Agency: HSCA
Originator: HSCA
From: ORR, PATRICIA
Document date: 00/00/0000
Document type: PAPER-TEXTUAL DOCUMENT

## Page 1

180-10100-10218

JFK Assassination System

Identification Form

Agency Information

Date:

10/2/201

AGENCY:

HSCA

RECORD NUMBER :

180-10100-10218

RECORD SERIES:

NUMBERED FILES

AGENCY FILE NUMBER: 012887

Document Information

ORIGINATOR: HSCA

FROM:

ORR, PATRICIA

TO :

TITLE:

DATE: 00/00/0000

PAGES:

13

SUBJECTS :

ANTI-CASTRO ACTIVITIES

FBI, ADMINISTRATION

CIA

DOCUMENT TYPE: REPORT

CLASSIFICATION: Unclassified

RESTRICTIONS: 1B

CURRENT STATUS :

Redact

DATE OF LAST REVIEW :

08/16/1998

OPENING CRITERIA:

COMMENTS :

226-2. Box #:226.

N9.1

NW 50955

DooId: 32258660

Page

---

## Page 2

012887

Paulino Sierra Martinez Notes

P. Orr

2 volumes - Main file and references

File #105-121010

Section 1, Serials 1-35

from back

toward

— News article "Gamblers Pop Out of Exile Grab bag"

5/19/63

Miami News, Miami

re: offer of $30 million by Chicago gamblers

_ Report of FBI of departure

105-121010

from Ralton Airport, Toronto to Chicago, Ill.

on January

8, 1963

for Paulton Sierra Martinez

Admitted under Section 0-1 Imm. Perm.

Residence. To residence at 4144 N. Clarendon Avenue, Chicago

13, Ill. Employed by Union Tank Car Co., Chicago, Ill.

Traveling done

6'3", brown hair, brown eyes

- CIA biographical data 11 Feb. 1963

Gives education, employment, residence

- CIA CS DB - 3/654,388 30 April 63

Confidential

Report of info re: Sierra

30 April 1963

Source: Radio technician (F) formerly associated with Cuban

Ministry of Conmunications

Appraisal: 3

March 29, 1963. Sierra claimed he represented group of

Americans in Chicago with financial interests in L.A.

interested in combining their effort with those of Cuban

exiles to overthrow. Castro regime with or without u.s.

government approval. Sierra contacted Lusebio Lujal Barniol

of CTC and Gen. Campos Marquetti of Arianza para la

Liberfad de Cuba

At meeting on March'3D Campo indicated the Lawyers Corp.

and the American Bankers would put up about 55 million

dollars. Sierra said American financial interests would

participate on condition that there was a true unity of

the majority of Cuban groups in exile. For military planning

he claimed he had assistance of two general (one who had

participated in Normady invasion, the other in a "disem-

barkation" in Korea.

Also

: 4 admirals and 4 rear admirals

all who had served with U.S. forces, willing to arrange

for arms and establishment of training bases in a L.A.

country.

NW

50955' DocId: 32258660 Page 2

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## Page 3

- 2-

March 30 - Sierra said he had meeting with owner of

King Ranch, who had a personal message for Sierra, from a

I.A. president indicating this country would permit esta-

blishment of base.

April 2 - Sierra to travel to P.R. through N.Y.

— CIA Report

IDCS

DB-3/654,530

7 MAY 1963 Re: Sierra

Source: Cuban lawyer; rightist Cuban exile and rightist

Latin American exile

May 6, 1963

MPR received invitation from Paulino A. Sierra

to discuss military unification. (Sierra reportedly had

been employed by Carlos Saladrigas, minister under Batista

who had unsavory reputation)

May 2, 1963 meeting - Sierra presented a Mr. Trull (or Turull) as

guest speaker, also representing Chicago group willing to

lend assistance to extent of $30 million dollars, with.

necessary obligation that Cubans form unity group represent-

ing a majority of the exiles.

One of the promoters for meeting was George Franci, a Haitian

national, previously involved in gambling interests in

Havana. Francis said Turull represented such companies as

Standard Oil, Sears and Roebuck, Union Carbide.

Reportedly

Guatemalan government favorably disposed to lend a

in fight against Castro.

105-121010-2

6/14/63

Third information deleted.

