198 10005 10018

198-10005-10018 2025 RELEASE UNDER THE PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY ASSASSINATION RECORDS ACT OF 1992 JFK Assassination System Identification Form Date: 6/24/201

Agency Information AGENCY: ARMY RECORD NUMBER: 198-10005-10018 RECORD SERIES: CALIFANO PAPERS AGENCY FILE NUMBER:

Document Information ORIGINATOR: MULTIPLE FROM: TO: TITLE: DATE: 00/00/0000 PAGES: 123 SUBJECTS: ARMS SMUGGLING, CUBA LATIN AMERICA SECURITY CUBAN SPONSORED SUBVERSION DOCUMENT TYPE: PAPER, TEXTUAL DOCUMENT CLASSIFICATION: Secret RESTRICTIONS: 4 CURRENT STATUS: Redact DATE OF LAST REVIEW: 10/07/1997 OPENING CRITERIA : COMMENTS: Califano Papers, Box 6, Folder 30. Assorted documents related to Cuban material support of Communist subversives in Latin America.

v9.1 NW 50955 DocId: 32423736 12 Page 1

AND FROM CUBA ARMS SHIPMENTS TO

NW 50955 DocId: 32423736 Page 2 SECRET ARMS SUTPИT General: Arms smuggling is one of the "facts of life" in Latin America and has been engaged in by dissident elements for many years.. Reports of Castro involvement in these activities have been frequent since Aly after his seizure of power early in 1959. None of these reports er been proven. With the arrival of large quantities of Soviet Bloc arms in 1959, Cuba recovered all U.S. arms in the hands of the populace arms in the hends of the populace and made it a crime punishable by death to have possession of weapons of U.S. manufacture. The U.S. aras furnished under the MAP to forser Cuban governments with large stocks which could be shipped to subversive groups Identification of these arms with Cuba would be extremoly difficult. TAB 1 Revorte of Method of Operation This Tob contains five items: (1) Two reports alle@ging arms amiggling by fishermen and by means of food products shipped to Latin Azerica; (2) A report which indicates that a Cuben erma enche discovered in Brasil to not of Cuban origin; and (3) Tvo reports concerning a Cuban arsenal purportedly being used to supply arms for an invasion of some Caribbean country or an invasion of South America. 2 Reports of Arms Smuggling This Tab contains a number of items reporting arms smuggling to Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Venezuela, British Cuiona and Prasil. Note particularly the top item in which the British indicate the numerous reports on ams smuggling to British SECRET NW 50955 DocId: 32423736 Page 3 SECRET Qulana are without foundation and the second iten which refutes the report contained in the Life Magazine article of 8 February.

NW 50955 DocId: 32423736 Page 4 SECRET O NW 50955 DocId: 32423736 Page 5 TELEGRAM INFORMATION REPORT TELEGRAM CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY This material contains information affecting the National Defense of the United States within the meaning of the Espionage Laws, Title 18, U.S.C Secs. 793 and 794, the transmission or revelation of which in any manner to an unauthorized person is, prohibited by law. CLASSIFICATION - DISSEMINATION CONTROLS CLATAAC-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L EXPORTIN COUNTRY CUBA/LATIN AMERICA REPORT NO. TDCS DB23/653,152 SUBJECT POSSIBLE CONCEALMENT OF WEAPONS DATE DISTR. 6 FEBRUARY 1963 FOR SHIPMENT TO LATIN AMERICA

DATE OF LATE 1962 PRECEDENCE ROUTINE INFO. REFERENCES IN 62553 PLACE & UNITED STATES (4 FEBRUARY 1963) 35871 DATE ACO. APPRAISAL 6 FIELD REPORT NO. -3 8

THIS IS UNEVALUATED INFORMATION. SOURCE GRADINGS ARE DEFINITIVE. APPRAISAL OF CONTENT IS TENTATIVE. SOURCE U.S. OWNER (C) OF A MARINA, FROM A FORMER CUBAN AIR FORCE OFFICER, FROM THE BROTHER OF AN EMPLOYEE OF A CANNERY IN SAN CRISTOBAL.

