS, AURELIANO and

Another article read "MILLO. OCHOA kept his word..

He is in Cuba to fight against the dictatorship The people

and

their party are following him. He is a leader."

Another read "Revolutions are not made by the

masses

but by active minorities. The former follow the

leader if he wins out."

PENA has admittedly worked on behalf of the PRIO

group prior to leaving Miami, Florida for Mexico. he has

also been closely associated

with OCHOA.

Miami Informant Tol reported on or shortly prior

to January 1l, 1955 that according to information

emanating from official Cuban circles, young Cubans had

begun to leave Cuba for key West, Florida in order to join

a revolutionary evasion force which was supposed to leave

from that point for Cuba in the near future.

These men

were reportedly to travel at their own expense and report

to 176 Doval or Duval Street, Key West, and ask for PEDRO

ARMENTOS, using the passwords "Cuba needs Cubans".

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On January 11, 1955 T-3 advised that he had

received no confirmation of such activity through his

sources and T-2 reported that he had also received no

substantiation of this information.

On January 12, 1955 Chief of Police VIENVEDITO

PEREZ, Key West, advised that he had noted no influx of

Cuban

Nationals

to Key West, other than as tourists.

SA JOHN C. BILLS ascertained that 176 Duval Street,

Key West,

is a non-existent address,

being a vacant lot.

Agent BILLS also ascertained that PEDRO ARMENIUS WaS unknow

to individuals in that neighborhood.

T-l also reported in December, 1954 that members of

the Orthodox Party, members of the Communist Party (PSP) and

members of the Association De Amigos De Aureliano were draw-

ing up plans for revolutionary action.

This informant also

stated that unidentified wealthy merchants, ostensibly non-

political but actually conniving with members of the former

PRIO Government, were also involved and that armed action

was planned for

the Christmas (1954) holiday period. This

informant said that an armed uprising was to begin in Pinar

Del Rio Province and that members of the old Cuban armed

forces would be involved in the revolt.

This informant said

that arms and uniforms were being transported daily to

different destinations in the trunks of private automobiles

and that arms were being landed at Arroyo De Mantua and at

Guanibar Beach by fishing boats and other small craft.

This informant said that Doctor ARNALDO ESCALONA

ALMEIDA, a Communist Lawyer,

represented the PSP in plans

for the coup and that he had been negotiating with Doctor

former Cuban President, EMILIO OCHOA

RAMON GRAU SAN MARTI SANCHEZ ARANGO. This Informant also

OCHOA, and AURELIANO

reported that a second PSP representative involved in these

plans was Doctor RAUL ROA, who was reportedly on close

terms with the Mexican Communist Party and the Soviet

Legation in Mexico.

C. INFORMATION CONCERNING ALLEGED TRAFFIC

IN ARMS AND AMMUNITION

T-16, who is believed to be reliable, reported on

October 29, 1954 that he had received information reflecting

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that JINO NEGRETTI, a Miami Attorney of Puerto Rican origin,

had indicated that he possessed information concerning 1000

rifles which were to be shipped to 'Cuba via Key West,

Florida and that NEGRETTI planned a trip to Cuba relative to

this transaction.

T-3 reported on January 18, 1955 that NEGRETTI had

recently approached representatives of the Cuban Government

in Miami with a proposition of furnishing information concern-

ing a large supply of arms and ammunition which was to be

smuggled to Cuba in return for which NEGRETTI wanted $5000io

said that when the Cuban authorities questioned NEGRETTI

at

length concerning his proposal, it was determined that

NEGRETTI had no specific information to offer.

T-15 reported on December 6, 1954 that he had

ascertained from various members of the PRIO organization

in Miami that a shipment of arms was to be handled by ANTONIO

possessed no specific information concerning the identity of

the boats involved.

Miami Informants T-2 and T-3 have reported during

the recent past on several occasions that there still appears

to be considerable traffic of a piecemeal nature in arms in

the Miami

area.

T-3 has expressed the opinion that some of

the activity in this field has been transferred from the

Miami area to the West Coast of Florida, particularly in the

area of Tampa, however he possessed no specific information.