William H. Trull told agents (unidentified which) he became

identified as friend of Cubans as result of having per-

formed as entertainer for Cuban groups in Chicago, con-

tacted by Sierra in March 63. (Remainder unavailable)

105-121010-3

5/25/63 Teletype to Director from SAC, Chicago re: Sierra

Trull advised he is formerly an entertainer.

Sierra wired tickets to Trull from Miami. Trull flew

May 1, registered at

Ponce de Leon Hotel and was asked by

Sierra to speak to Prio and (FNA) Mujal, former Cuban labor

leader and say he represented wealthy American interests who

had business propositions for Cuban people if they could

unify with Prio as President and Sierra as Secretary. Trull

did as requested. Also reiterated same to group at hotel.

Sierra told Trull he knew Trull could not influence financial

backing but that he did not need same since he had commit-

ment from syndicate of hoodlums with interest in gambling

HH 50955 DocId: 32258660 Page 3

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## Page 4

- 3 -

casinos in Cuba and operate them. Loan of $14 million

to be paid

by Sierra's group to Cleveland group.

- Memo 105-121010-3 to AG from director.

Sierra Claimed Trull made original approäch to Sierra.

Trull allegedly told Sierra

that people Trull represented

would be interested in loaning up to $30 million on bus, pro-

position. Sierra then made

arrangement for Trull to go

to Miami.

— CIA CSDB - 3/655,116

19 June 1963 re: Carlos Prio

Prio spoke with

Sierra at request of Santiago Babun

Prio met with Seeretary Gendeal of DRE, Luis Fernandez-Rocha

Rodriquez, seeking support for Eloy Gutierrez Menoyo,

whom he has been helping since Gutierrez arrived in

the

U.S.

Prio intends to form a junta which would include: Manuel

Antonio de Varona of CRC; "Pepin" Bosch

Bishop Eduardo Boza Masvidal, who represents. the industrias

and whom Prio named a treasurer; Guillermo Alonso Pujol

and Jose Manuel Cortina to direct relations with governments

of free world;

Carlos Marquez Sterling - to represent followers of Batista

Manuel Artime Buesa and Jose Fernandez-Rocha to represent

combat youths;

Enrique Jose Ruiz - Williams, to serve as liaison with repre-

sentatives of the U.s. government.

—IHM, Santiago Alvarez Rodriguez

Anti-Fidel Castro activities IS-Cuba, Miami

June 3, 1963

Alvarez, formerly MD.and Senator in Cuba, associated with

Comandos L, knew Sierra in Cuba, as Secretary to Alvarez in

political work.. Sierra worked for Cuban rayon manufacturing

company and expert in manufacture of synthetic fibers.

Called by Sierra - introduced by American at airport (pre-

sumably Trull) who explained business deal. Alvarez thought

plan a waste of time, American man contradictory, vague

about plan. Sierra honest and sincere but gullible.

— Memo to Director from SAC, Chicago 6/26/63 re Sierra

In view situation appears to be "con job" by Sierra and Trull

to unify Cuban exiles and in view doesn't appear there is any

hoodlum influence in situation, no further investigation to

be conducted by Chicago office

NW 50955 DooId: 32258660 Page 4

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— LHM from Chicago, Ju

26/63

re Paulino Sierra Martinez

Resided in Havana 1925-1960

Then went to Miami as translator and Judo instructor until

1962 when he came to Chicago.

Speaks, reads, writes

English, Italian, French, Spanish.

Previously in U.S. in 1948 in Ohio as student with Ind. Rayon

Corporation

Brother - Jose Martinez

Israel Martinez

Advised he arrived in Chicago from Spain

January

28, 1963 on U.s. passport

Resided in

• Miami in 1960

Elected to American Bar Association on 2/7/63.

Admitted to Illinois Bar 1962, sponsored by William Browder,

Union Tank

Car Co.

Sierra said Trull called him who said

he saw him in March

10th issue of CHICAGO TRIBUNE. When

Sierra asked about identify of individual represented by

Trull, Trull talked vaguely

about owner of King Ranch in

Cuba, General Wood, Mr. Jarvis - Millionaire

in Texas.

Now is concerned Trull involved with

• "impure" financial

sources. About which Sierra is concerned.

