MOVIMIENTO DEMOCRATA CRISTIANO
Agency: SSCIA
Originator: FBI
From: SAC, MIAMI
To: DIRECTOR, FBI
Document date: 3/4/64
Document type: PAPER, TEXTUAL DOCUMENT

## Page 1

Date: 06/27/94

Page: 1

JFK ASSASSINATION SYSTEM

IDENTIFICATION FORM

AGENCY INFORMATION

AGENCY : SSCIA

RECORD NUMBER : 157-10004-10118

RECORDS SERIES :

MEMORANDUM

AGENCY FILE NUMBER :

Released under the John

ussassination Recorda

Collection Act of 1992

i44 USC 2107 Notel.

Case#:NW 54653 Date:

10-23-2017

DOCUMENT INFORMATION

ORIGINATOR : FBI

FROM : SAC, MIAMI

TO : DIRECTOR, FBI

TITLE :

MOVIMIENTO DEMOCRATA CRISTIANO

DATE : 03/04/64

PAGES : 15

SUBJECTS :

MOVIMIENTO DEMOCRATIA CRISTIANO

CHRISTIAN DEMOCRATIC MOVEMENT

INTERNAL SECURITY - CUBA

CASTRO

ASSASSINATION PLOTS

DOCUMENT TYPE : PAPER, TEXTUAL DOCUMENT

CLASSIFICATION : U

RESTRICTIONS : 1B, 2, 4, DONOR REST., REFERRED

CURRENT STATUS : X

DATE OF LAST REVIEW : 06/27/94

OPENING CRITERIA :

COMMENTS :

box 377

[R] - ITEM IS RESTRICTED

HH 54653

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OSA GE.M. MEC.NO. M

UNITED STATE /ERNMENT

Memoïandum

SSCI BOX #

377=

TO

Director, FBI (97-4110)

DATE:

3/4/64

FRONT

SAC, Miami (97-328)

(P)

SUBJECT:

MOVIMIENTO DEMOCRATA CRISTIANO

(MDC) ;

IS - CUBA.

(00:1f1)

CIA HAS NO OBJECTION TO

DECLASSIFICATIOS AND/OR

RELEASE OF SA IFORMATIOA

A THIS DOCUMENT. GmB. 7/3/90

(9503 R1D/8el 3/2/94 REC

Re Miami letter, with enclosures, 11/22/63.

Enclosed are twelve copies of a LHM, dated and

captioned as above.

Copies of the LIM are being disseminated to INS;

CIA; G-2, Ft. McPherson, Georgia; Coordinator of Cuban Affai.

Department of State; U.

S. Coast Guard; U. S. Customs; U. S.

Customs, Region 2; U.

S. Bordei Patrol; ONI; and OSI, 6th

District, Robins AFB, Georgia.

MM T-1 is por

This

document

perpare

nation mitsi?

response to

уоит Сотт:

l the com

2:30

nel without the

express

approval of the

MM T-2 is

Enclosed LHM is being classified Confidential, in-

äsmuch as it contains information from CIA which was so

• class

unauthorized

person

precedings by

dissemi-

ALL INPORMATIOH CONTATED A

HEROIN

ROLASSIFIED

DATE.

1 98031g

54653

DooId: 322020

age

2

cled.

Miami will continue to follow and report activities

o: captioned organization.

2

2 - Miami !

- Bureau (EncyCLi

• -12) (PM)

DEREG-197-4110

- 26

(4). 2K

IS DED

CiA/St/BB INS/DIA/customs a 6 1961

by routiny slip for into.

immins/const GuaRECEIVED FROM

REVIEWED BY FBIJFK TAS@ERAGE l, Calan DO J

218/94 dal

ON

i:S

RELEASE IN PART

TOTAL DENIAL

---

## Page 3

In Reply, Please Refer to

File No.

UNITED

CATES DEPARTMENT OF. JU. ICE

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

SSCI BOX #

377-

Miami, Florida

March 4, 1964

CONFIDENTTAM

CIA HAS NO OBJECTION TO

DECLASSIFICATION AND/OR,

RELEASE OF CIA INFORIVATION

IN THIS DOCUMENT. *

(9803R00/8e1 210/64 JFK

RE: MOVIMIENTO DEMOCRATA CRISTIANO (MDC) ;

INTERNAL SECURITY - CUBA.