  1. IN LATE 1962 A DAY-SHIFT EMPLOYEE AT A CANNERY IN SAN CRISTOBAL, PINAR DEL RIO PROVINCE, FOUND A HAND GRENADE WRAPPED IN NYLON AND BEDDED IN SHREDDED COCONUT IN A CAN WHICH HAD FELT UNUSUALLY HEAVY. (FIELD COMMENT: IT IS NOT CLEAR WHETHER THE CAN HAD GONE THROUGH THE CANNING PROCESS AND HAD BEEN SEALED.) AS A RESULT OF HIS DISCOVERY THE WORKER WAS ALMOST FIRED. ONE OF THE MILITIA GUARDS AT THE CANNERY SAID THAT AMMUNITION AND OTHER EQUIPMENT IS REGULARLY CANNED AND SHIPPED TO LATIN AMERICAN COUNTRIES. A SPECIAL NIGHT SHIFT WORKS AT THE PLANT.
  2. (FIELD COMMENT: AN UNTESTED SOURCE REPORTED IN EARLY OCTOBER 1962 THAT IN JULY 1962 A STORY WAS CIRCULATING IN SAN CLASSIFICATION - DISSEMINATION CONTROLS GROUP I C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L Excluded fram automatic downgrading and CONTROLLED DISSEM declassification STATE/INRD ARMY/ACSI NAVY AIR JCS SECDEF NSA NIC YATI USIA OCI ONE OCR ORR 081 00 FBI STATE/DIR REPCINCLANT INS EXO TELEGRAM INFORMATION REPORT TELEGRAM FORM (15-20) 5-62 1Kb OBSOLETE PREVIOUS EDITIONS.

NW 50955 DocId: 32423736 Page 6 C CLASSIFICATION DISSEMINATION CONTROLS IN 62553 C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L TDCS DB-3/653,152 35871 PAGE 2 CONTROLLED DISSEM

ANDRES, AN ISLAND POSSESSION OF COLOMBIA, THAT A PISTOL HAD BEEN FOUND EARLIER CONCEALED INSIDE A FROZEN CHICKEN WHICH HAD BEEN PART OF A SHIPMENT RECEIVED FROM CUBA.) 3. FIELD DISSEM: CINCARIB, CINCLANT.

NW 50955 DocId: 32423736 Page 7 END OF MESSAGE CLASSIFICATION - DISSEMINATION CONTROLS C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L CONTROLLED DISSEM SECRET NO FOR CISSEM An arms cache of weapons and ammunition recently discovered at the Idgas Camponesas guerrilla training center in the interior of the Brasilien state of Goias is believed by US Embassy and CAS officers to be of Brazilien rather than Cuban arms, despite a Brazilien newspaper suggestion that they were Cuben. There were also discovered about 125 copies of Communist publications including Che Guevara's well-known treatise on "Querrilla Warfare". The training center was described as organized according to that book. A confidential report on the discoveries added that "members of the center went to be the Brazilian equivalent of those who fought in the Bierre Maestra and so bring the hard Chinese- Cuban type revolution to Brazil." Some 90 to 95 persons in the locality are reported members of or sympathetic to the Ligas Camponesas activities, but only 2 of the 24 for whom warrents were issued have yet been taken into custody. (Am Emb, Rio de Janeiro 1122, 10 December, CONFIDENTIAL, and CIA, Brasilia, IN 33026, 11 December, SECRET NOFORN)

NW 50955 DocId: 32423736 Page 8 SECRET NO FOREIGN DISSEM INFORMATION! ORT CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY Export Rev. The material contains information affecting the National Defense of the United States within the meaning of the Espionage Lava Tie 18, U.8.0. Secs. 793 and 794, the transmission or revelation of which in any manner to an unauthorized person is prohibited by law. S-E-C-R-E-T NO FOREIGN DISSEM Wit Proce COUNTRY Cuba/USSR/Latin America REPORT NO. CS-3/530,898 SUBJECT 1. Use of Soviet Fishing Boats DATE DISTR. 11 December 1962 to Transport Arms to Latin America NO. PAGES 1 2. Belgian Arms Dealer in Habana REFERENCES RD-W-2107 Paras. 1 & 2: October 1962; RD-ACQ-01258 DATE OF Para. 3: August 1962 INFO... Paras. 1, 2: France, Paris; PLACE & Para. 3: Spain, Madrid 38957 DATE ACQ. Paras. 1, 2: 23 November 1962; FIELD REPORT NO. Para. 3: 12 October 1962 BOURCE: 1. Paras. 1 & 2: An official French service; Para. 3: CC-1197, 2. THIS IS UNEVALUATED INFORMATION. SOURCE GRADINGS ARE DEFINITIVE. APPRAISAL OF CONTENT IS TENTATIVE. Cuban refugee (F), a former employee of the Cuban diplomatic service, who visited Santiago de Cuba in August 1962, Appraisal of Content: 3.

  1. Soviet fishing boats, under cover of fishing Atlantic waters, are transporting contraband arms to Latin American countries. The boats are met outside the territorial waters of those countries, and arms are transferred in small quantities. On board the Soviet boats are only Soviets and a very few Cubans or other Latin Americans who talk with those who pick up the arms. The arms being delivered are of American manufacture, including those obtained during the Batista regime and those taken during the Playa Giron invasion. The Soviet fishing boats also carry propaganda and pamphlets containing, military instructions, the same type of material being sent by diplomatic pouch from Mexico.