Trull story different: called by Sierra - met with him

several times in April. Began to talk about Cuban situa-

tion. Did not claim personal acquaintance but mentioned

he knew Chicago stock broker, Buddy Arvez; Gen. Wood of

Sears, Roebuck and Co., and Cleberg of King Ranch whom he

thought lost money after overthrow of Batista.

Sierra sent for, Trull to Miami and asked Trull to speak to

prio and Mujal

and group of Cubans.

Trull said Sierra told him he didn't need financial influence

of Trull inasmuch as a representative of Las Vegas gambling

interests contacted Sierra offering backing of $14 million

for 50% interest in gambling in Cuba if Sierra able to

organize successful ouster of Castro. Trull said he asked

Sierra whether that was the Cleveland group which controlled

gambling casinos in Las Vegas and that he may have mentioned

name Bo Dalitz, but he doesn't recall Sierra's response.

DOB-10/19/29, Dallas, Texas. Encyclopedia Salesma! "actor"

5'9", 185 lbs:, brown hair. Feels he was used as

by Sierra to unify Cuban group and gain position of power

for Sierra.

105-1021010-7

Memo. 5/15/63

to Belmont from Evans re Sierra

Information from CIA deleted.

HH 50955 DocId: 32258660 Page 5

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## Page 6

- 105-1021010-9

Teletype from SAC Miami

Information deleted

- as informant and indent. data

5/20/63 to Dir.": Sierra

- 105-121010-10

5/20/63 teletype to Director from SAC Chicago re Sierra

Records INS, CC show appreciation for immigrant visa and

alien registration Jan 7, 1923 granted when Sierra returned

to U.S. following 6 month business trip for Union Tank Car

Company in Spain. Brother Jose lives in P.R., Israel lives

in Tampa, Fla.

Arrested 12/5/60 by INS for violation immigration laws.

Letter to INS, copy to FBI, shows Sierra

secret

12/2/63 Miami LHO

in Cuba

- CIA TDCS-DB 3/654,695 17 May '63

Re discussion of meeting with Sierra by members of ALC,

? Marquetti andJusto del Pozo.

Pessimistic re negotiations.

Say

Sierra trying to sell same deal to Comandos I, Alpha

66 and Montearisti — the "action groups"

— CIA TDCS DB-3/655, 406

5 July 63

Main File 105-121010 Section 1 Serials 1-35

- Memo to Dir. from SAC Chicago 3/3/77

- 35

Sierra received envelope from "zero organization"

Message: "Notice: Cuba is not to be betrayed with impunity."

Considered threat • called FBI

Sierra interested re 1963 activities.

Sierra

refused to answer many questions.

Sierra

said he personally gave money to various anti-Castro

groups

to be used for training and equipment. Donations

were not documented. Would not say where he obtained funds.

He said he had misled Cuban community to believe he had

$30,000,000 at his disposal but "he had a private financial

group that could possibly have had $30,000,000 at his di-

sposal."

Visited Miami 2/18/77 and talked with Felipe Rivero, General

Cabrera, and Carlos Rodriguez Quesada.

H7 50955 DocId: 32258660 Page 6

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## Page 7

— 6 -

- Memo to SAC, Miami from Dir, B

8/27/65

-34

re Paulino Sierra

Report from Guat. Embassy, Port-au-Prince, Haiti advised

Cuban lawyer Sierra who

resides in @nat. had asked for

interview with Duvalier.

Sierra wants to establish fishing company in Haiti to be

used as screen for ops. ag. Cuba

_ LMIM, CONFID. 7-28-64

Miami Fl.

Re: Legion Baragua

IS-Cuba NM

Sierra - "was a fraud, psychotic and unreliable." Com-

pletely discredited by Cuban exiles in Miami.

~ Report 2/25/64

Miami, Robert James Dwyer

re: Sierra - IS

Manuel Locano Pino advised 1/15/64

that Sierra abandoned all efforts establish unity and

military action and returned to Chicago

INS records reflect Sierra came to U.S. 11/6/60

Claimed to be member of Cuban Army

1931-32. Clerk of

Havana District Court of Appeals, 1934-48; instructor of

personnel for Cuban Rayon Corporation 1948-53

June 1963 Gilberto Rodriguez Fernandez and others visited

William Browder and J.W. Van Gorkom , President, of

Union Tank Car Co. re: Cuban government in exile.

