BACKGROUND REPORT/BIO DATA/ROLANDO CUBELA SECADES
Originator: CIA
Document date: 01/01/0000
Document type: PAPER - TEXTUAL DOCUMENT

## Page 1

4-000/00-

104-10215-10056

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

SUBJECT. Rolando CUBELA Secades

BOT 29 Jan 1933: Cuba:

(ANILASH- 1)

201-252234

BACKGROUND:

Former medical students

(OUT CABLE SEPT 615)

Nith 26th July, forces in Escambraye

tianapicked by Raul CASTRO to head Havana University.

Student Union;

Led government intervention, control

of Havana University

destruction of university autonomys

Patrolled university in radio equipped jeep arned with

sub-machine gun;

Organized Communist hard core

•goon squads to beat up

-opposition:

Opportunist with Connunist sympathies;

Travelled to Red China 1959;

Contacted pro-Communist Students on Moutevideo trip June 60

Actoredy homosexual.

15.

Aug 61 Maj Cubela, Pres: of FEU, left Cuba for USSR

and other Soviet bloc countries; also, India, Japan, Italy

Spain and France.

Nov 61

observer.

attended beeting of CRU, Costa Rica as

8 Jan 62 FBI report. Cubela probably changed mind about defec

ing and coning to U.S. because he afraid he would be

incarcerated in an immigration detention camp.

10 cUne 62 - Cubela travelled to Helsinki via Prague to

attend World Youth Festival. Cubela got word to cos. vla

rerugee (mother of Lucia ECHEVARRIA Bianchi) that he

wanted to defect and enter U.S.that on way back fron trip

he planned call friend TEPEDINO in N.Y. and request assist-

ance for entry to U.S.

Agency planned have AMCONCERT-i

contact TEPEDINO and offer financial assistance for Cubela

entry to U.S.

19: June 65 cable

states CUBELA known to have rejected

proposal to detect in Narch 1961.

20 July 2962 CS report - in Spring 62 Fidel sent Cibela

interior to criticize local militix for their activittes

in order to win public favor.Cubela stayed at hone of

Eusebio HERNANDEZ, an employee of the Dept of Sanitation

in Camajuani. His son had been classmate of Cubelal and

was counterrevolutionary. Father told Cubela this, but

Cubela didn't seem concerned.

2 Aug: 61 UFGA 2049

Cubela was arrested attempting flee

Cuba, States attempted departure of Cubela was an alleged

trap with Cubela witting, which resulted in arrest of

several anti-Castro individuals.

POA granted 2 August 1962 for recruitment in place as

possible defector.

.. Aug 1902 in Helsink Cubela told fainuris rand

TEREDING action mus arcone fron within. "Had scheme for

demolition sabotage and assassination her figures includi

Fidel. Had peopte (millary) to do job wouldn t reveal

names. Concerned Soviets exploiting. cuba for own ends in

Latin America, rand growing consola dat Ion Castro positton

thru education of youthland nassive, prop"ef fort on people.

euron support necded, for successy but also felt if there

aggressive anch-regine action threatening cuba position,

U. Son

would yield to extreme Soviet pressure to maintain

Cuba status quo.

---

## Page 2

14-00000

....

(continued)

• No discussions yet any financial aid or other commitments.

Following Helsinki festival, planned return Cuba and enroll

in officer refresher course

to renew army contacts and

would attempt re-establish some military and govt circle

contacts.

Earl Williamson was to handle and assess Cubela, inParis

mId-August ¿yol.

Runors had been rife since June that

he to defect this trip.

Repeated that previous soft sell

attempt to defect him by Mexico City C/O failed Mar 61.

Jim MIcTighe believed widespread rumor (in view Cubela

background)

may have been planted for provocation purposes.

Wanted Williamson to poly him. Cubela planned to spend

7 days in France and 5 days in Prague prior to return to

Havana, 28 Aug 62.

17 Aug 62 Paris:

Cubela appeared sincere ard honest in

expressed desire return to Cuba and remain in place and

cooperate.

Neither asked for nor was offered

any financiall

or other considerations.

Agreed to intell collection assignment. Was to be given

training and Spain drop address.

Talked at length about elimination of Cuban regime leaders;

said he could and would carry out mission.

AGAIN repeated

he would need basic instruction in plastic explosives

about which he knew nothing.

Williamson raised question of poly and Cubela reaction

such

that to have pursued matter further would have

destroyed rapport and ended op association.

C/o said he had no intention give Cubela physical

elimination mission, and that he not be given plastics

to take back to Cuba.

Clear that his value was as FI

source and "not as torch man".

Emphasized he not to

embark on sab missions without direct CIA approval.

N.B. Cubela was levied reqmt. purpose of recent influx Sovid

Bloc techs in Cuba;

now many; where assigned; task;

how many more expected?

Cubela was given explosive instruction with field

demonstration on 20 Aug 62.

Gophers.

---