Mr. JAMES OFFUTT, Assistant Supervising Customs

Agent, United States Customs

January 25, 1955 that investigations By Uhat a Statesa ustoms

relative to the Federal laws involving exportation of arms

and ammunition without a license, or conspiracy-to do so.

as prescribed by Section 452D of

Title 22 and Section 371,

Title 18, United States Code, have resulted as follows:

CARLOS PRIO SOCARRAS, Federal Court, New York City,

pleaded Nolle Contendere and was fined $9000.

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SEGUNDO

CURTT MESSINA (one of PRIO's closest

advisors), Federal Court, New York City, pleaded Nolle

Contendere; fined $6000.

DIEGO VICENTE TEJERA,

Federal Court, New York City,

pleaded Nolle Contendere, fined $5000.

probation.

RICARDO MADAN, Federal Court, New York City, pleaded

Nolle Contendere and fined $2500.

placed on

probation.

• PASCASIO LINERA LOPEZ, Federal Court, Miami, Florida,

pleaded guilty, fined $750.

WILLIAM VIDAL MORALES, Federal Court, Miami, pleaded

guilty, fined $750.

MARCOS DIAZ Y LANZ, case pending, Miami.

JUAN FERNANDEZ CASTRO y RODRIGUEZ, case pending,

Miami.

CARLOS HEVIA (close associate of PRIO), case pending,

New York City.

EUGENIO GARCIA, case pending, Miami.

EDUARDO GARCIA, case pending, Miami.

ERNESTO PRIETO, case pending, Miami.

DAVID ADELBERG, case pending, Miami.

ANTONIO ALFONSO, with

alias BOLIVAR DIAZ VASQUEZ,

case pending, Miami. (reported to be in Mexico).

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Each of the above described individuals have been

active in the Miami area.

several a the ham rests on the sae adras charges are

pending in the Miami area.

D.

MISCELLANEOUS

On September 3, 1954 Miami Informant I-17, who is

an admitted former Communist and who has reported some

reliable information in the past, advised that during the

previous week he

and another individual were called to the

nome of CARLoS PRIO.

where they were received by Doctor

MARTINEZ FRAGA and LUIS GUSTAVO FERNANDEZ, PRIOS private

secretary.

He said PRIO was also supposed to be present, but

at the last minute was unable to attend.

T-17 said that FRAGA and FERNANDEZ wanted him to

produce

and turn over to Miami newspapers information showing

BATISTA to be a Communist and to produce information concern-

ing any tie-in between Cuban Communists and Communists in the

United States.

T-17 said that he made no commitments.

On September 3, 1954 Miami Informant I-18, of known

reliability,

confirmed information furnished by T-17. T-18

said that FRAGA and FERNANDEZ explained that they would be

able to get evidence concerning Communism in Cuba and the

Communist connections between Cuba and the United States

from

DIAZ VERSON, a Cuban now residing in Miami who had investiga-

ted Communist activities in Cuba over a long period of time.

On September 16, 1954 SALVADOR DIAZ VERSON, 2969

S. W. 15th Street,

himself is not

a Communist, but that BATISTA tolerates

Cuban Communists in order to secure their votes and support.

He claimed there

are some 8u,000 to 90,000 Communists ir

Cuba, among whom

there are about 13,000 militant Communists.

He alleged there is traffic between Cuban Communists and

Communists in the United States,

but he was then

unable to

produce any evidence to substantiate this allegation.

DIAZ

stated he himself had formerly been connected with the

Counter Intelligence Espionage Unit of the Cuban Army and

that he later headed the Anti-Communist League of Cuba.

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II. RESISTANCE COMMANDOS

On December 10, 1954 Miami Informant T-1 advised

that an organization known as the "Comandos de Resistencia"

(Resistance Commandos) had recently been formed in Cuba and

was presumed to be

an arm of the PRIO revolutionary movement.

T-1 said the aim of this organization was to institute a

reign of violence against the BATISTA regime.

T-1 named LUIS ORTEGA,

• MARCOS G. VILLAREAL,

ARACELIO AZCUY and MARIO KUCHILAN as being the supreme

command or directive committee of this organization, with

headquarters in Miami, Florida.

T-1 said that the general

representative of this organization in Cuba was CANDIDO DE LA

TORRE.