Stated

that if Committee established government in exile, perhaps

they could get US

government support and financing from

other sources.

=

See Notes - third

- LHM - 11/1/63 Miami re SNFE

Menoyo contacted by Diego Medina of Chicago SNIE re getting

"equipment."

Medina had been

talking to person named

"Cardoso" in Chicago, connected with Dr. Sierra." Jose

Cardoso accompanied by Sierra on trip to Detroit about

Oct. 1 where Sierra purchased $6000.00 to $7000.00 worth

of arms, which Sierra in process of bringing to Miami in

early October.

HN 50955 DocId:32258660 Page 7

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## Page 8

- 7 -

10/30/63 Information received that SNFE has plans for

operation on Oriente from base in Dominican Rep. Arrange-

ments

made by Menoyo and Abel Camacho in Key West.

Plan

ls Ior action against bridge.

Plan worked out by Veciana

and engineer who designed bridge.

- LHM 9/23/63 Re Sierra

p. 4. 9/12/63 Sierra told Miguel A. "Cuco" Leon,

colleague of Manuel Artime Buesee, during visit to Nicaragua

in late July 1963 that he represented U.S. gambling in-

terests provided Sierra's group got gambling concessions

in Cuba

See notes- Misc. Ref.

—Memo to Dir. from SAC, Miami 12/10/63

re: Americanism Educational League, L.A., Calif.

P.0. BoX 90593 Airport Station,. LA 9, Calif. 0R8-1641

Syn: Apparently has no connection to Sierra.

2/63. Meeting in Chicago with Sierra, Armando Gomez de

Molina (Brother in law of Baldomero Merito Acosta and

person who happened to meet Sierra, heard he wanted to unify

Cuban groups, and organized meeting with American league.)

of AEL

Bert B. Mold, Dr. John R. Lechner and. Acosta.

Gave Sierra advice to try to unify groups then he may be

able to get government assistance. In March Sierra gave

speech-at Royalton Hotel, Miami, claiming backing of

AEL.

Acosta challenged statement. Sierra said he didn't

need their help; he had funds from other source.

- LHM

10-30-63

Miami re AEL, LA, Calif.

Sierra interviewed 9/12/63.

When in Miami reachable through

cousin Alberto Diaz, 3396 N. 14th Avenue, Hialeah, Fl.

- LHM

Miami

11/14/63 re: INTERPEN

Lauchli said he was visited recently by Paulino Sierra

who heads JGCE and wanted purchase arms from Luachli.

- IHM Miami 2/28/64 re: JGCE

Group organization to establish political and military unity

among Cuban exiles to eventually overthrow Cuban govern-

ment.

However, individuals and groups more interested in

§ than in carrying war of liberation to Cuba.

Causing group to fail.

Aldo Vera Serafin, of American Patriotic Action Movement,

said JGCE inactive.

NH 50955 DocId: 32258660 Page 8

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## Page 9

- 8

Sierra

- CIA TDCS 3/582, 395

5/27/64

3 pages

NO-Serial

SECRET

— CIA CSDB

3/660, 112

3/17/64

2 pages

Conf.

No serial

— CIA CSDB 3/658, 375 11 Dec. 63

1 pages conf.

No serial

Re: Termination of Sierra's Cuban exile activity on behalf

of American financial interests.

Report that Sierra, accompanied by Armando Fleites, was sum-

monea to Chicago in early November by an attorney "repre-

senting financial interests which had pledged support for

liberating Cuba" and was accused of throwing away $50,000;

wasting time and effort, expounding policies inconsistent

with those of U.S.. Government.

Sierra given no opportunity

to explain.

Began wind up affairs.

Told to hand over all

monies, supplies and equipment to alliance of SNEE, MRP,

Alpha 6.

- CIA TDCS-DB 3/658-399 CONF.

11 Dec. 63

2 pg.

28

Information from Sierra - returned to Miami.

from Chicago with instructions from his patrons to coordinate

plans for war against Castro. Sierra to travel to S. America.