On November 20, 1963, MM I-1, another Government

agency which conducts intelligence investigations, advised

that the following information had been received from a

member of a group of Cuban emigres trained in the techniques.

of information collection, which group has provided useful

reports for over two years:

On November 2, 1963, a meeting was held by the

Democrata Cristiano (MDC), during which Laureano

*Batista Falla made an analysis of the MDC's military poten-

tial.

Batista concluded that the potential is almost nil,

because no ship could move out from the Miami River without

encountering problems. In addition, Batista said the MDC

does not have sufficient financial resources to move to

Central America.

Laureano Batista Falla 1s the military

Leader of the Met Or victin

On December 16,U1963, Laureano Batista Falla, 1n-

terviewed at MDC headquarters,

1732 N. W. 7th Street, advised

JEHDENINUALS

Mini, 51 a.

DECLASSITED BY 9803PDD/8E

01.7a154.

Luded per on attomatt

ongreding and

ease cation

NATIONAL SECURITY INFORMATION

Unauthorized Dis losure

Subject to Criminal Sanctions

DIL,

1.

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SSCI BOX #

3.780

CONELDENT A

RE: MOVIMIENTO DEMOCRATA CRISTIANO (MDC) .

that he continues as head of the military section of the

MDC.

Batista said the MDC was organized as a politi-

cal party in 1959, and is still a political party, although

it does have an action group. The MDC would like to separate

Itself from this action, or military group. Batista is in-

terested in forming a unity organization with the action

and military groups of the different anti-Castro organiza-

tions.

Batista

sald he had been negotiating military ac-

tion unity with the Comandos-I organization, but this unity

never materialized. The early negotiations between the two

organizations were to establish a mutual exchange of intelli-

gence and military equipment.

Batista would have liked to

have seen this unity develop into a unity of all action groups,

with each individual group discontinuing its former iden-

tity. Batista said that although he disagrees with Manuel

Ray, head of the anti-Castro organization Junta Revolucion-

aria Cubana (JURE), he would work with JURE, and thinks

Ray operates a very efficient organization.

Batista said that every six months the members and

Executive Coumittee of the MDC hold a conference during which

WEEDENTI

-2-

?!

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37%.

RE: MOVIMIENTO DEMOCRATA CRISTIANO (MDC) •

they set forth the current problems facing Cuban exiles

in the United States, and debate the possible solutions.

crom these debates, MDC policy evolves.

This policy 1s

then printed in a booklet entitled; "Our Position."

This

policy covers the social, military and economic plans of the

organization. The officers and Executive Committee of the

MDC are under obligation to follow this policy for a six-

month period, at which time another congress is held.

At the following congress, the policies are

changed or revised, depending on current conditions af-

fecting Cuban exiles.

On January 13, 1964, Detective Henry Suarez,

New York City Police Department, advised he interviewed

Gaspar-Vilato, JI., on January 9, 1964, and Vilato furn-

ished the following information:

Vilato stated he was born in Camaguey, Cuba, and

entered the United States in January, 1962, at Miami, Flor*.

1da. He previously resided in Miami, Florida, and 18 a

member of the Movimiento Democrata Cristiano. Vilato said

that Victor Paneque Batista, commonly known as Comandante

121eg0, Is connected with the MDC, and frequently travels

to New York Clty from Miami in order to pick up money,

BONNEDENT

Nit

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SSC. 60X ##

378°

GILDENTAL

RE: MOVIMIENTO DEMOCRATA CRISTIANO (MDC) •

supplies and explosives for anti-Castro activities by the

MDC. Vilato stated Paneque was in New York recently,

Volkswagon in which he was carrying

and departed several days previously something. „reen

declined to identify the material which Paneque took

back with him to the Miami area.

Vilato stated the green Volkswagon is the prop-

erty of Laureano Batista Falla, who is in charge of the

action group of the MDC in the Miami area.

Panegue

frequently drives this green Volkswagon, and is closely

associated with the MDC.

On January 14, 1964, Inquiry made at the resi-

dence of Laureano Batista Falla, 1300 S. Bayshore Drive,

Miami, Florida, reflected he was not there.

On January 14, 1964, Benigno Galnares, Office

Manager, MDC headquarters, 1732 N. W. 7th Street, Miami, / /

advised he had not seen Laureano Falla for about a week

or two, and that he did not know where Batista could be

located. Galnares said the 1964 green Volkswagon bus,

Florida Registration ID 59360, is the property of Laureano

Batista Falla, and at that time was parked behind MDC

headquarters.