According to T-I, this organization in November,

1954 published the first issue of a bulletin called the

Resistance Commandos, which included a declaration to the

effect that the Resistance Commandos were ready to give their

Lives in order to obtain Ireedom, peace and tranquillity for

the Cuban people,

ana that they intendea to do physical

violence to BATISTA and his partners in crime in an effort to

rid the country of its enemies and to liberate the people.

no a 148 3 30-Batx Are, Coconut pore, , an or coun

who resides

caused to be printed 2000 copies of a leaflet entitled

"Bulletin Number One of the Resistance Commandos" and that

on November 11, 1954 ORTEGA had produced 500 similar copies

on an air mail type paper.

This bulletin, as translated

from Spanish into English, reads as follows:

"BATISTA MUST BE FOUGHT WITH TERROR

"We are now at war with BATISTA. And we

proclaim, before public opinion, that all means

are good. Everything is lawful

struggle.

in this death

The Comandos de Resistencia are now

fighting in the streets of Cuba...Our men are

prepared to offer up their lives to achieve the

peace and calm of the mistreated Cuban people.

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"We are not prompted by infamous political

sectarianisms.

We are prepared to collaborate

in every noble attempt at insurrection which will

one day materialize

- but we believe that while

waiting for the arrival of the hour of liberty,

terror must be answered with terror.

The men who

are assuming the responsibility for

the crimes of

BATISTA must be duly sanctioned.

And not after-

wards, but now.

That is the task that the

Comandos de Resistencia are going to carry out.

We are already working with fervor. From the moment

and hour that we heard the first reports of the guns

that announced our underground action,

terror began

to spread among the shameful members of the regime.

Nothing will stop us.

We are going to attack the

persons of all the individuals who appear to be

publicly compromised with the murderer, FULGENCIO

BATISTA, and

those of all those who surround them;

whether

newspapermen, public

officials,

businessmen, foreigners or soldiers

We believe that Cuba is a country occupied by the

enemy.

Therefore, every Cuban guilty of

collaborating with the enemy is a traitor to the

fatherland

and must be shot.

We believe that if

BATISTA brings MARTA to all public functions,

cowardly seeking to shield himself behind an

un-

executors'.

We will not attack his family provided

meting out justice for considerations of a

sentimental character.

This is a warning to those

who are guilty and to the members of their families.

And deeds will demonstrate that it is a warning to

be taken into account.

"We turn to the people of cuba, in this first

oulletin, soliciting their cooperation.

The

Comandos are at the service of the public and are

the executors of its will.

We are not gangsters.

the gangsters are those who steal and murder, from

the government.

We are humble, hardworking Cubans.

We detest bloodshed, but we love liberty too much.

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"We aspire to having Cuba live in happiness and

peace.

To the achievement of these ideals we

rush

with determination.

And

may God aid us?..

"RESISTANCE COMMANDOS

"Havana, November, 1954"

It is to be noted that this bulletin purports to

have been prepared in Havana, Cuba, although actually it was

prepared in Miami, Florida.

With regard to the individuals named by Tol as

being leaders of the Resistance Commandos, the following

information is submitted.

LUIS ORTEGA Y SIERRA

T=3 reported on January 10, 1955 that LUIS OREGA

formerly owned

stock in the el fueblo Newspaper, Havana,

Cuba, and recently sold this stock for the sum of $40,000.

He also allegedly brought into the United States from

Cuba

approximately $25,000 when he left Cuba as an exile. I-3

said that since ORlEGA came to Miami about one and one-half

years ago, he has been more or less persona non grata with

CARLOS PRIO, inasmuch as ORTEGA became a critic of PRIO's

activities while PRIO was still President of Cuba.

said that PRIO is alleged to distrust ORTEGA and

him somewhat of a blackmailer.

considers

T-19 has previously reported in connection with

a Registration Act investigation of SALVADOR PENA and

EMILO OCHOA that LUIS ORTEGA was in very frequent contact

with OCHOA during 1954 in Miami and collaborated with them

in publishing a considerable quantity of anti-BATISTA

propaganda and also in publishing a manual containing

in publishing a vani

instructions relating to commando and military tactics,

including the use of various types of small arms.

the January 9, 1955

issue of "Bohemia", page

o1, contains a page entitled "1955 - In Exile"

showing

photographs of various Cubans in Miami. One of these

photographs shows CARLOS PRIO SOCARRAS sitting with

newspaperman LUIS ORIEGA SIERRA and ARACELLO ALCUT, along

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with a reporter of the "Bohemia". According to this reporter,

PRIO commented,

"Time has not been our ally, neither has it

been the ally of our enemy".