- FBI-LHM 11/2/63 Miami JGC&

INS application dated 1/6/63 (Arrival date)

6 month business trip to Spain

3/10/63 Chicago Tribune published photo and article describ-

ing Sierra as

• "coordinator" of exiles in favor of Cuban

liberation.

p. 16 - Rodriguez

Quesada met with Sierra @1s-? months pre-

viously (before 8/8/63) to discuss financing military action.

p. 29-30 Sierra gave money to Jony Cuesta ($1000.00) at

home of Alvarez Rodriguez in presence of Hemming. 8/9/63

Cuesta used it to buy guns from Lauchli. Sierra

also visited

Lauchli in Collinsville.

Sierra requested Steve Wilson deliver arms; 3 weeks previously

offered Joe Garrman $11,000 for raid of Oriente Province.

NH 50955 DocId: 32258660 Page 9

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## Page 10

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p. 33 Members according to Sierra:

Felie Rivero Diaz

Albert Garrido

Carlos Rodriguez Quessada

Carlos Nenez

Jose I. Rivero

Jose M. Gutierrez

p. 35 Aldo Vera Serafin said Sierra

repairs on boat.

gave him $900 for

p. 37. Gilbert Rodriguez

aka Conde "Leon" claims he brought

action groups into Sierra's organization.

Released from Cuban prison April 1963. (Imprisoned 8/61)

in prisoner exchange. Expelled from Sierra's group because

of suspicions he was G-2 agent.

p. 41. Said Felipe Rivero and Sierra traveled to NY,

Chicago, St. Louis, Washington, D.C and somewhere collected

$40,000. Committee upset about lack of leadership; Sierra

went into hiding for time.

p. 43. Said Sierra has had to buy support of action groups

such as Vera Serafin and Manuel Aguilar.

Aguilar unknown; Serafin collects money; does nothing.

— CIA TDCS DB-3/657,893 14 Nov. 63 3 pgs.

confidential

no serial

Approximate

expenditures by Sierra. $11, 390 plus personal

expenses. Made pact with Alpha 66 - SNFE-MRP Locano Pino

resigns.

- CAI CS DB-3/658,034 11/22/63 1 page

confidential

Group intends to sue U.S. agents for seizure of "pitusa 1"

as it was being transported by trailer to Key West by

Dennis Lynn Harber, 22 NW 8th Avenue, Aprt. 5, Miami

* CIA CS DB-3/657,685 11/4/63 1 page

CONF •

Report re: 2 man sub owned by Sierra.

In house of Jesus Rodriguez

- INS A 12 537, 895 (INV-CIN)

10/8/63

1 page

HH 50955 DocId: 32258660

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## Page 11

- 10-

_CIA CSDB 3/657,741 11/6/63

4 pages conf.

no serial

Tomas Cabanas Batista offered command of Sierra's military

forces

August

1963

-CIA CSDB 3/657,755

11/7/63 1 page secret

no serial

June 1963

Sierra visiting Bogota, Columbia.

Approached

Castro for support in plan for anti-Castro

activity.

CIA CSDB 3/657,599 10/31/63 1 page

- CONF.

Re: boats for Sierra's group (3) - Manuel Augnilar Alvarez

has Pitusa 1, Jose Pepe Couz has outboard; Jesus Rodriguez

has 2-man sub (Rodriguez assoc. with Serafin)

CIA CSDB 3/657,115 10/8/63 2 page

- CONF

— CIA TDCS DB 3/657,301 10/16/63

3 page CONF

23

2 man sub ordered from Calfornia arrived 10/9/63 and in ga-

rage of Manuel Aguilar's home. Also storing boat trying to

get Columbian Island off Nicaragua for base of operations.

— CAI TDCS DB 3/657, 272 15 Oct 63

3 pages CONF.

22

Irganization raid on EsSO refinery.

to use Serafin's boat as mother ship.

— State Department Cablegram

9/17/63

3 pages

Secret

CCA/M A-6

- CIA TDCS DB-3/656,607

12 Sept. 63 3 pages conf.

-17

Miguel Leon talked to Sierra in Nicaragua in late July

- CIA CSDB - 3/656,611 9/13/63

2 pages CONF.

No serial

1963

NW 50955 DocId: 32258660 Page 11

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## Page 12

- 11 -

Gilberto Rodriguez said:

Meeting 8/20/63 to discuss conduct of Sierra.

Leading to

chaos

and anarchy.