Galnares advised that Victor Paneque Batista,

a friend of Batista Falla, had recently returned from New

CONFIDENTIAL

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€00 20%

37%

RE: MOVIMIENTO DEMOCRATA CRISTIANO (MDC).

ork with this Volkswagon bus

trip or what he might have brought back to Miami in

the bus. Galnares claimed

that various members of the

MDC use this Volkswagon bus, and it is frequently parked

behind the MDC headquarters.

on January 14, 1964, ММ I-2,

advised

and 1s a personal friend and acquaintance oft

MM I-2 advised he knows a girl who lives in

the same apartment building as Batista Falla, and had just

telephonically contacted this girl. MM I-2 sald he was

told by the girl that Batista left Miami on January 8, 1964,

and would be gone for about two weeks. The girl did not

know where Batista had gone, but did not indicate he went

to Cuba or left the United

States.

On January 14, 1964, Mr. Stanley Schachter, U.S.

Customs Agent, Miami, advised that in September, 1962, U.S.

customs Agents 1n Miani, Plorida, confiscated a cache of

arms belonging to Batista Falla and Victor Paneque, at

Paneque's residence.

MI. Schachter advised U. S. Custome was Inter-

ested 1a the present whereabouts of Batista Falla, and at

that time was attempting to locate him.

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SSCI BOX #

378-

CONFIDENTRAL

RE: MOVIMIENTO DEMOCRATA CRISTIANO (MDC) •

On January 14, 1964, MM I-2 advised that Batista

Falla's parents reside in New

York City, and that he fre-

quently contacts them at their residence, 910 - 5th Avenue,

New York City, when he, Batista, is in New York.

On January 22, 1964, Jose Mestre, 910 - 5th Ave-....

nue, New York, New York, advised he had not seen Batista

Falla in several weeks, and had no knowledge as to the

present whereabouts of

Batista.

Mestre said he was positive Batista was not

In New York City, and that Mr. and Mrs. Agustin Batista

reside in the same apartment building, and at the present

time were in Miami, Florida, and had no knowledge of the

present whereabouts of their son, Laureano Batista.

Mestre continued that Laureano does not mention

will get out of the military activities in which he is

engaged. Mestre stated he usually contacts Adela De La

Campa, who 1s very close to Laureano, and the last contact

with De La Campa was about a week previously, at which time

she said she did not know Laureano's whereabouts, but that

he would return to Miani In about fifteen days from then.

On January 27, 1964, MM T-2 advised he had as-

certained from a friend of Batista Falla that Batista

WIDENTLAL

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"tis -

SSCI BOX #

377=

CON A DENTIAL

RE: MOVIMIENTO DEMOCRATA CRISTIANO (MDC) •

left Miami on January 7, 1964, for Oriente Province, Cuba,

on a Signa-type fishing boat, with another small, fast

boat accompanying it. About seven or eight persons went

on this mission.

Photographic equipment, medicine, and a

few small arms were taken. The purpose of the mission was

to infiltrate several people into Cuba.

As of January 27, 1964, Batista was three days

overdue in returning to Miami.

On January 27, 1964, Mr. Schachter, U. S. Customs

Agency, advised that about five days previously, a U.S.

Coast Guard airplane spotted a Signa-type boat near Racoon

Cay, Bahamas, which cay is about fifty miles off the north

cap teed

shore of Cuba. It was believed that this Sigma-type

fishing boat was identical with the one owned by Laureano

Batista Falla.

The U. S. Boast Guard notified British authori-

ties who dispatched a British frigate to intercept the

Sigma-type fishing boat. It was believed that if the British

did not arrest and detain the occupants of the boat, the U. S.

Coast Guard would bring it and its occupants back to Miami.

On February 3, 1964, local police, Miami, Florida,

located the Sigma-type fishing boat at Crandon Marina,

Mamt, Florida, and noted the boat was abandoned, but contained

CONFIDENI

=7-

Mine Ty pray

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SSCI BOX HI

2101

RE: MOVIMIENTO DEMOCRATA CRISTIANO (MDC) •

a note stating that the crew had gone for spare parts to

make repairs on the boat.

On February 3, 1964, MI. Schachter advised that

two crew members had returned

to the boat, had been de-

tained by U. S. Customs authorities who confiscated the

boat.