Another photograph showed LUIS ORTEGA and ANTONIO

PRIO, brother of CARLOS, discussing the bitterness of exiles.

Immigration and Naturalization Service records,

Miami, reflect that ORTEGA last entered the United States

Maren To,

31, 1954 with a non quota visa.

On May 27, 1954 he was

granted

a permit to reenter the United States from a trip he

planned to Mexico.

MARIO KUCHILAN

On January 10, 1955 T-3 advised that MARIO KUCHILAN,

who is a Cuban citizen of the Chinese Race, is a former

columnist for "Prensa Libre".

T-3 said that KUCHILAN

allegedly practiced blackmail tactics in editing his colum

T-3 said he has received information that KUCHILAN makes

frequent trips to Miami International Airport, where he sends

and receives mail via various airline stewards and pilots.:

T-3 said that KUCHILAN is very close to ORTEGA and to other

Cuban exiles in Miami.

Previous investigation relative to instant case

has disclosed that KUCHILAN has been in frequent contact with

PRIO, SEGUNDO CURTI and other leaders of the PRIO group.

Immigration and Naturalization Service records

reflect that MARIO ERNESTO KU CHILAN y SOL last entered Miami

Vovember 24, 1954, destined to 2295 S. Wo Ith street, Miami,

Florida.

His visa has been extended to dune 25, 1955. He

was described

as being a reporter by occupation

of the Chinese

Race and born April 26, 1910 in Havana, Cuba.

MARCOS G. VILLAREAL

T-3 reported on January 10, 1955 that MARCOS G.

VILLAREAL had been arrested ten days

previously in Cuba on

a conspiracy charge.

He said that VILLAREAL had been in

Miami recently but only for a period of about one month.

T-3 considered VILLAREAL to be

"small fry".

He described

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him as having been a member of "Accion Guiteres", a secret

terroristic group in Cuba which was active from about 1946

to 1952.

Immigration and Naturalization Service, Miami,

possessed no record on this man.

ARACELIO AZCUY

T-3 reported on January 10, 1955 that ARACELIO AZUY

is presently receiving $50 per week

for expenses from RICARDO

ARTIGAS, former Chief of the Cuban Lottery now living in

Miami as

a permanent resident

and who is one of PRIO's close

advisors.

ro3 said that AZCUY has always been associated with

"left wing" organizations and ideas.

He said that AZCUY

frequently visits at the home of TONY SANTIAGO at 326 S. W.

and also visits almost every day the office

of ELISEO

2Oth Road RIBRA doMEZ, who is registered under the Forelg

Agents Registration Act.

examination a book en It ed i Ta! mame de Concentracion"

written by AZCUY in the Spanish language.

This was one of a

number of books bearing the same title which had been sent

to Miami from Mexico,

where it had been published by

"Ediciones Humanismo" on March 10, 1954 and printed by

"Impresiones Modernas," S. A., Tabasco Number 275, Mexico City.

An examination of this book by SA LEMAN L. STAFFORD,

freedom is suppressed; that people are tortured, and claims

other outrages against the Cuban people

The book includes

a long list of Cuban political exiles residing in Mexico,

the United States, and other countries.

The book contains

approximately ten

cartoons drawn by SAVIUR CANCIO PENA,

previously mentioned in this report.

The book also contains a biographical sketch of

AZCUY. It reflects that he formed a group of students known

as the Authentic Youth

Revolutionists; that he was a member

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of the Executive Body of "Youth in Defense of the Spanish

Republic"; that he was a member of. the "Committee For

Assistance to the Spanish Children"; that he founded the

youth division of the Authentic Party and was elected to

and that he

while there founded a committee "Pro-Independence of Puerto

Rico"

a committee

"Pro-Spanish Republic"

"Pro-Democrary in the Dominican Republic, a committee

"Aid to China Against the Japanese Republic".

and a committee

This biography also reflects that while President

of the Federation of University Students (FEU) he went to

Puerto Rico at the invitation of a students' council and

there made an

appeal for independence for the "Island of

Albizu Campos".

The biography points out that AZCUY's

appeal caused

such

a commotion within and outside of Puerto

Rico that he was violently exiled from the island.

The biography also reflects that in 1948 he was

appointed by AURELIANO SANCHEZ ARANGO to be Chief of

Personnel of the Department of Education.