Decided to report to Sierra's backers in Chicago.

van Garlan

Rodriguez Quesada called Vanderbilt (FNU) who was not in,

Rodriguez Fernandez called Dillon Braden and explained

Sierra's activities.

milian Browder

Jose Bosch Lamargue asked by Committee replace Sierra.

Braden

to locate Sierra withdrawl of sub

- CIA TDCS DB 3/655,406 7/5/63

4 pages secret

No serial

Mid-June 1963 unidentified American representing American

Education League of L.A., Calfironia approached sierra

with offer from group firms offering unlimited financial

support.

(Baldomero "Merito" Acosta, director of American Education

League, reportedly contacting groups in June 1963 offering

unlimited finances if Cubans unite.)

Sierra and Committee to travel to Washington, NYC, Chicago

to discuss with backers. Met with officials of following

firms - United Fruit, ESS, Standard Oil, Dupont, ATST,

U.S. Stell and others.

Group given $650,000 which was deposited in Miami Bank

Sierra

and River

then departed for Nicaragua (June) to dis-

cuss with somoga plans for base.

- CIA Intel. Info Cable 5/13/64

2 pages

CONF .

105-114543-128

"Poss. that JURE will not accomplish any military action

inside Cuba by May 1964."

CIA info. report 10-28-63 1 page CONF

105-124049-not recorded

CSDB - 3/657,487

"Attempt of Jose Carogol to join Paulino Sierra's Anti-

Castro group."

— CIA Info. Report 9/27/63 1 page CONF.

"Recruitment of Eduardo Mor Ruiz for Sabotage Missions in

Cuba."

CSDB 3/656,849

105-124049

not recorded

NH 50955 DocId: 32258660 Page 12

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## Page 13

- 12 -

- CIA Info. Report 8/22/63

2 pages CONE.

"Creation of Junta del Gobierno de Cuba en el Exilio,"

CSDB - 3/656,148

105-124042 - not recorded

- CIA info. report 4/21/64 2 pages Secret

• 113-7-210 - 3B4

"Surfacing of an unidentified small sub off Cayo Largo,

Las Villas Province."

CSDB 3/660,733

→ CIA 5/9/63

105-95357-201

2 pages CONF. TDCS-DB-3/654, 562

- CIA telegram

5/22/63

TDCS-DB-3/654,742

3 pages CONF

109-584-3592

-CIA 4/30/63 3 pages CONF

109-584

Department of State 6/24/64

3 pages

CONF.

109-584

Section 65 Serial 3986

5/7/63

4 pages SECRET

TDCS-DB3/654, 530

105-95357-4-198

ca CIA Info. Report

3 pages

Secret TDCS

3/582,395

105-77731-800 p.2

CIA Intell. Info. Cable

1/9/64

2 pages Secret

TDCS 3/583,531

64-22200-no serial

Department of State Airgram

10/14/63

29 pages

Secret

CCA/M Airgram A-7

109-584-3779

- FBI 2/3/64

LHM Chicago - Anti-Fidel Castro Activitites

: 11/4/63 Jose Cardozo 2317 S. Trumbull, reported he had

affiliated himself with "Comandos Libre" and had planned to

establish pickets during Kennedy's trip to Chicago 11/2/63,

which was cancelled.

HW 50955

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## Page 14

- 13 -

CL in Chicago under direction of Jose L. Hernandez, 3309

Crystal St.

(DRE planning meeting 11/27/63 to commemorate 8 Cuban stu-

dents killed by Spanish 1871 - Principal Speaker - Frank

Bianco)

Jose Cardosa came 12/19/63 meeting of Demo. Organizations

of Chicago with several others. (Jose Hernandez among them)

to oust present pres. and place Sierra Martinez or someone

Sierra can control.

HurricaneFlora hit Cuba 10/4/63=

Sant. Alvarez Rodriguez, SI.

Fernandez, JI.

— CIA TDCS-DB-3/656,906

9/27/63 3 pages

Confidential

109-430

Section 56 Serial 2452

CIA CSDB 3/654,706 5/23/63

Conf. 105-117331 - No serial

2 pages

U.S. Customs page 3, page 8

105-117222-140

secret

TDCS DB-3

656,640 4 pages

Secret

97-4474-43

5095.5

DocId: 32258660

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