On February 3, 1964, Fidel Alberto Zaldivar

Farinas, 1567 S. W. 4th Street, Apartment 3, Miami, Florida,

advised he is a member of the MDC, a student by occupation,

and operates

"Sigma X," a thirty foot fishing boat owned by

Laureano Batista Falla. Zaldivar said he used the boat

periodically. for commercial fishing, and had returned to

Miami on the boat at about 1 A.M. on February 3, 1964.

Zaldivar stated he, along with Laureano Batista

Falla, Angel Vega, Emerito Ruiz, Leovino Interan and

i. ..

Enrique Infante, left on the "Sigma X" boat from the

Miami River, Miami, on January 8, 1964, at about 11 P.M. i

They subsequently arrived at Nurse Cay, Bahamas,

and waited there for nine days. They were waiting for

Cuban refugees who were supposed to flee Cuba and be taken

back to the United States on the "Sigma &." After nine

days at Nurse Cay, the "Sigma X" was running low on fresh

30F:

AUDDING

-8-

-9;

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SSCI BOX #

377-

RE: MOVIMIENTO DEMOCRATA CRISTIANO (MDC) •

wath the motors fuel purpon Sig let had devel dece

pants, then went to Staniel Cay and remained there for

about five days. During this time, Laureano Batista Falla

boarded a commercial airplane and flew to Nassau, New

Providence, where he spent two days and then returned to

Staniel Cay with a new fuel pump for the boat.

The boat

then departed Staniel Cay and via northwest Providence

Channel, arrived at Great Isaac Light, and from there

returned to Miami, Florida, arriving at about 1 A.M., on

February 3, 1964.

Zaldivar stated the boat contained no automatic

weapons, no guns of any articles of war. The purpose of

the mission was to bring refugees back to the United

States. These refugees were friends of Enrique Infante.

Zaldivar stated the mission was not an MDC operation, as

such, and the persons on the boat went together voluntar-

Ily, rather than at the directions or orders of the MDC.

On February 3, 1964, Emeritò Ruiz Comas, 1177

N. W. 7th Court, Miami,

Florida, advised he is a Cuban

national who was born in Cuba on January 18, 1921. Ruiz

said he is a fisherman by occupation, and is a member of

the MDC.

subject on priaties

CONFLUENT

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SSCI BOX #

377-

RE:

MOV IMIENTO DEMOCRATA CRISTIANO (MDC).

Ruiz stated he, along with Fidel Zaldivar,

Angel Vega, Leovino Interan, Enrique Infante and

Laureano Batista Falla, departed from Miami about

January 8, 1964.

They were aboard the "Sigma X,"

& thirty foot commercial fishing boat owned by Batista,

but did not have any arms or articles of war aboard the

boat.

They subsequently arrived at Nurse Cay, Bahamas, :

waited nine days for Cuban refugees to meet them, and af-

ter running low on food and water, decided to return to

Miami.

They put in to Staniel Cay, and lay there for

about five days while Batista went

to Nassau to obtain

a new fuel pump for the boat. The "Sigma X" boat was in

bad operating condition; the motor would only give the

boat a speed of about six knots; and, there were other

difficulties with the motor besides the fuel pump. The

"Sigma X" returned to Miami about 1 A.M., February 3,

1964, and was left at a marina because of motor failure.

Ruiz and Zaldivar went into Miamf and located

a couple of friends who also had a Sigma-type fishing

boat.

These friends volunteered to tow the "Sigma X"

back up the Miami River where repairs could be made.

when Ruiz and Zaldivar got back to the "Sigma X," they

were detained by U. S. Customs Agents, and the boat confis-

cated.

- 10-

il!

143-44

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SSCI BOX #

3.72:

RE:

MOV IMIENTO DEMOCRATA CRISTIANO (MDC).

Ruiz stated that none of the occupants of the

"Sigma X" went ashore in Cuba or went near the Cuban

coast, but they did

go ashore in the Bahamas.

Ruiz advised they encountered no British frigate

or other government boats, but did see a U. S. Coast

Guard plane fly over them.

Ruiz advised the trip was not

authorized by any branch of the U. S. Government, and was

made without U. S. Government knowledge.

On February 6, 1964, Laureano Batista Falla advised

he had no comment concerning any information to the effect

that he may have been out of the United States and in the

Bahamas during the past month.