On January 18, 1954 Miami Informant I-20, of known

reliability, being a representative of a Federal Agency which

conducts investigations, advised that according to a dune,

report which had been brought to the attention of his

office, ALcur was described as being a suspected "fellow

traveller", though not a Communist.

T-20 also possessed another report dated October,

1948, which described AZCUY as being a close friend of

SANCHEZ ARANGO, who was then Minister of Education in Cuba.

T-20 was in possession of several newspaper

inknowns, Ineluding one dated December 28, 1954 (newspaper

which quoted AZCUY as denying that he had suggest-

ed to JUAN MARINELLO (Communist Party leader in Cuba) that

he attack the United States.

T-20 possessed information reflecting that AZCUY

left Cuba October 15, 1953 for Mexico, alter having been

granted asylum in the Mexican Embassy in Havana, as result of

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bury, 1953n involved in an uprising at Santlago de Cuba in

On November 10, 1954 ARACELIO RAFAEL AZCUY CRUZ

filed an "Application to Extend Time of Temporary Stay".

This

application reflected that he had arrived at the Port of Miami

October 22, 1954 for a thirty day visit from Mexico and

intended to visit his friend LUIS ORTEGA, 3750 Park Avenue,

Coconut Grove, Miami.

1-20 advised that on November 17, 1954 a 42 year old

Suban woman,

ANGELICA PETRONILA FERRER Y MORALES, Came to Key

West, Florida and applied for admission

as a temporary

visitor, but was excluded after she admitted that the purpose

of her visit was to have intimate relations with AZCUY, who

had come from Miami to Key West to see her.

I-20 on December 2, 1954 said AZCUY was interrogated

concerning the above-mentioned Cuban woman.

He described her

as being a female auxiliary of his political party, the

Authentico in Cuba and he implied that the purpose

of her

visit was for a political talk with him in Key West, where he

having made arrangements

for rooms at a

Key West hotel.

had gone to meet Allur described himself as being a political

refugee and

said he had written a book very strongly opposed

to the BATIstA regime which prevented his return to Cuba. He

denied

that he had ever been a member of the Partido

Socialista Popular (Communist Party) in Cuba.

On January 24, 1955 T-18 advised having received

information through AZCUY to the effect that AZCUY had trang

ported forty .45 caliber revolvers or automatics from Miami

to Key West, Florida in two suitcases in November

1954 for

the purpose

of turning these weapons over to ANGELICA

PETRONILA FERRER y MORALES so that she could transport them

back to Cuba on her return trip.

T-18 did not know the

ultimate destination in Cuba of

these guns

according to

AZUY's original plans. I-18 said that AZUY, of course,

had been prevented from carrying out his plan,

inasmuch as

the woman had been excluded from entering the

United States

by the

Immigration and Naturalization Service authorities.

T-18 did not know whether AZCUY still has possession of

these guns, or whether he has since disposed of them.

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Also on January 24, 1955 I-18 reported that he had

ascertained through Cuban friends that AZCUY is considered

by them to be a Communist.

CANDIDO DE LA TORRE

On January 10, 1955 T-3 advised that CANDIDO DE LA

TORRE disappeared from

Mexico where he had been residing and

is now located somewhere secretly in Cuba.

DE LA TORRE has been previously mentioned many times

in this investigation and it has been pointed out in this

report that DE LA TORRE was one of the victims in a $240,000

the money in question having

buying arms and

ammunition

III. TRIPLEA

On January 6, 1955 T-ll advised that according to

information which has come to his attention, a small unit of

the Triple A,

the underground anti-BATISTA organization

T-11 named as

members of this unit DIEGO VICENTE TEJERA, TONY SANTIAGO and

his brother ROBERTO SANTIAGO and NOEL DEL PINO. T-11 said that

meetings of this group are being held at the home of ToNY

SANTIAGO, 326 S. W. 20th Road, Miami. I-ll said that from

what he can gather through associates of the PRIO group, the

Miami members of this organization constitute an inner-group

of secret members of PRIO followers who are committed to

engaging in acts of violence when necessary.

• He saed that

members of the group mentioned above have considered the

possibility of assassinating BATISTA and claims have been

made to the effect that one among the group has been found

who is willing to make such an attempt.

On January 20, 1955 I-11 reported that he

suspected that additional members of the

Triple A include

MARIO KUCHILAN, SEGUNDO CURTI,

GULLEREMO PUJOL (who is now

PASCASIO LINERA, MARCOS DIAZ, and perhaps Luis

in Miami'"-Il said all of these individuals frequently meet

at the home of ANTONIO PRIO and some of them meet at the

home

of TONY SANTIAGO, and that these meetings appear to be of a

conspiratorial nature.

THEN UH, 16+2498.4197139

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T-ll possessed no specific information and he

indicated that the above information was based upon general

observations and suspicions.

T-ll also suspects that MARIO KUCHILAN may be a

contact man for the Communist Party.

He said that this

suspicion was based upon a conversation which MARIO KUCHILAN

had with LOMBERTO DIAZ, a follower of PRIO, recently when

reference was made to work for the Communist Party.

T-11

possessed no additional information to support this suspicion.

IV. MOVIMIENTO NACIONAL REVOLUCIONARIO (MNR)

(NATIONAL REVOLUTIONARY MOVEMENT)

Miami Informant I-21 on December 9, 1954 directed

attention to an article which appeared in the December 1,

1954 issue of the "Diario de las Americas" of Miami concern-

ing an interview by a newspaper representative with Doctor

RAPHAEL GARCIA BARCENAS, head of

the Cuban National

Revolutionary Movement.

The translation from Spanish into

English of this article reflects that it bore the heading

"Waiting and Vigilance".

The article reflected that BARCENAS,

a Professor of the University of Havana, was named as the

President of this organization.

When questioned whether in

the event of an insurrectional movement would he go with the

MR alone or in conjunction with CARLOS PRIO, he replied to

the effect

"In any insurrectional opportunity that should

open itself to us, we would return with revolutionaries made

up of the different oppositional groupings...as before, and

as in the future, we will maintain ourself

faithful to the

line of revolutionary independence sponsored by the MNR

since its foundation."

When questioned as to his present position and

future plans, he replied in part, "Our present position is

one of waiting and vigilance. We will be zealously on the

watch for the moment in which, with our forces, we might

be of use to our suffering country....

Our future plans are

becoming oriented

in the sense that insurrection and

revolution are not concepts that are considered to be

synonymous, nor do they contradict themselves, rather do

they complement one another."

When asked to explain the foundations and

doctrines of the revolutionary movement over which he

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presides, BARCENAS replied in part, "The MNR was constituted

in order

to fuse into a single front the revolutionary

elements which are present in one part of the orthodoxy, in

one part of the authenticism and in one part of the citizenry

without soldiery".

On January 11, 1955 T-22,_ of known reliability,

advised that Doctor RAPHAEL GARCIA BARCENAS, his wife ano

eight year old daughter rented an apartment at 871 S. W. Third

Street, Miami, on November 13, 1954 and have been residing

ever since.

I-22 said that on December 24,

Latin who described himself as being CARLOS ALFARAS made

arrangements for a Cuban family consisting of two women, two

men and two children to occupy another apartment; that shortly

thereafter the woman

and children moved out and the two men

were joined by two additional Cubans.

He said that Doctor

BARCENAS was in contact with these Cubans, whose names were

never known to T-22, however he felt that

their activities

were suspicious inasmuch as they engaged in excited

discussions which appeared to be of a political nature.

He

said that ALFARAS, although making the arangements for the

occupancy of one

of the apartments, did not remain there.

He

also recalled that ALFARAS was well supplied with money.

T-22 also made available for examination one copy of

a small newspaper entitled "Unidad Revolucionario" dated

January

1955 which had been made available by the wife of

BARCENAS. This is a Spanish language newspaper and it

purports to be the official organ of The Club of Exiled Cubans

!J. MARTI!". It contained an article mentioning the name of

BARCENAS in conjunction with the National Revolutionary

Movement

dictatorship of Cuba since March, 1952.

T-22 said that BARCENAS appears to lead a rather

quiet life, although most of his time is spent away from the

apartment.

T-22 said that BARCENAS had claimed, upon being

questioned, that he is not a "PRIO man".

On January 11, 1955 T-3 advised that BARCENAS, a

former Professor at the

University of Havana, and also at

is considered somewhat of a

the Cuban Military Academy 'CARLOS ALFARAS is a close associate

"crack pot".

He said that

of AURELIANO SANCHEZ ARANGO and reportedly came

from Mexico

to wait for "D Day" in Cuba.

•P=

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