Batista stated as the Military Security Officer

of the MDC, his duties are to brief MDC officials on general

military matters as they affect Cuba. The organization has

not authorized him to carry out any military operations. If,

and when, Batista is Involved in military activities in

cuba, he

iIs in no way acting as an agent of the MDC.

Batista said that he helped found the MDC and he

created the post of Military Secretary. He continues in

this position, and nobody in the organization has sought

the position or has objected to Batista's having this

position. Batista said that all the equipment used by the

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SSCI 80X #

377-

RE: MOVIMIENTO DEMOCRATA CRISTIANO (MDC) .

Military Section of the organization is Batista's personal

property, paid for by himself, and in no way belongs to

the organization.

Batista said naturally he has some opposition in

the organization. Some people consider him as being at

odds with U. S. Government policy. Batista said it was his

opinion that the United States political aims and foreign

policy does not coincide with that of the Cuban exiles. To

work with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), 1s to work

for the U. S. aims and goals, which are not necessarily the

aims and goals of Cuba for Cuban exiles.

According to Batista, there is no mutual field

of interest between the United States Government and Cuban

exiles. For the U. S. Government to overthrow the present

government of Cuba, is to resolve a United States problem,

not a Cuban problem. If Cuban exiles would overthrow the

present government of Cuba, there would still be many U. S.

Government problems not resolved. Batista said he had in

the past visited Washington, D. C., and conferred with

U. S.Government officials in an effort to establish a mutual

field of interest where Cuban exiles and the U. S. Govern-

ment could work for mutual benefit, without success.

Batista

charged that while the U. S. Government complains there is

no unity among cuban exiles, he believes the United States

actually does not want unity. He alleged that during 1960,

-.

•12-

TAT

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377-

RE: MOVIMIENTO DEMOCRATA CRISTIANO (MDC) •

when the Frente Revolucionario Democrato existed, and

later became the Cuban Revolutionary Council (CRC), a

unity organization, the CIA still worked against unity

of Cuban exile groups.

He said CIA did not work for

unity within the CRC, but dealt with each individual or-

ganization on different terms. CIA refused to work with

the leaders of the CRC as representatives of the several

organizations. He alleged this policy has persisted to

the present time.

Batista

stated that military operations from the

United States against Cuba would probably be continued by

himself and other MDC members. They prefer to work in the

Miami, Florida, area, because of its closeness to Cuba,

good facilities for operating boats, availability of the

large number of Cubans to serve as mechanics, and to do

other necessary labor.

Batista said that many of the Cuban exiles in Miami

have jobs, can contribute money, and can work for organiza-

tion on weekends and during their off hours. The large

community in Miami, Florida, makes it easier for the Cuban

exiles to obtain necessary equipment to go on military ex-

peditions against Cuba.

In addition, he alleged that in Latin America,

United States diplomats Influence the local governments

to stop the Cuban exiles from going on military missions.

He said when they are stopped by the local police in Latin

LONG DENTITAN

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377-

DONTIDENTTA

RE: MOVIMIENTO DEMOCRATA CRISTIANO (MDC) •

America, these police treat the Cubans in a harsh manner;

violate their civil rights; and, confiscate property and

equipment belonging to these Cuban raiders. By contrast,

local police and Federal Agents in the United States treat

the Cubans courteously, and very seldom prosecute anybody.

satista said it is apparent that although the Unite

States Government has a policy of stopping Cuban raiders,

It does not have a policy of prosecuting them.

This document contains neither recommendations

nor conclusions of the ril. It is the property of the

Fbl and is loaned to your agency; it and its contents are

not to be distributed outside your agency.

CONFA DEN MYAL

-14*-

згяуть

•". *-g.94)

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UNITET :TATES DEPARTMENT OF JU

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

rICE

In Reply, Please Refer to

File No.

SSCI SOX#

377-

Miami, Florida

March 4, 1964

RE: MOVIMIENTO DEMOCRATA CRISTIANO (MDC) ;

INTERNAL SECURITY - CUBA.

Reference is made to the memorandum, dated and

captioned as above, at Miami.

MM I-2 has furnished reliable information in

the past.

This document contains neither recommendations

nor conclusions of the FBI. It la the property of the

FBI and is loaned to your agency; it and its contents are

not to be distributed outside your agency.

,777

5. 15

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