  2. A Belgian in Habana who says he represents a Belgian firm, has offered the Cuban Government any type and nationality of arms for payment in dollars. The Belgian has made a similar offer of sale of arms to a representative of an anti-Castro group in Habana.

  3. In August 1962 a fisherman in Santiago de Cuba said that on several occasions he had been forced by the Government to use his boat for transporting small groups of men, in civilian clothes, and supplies of arms. He also knew of other fishermen who had been forced to do the same. The men and arms were carried to small islands or transferred to other boats at sea. Such trips sometimes lasted as long as four or five days. The fisherman did not know the purpose or final destination of the men and arms.

STATE X ARMY X NAVY S-E-C-R-E-T GROUP I NO FOREIGN DISSEM Excluded from automatic downgrading and declassification X AIR XINSA X OCR X DIA X FBI 2 COAST GUARD X XANA X REPCINCLANT CINCARIB # (Notes Washington distribution indicated by "X", Field distribution by "#") NFORMATION DIVORT ARAMA DNWORT NW 50955 DocId: 32423736 Page 9 COUNTRY: CUBA SECRET SECRET NO FOREIGN DISSEM CIA INFORMATION REPORT Eyplant & Rev CS-3/532,138 26 December 1962 SUBJECT: IDENTIFICATION OF CUBAN VESSELS ALLEGEDLY PREPARED TO INVADE A CARIBBEAN COUNTRY DATE OF INFO: 28 NOVEMBER 1962 SOURCE: TRAVELING SALESMAN (F) APPRAISAL OF CONTENT: 3 HEADQUARTERS COMMENT: ACCORDING TO TDCS-3/530,589, DATED 6 DECEMBER 1962, AS OF MID-NOVEMBER TWO CUBAN SHIPS LOADED WITH PERSONNEL AND EQUIPMENT WERE SAMY SAID TO BE PREPARED FOR AN INVASION OF HAITI. SOURCE SAID HE WOULD PROVIDE THE NAMES OF THE SHIPS AND THEIR DEPARTURE DATE. THE FRUCUBA AND THE FUNDADOR, CUBAN-FLAG VESSELS, WERE DOCKED AT THE ARSENAL DOCKS IN CASABLANCA (HABANA) IN LATE NOVEMBER. THESE KEKS VESSELS WERE SCHEDULED : TO PARTICIPATE IN AN INVASION OF SOME CARIBBEAN COUNTRY. SECRET NO FOREIGN DISSEM NW 50955 DocId: 32423736 Page 10 SECRET CUBA ARMS SHIPMENTS CONFIDENTIAL CONFIDENTIAL Eyport Stockpile of War Hateriel for Latin 19 Jamary 1962 America (C) 1 of 1 Barly Janmory 1962 Nane Habana, c/a 7 January 62 DIJ LUJ 316/36-6-62 DUJ BUJ-43-62 1. Source reports an arsenal or stockpiling of war materiel at Casablanca, a Wabma District, northeast shore of Hebana Bay, Mebana Province. 2. Source has heard this materiel is targeted for an invasion of South America. CONFID'EN TIAL OPNS BRANCH CONFIDENTIAL DOWNGRADED AT 12 YEARS NTAVUS NOT AUTO MATICALLY DECLASSIFIED DOD DIR 5200.10

NW 50955 DocId: 32423736 Page 11 Venezuela Uncovers Communist Arms Cacne- The Venezuelan Government in a raid on a small village near Caracas on 5 January -- uncovered a large cache of arms and equipment which it claims belonged to the pro-Castro Armed Forces of National Liberation, reputed to be emerging as a para- military arm of the Venezuelan Communist Party. Several tons of explosives and large quantities of hand bombs, arms, and ammunition were seized as well as a nearby clandestine Communist radio transmitter. (SECRET NO FOREIGN DISSEM) SOURCE: TDCS 533,071 (S/NFD); FBIS (OUO); PRESS

10 Jan 63 DIA Intelligence Bulletin (REVERSE BLANK) SECRET-NO FOREIGN DISSEM NW 50955 DocId: 32423736 Page 12 Page 9 2 NW 50955 DocId: 32423736 Page 13 ARMS SHIPMENTS 12 Feb 63 "All the information available to Her Majesty's Government and to the British authorities in British Guiana indicates that there is no truth whatever in the continuing reports that arms are being shipped to the colony from Cuba. Similar stories have appeared from time to time in the past, but upon examination all have been found to be without foundation." (British Embassy in US to Reuters, AP and UPI),

NW 50955 DocId: 32423736 Page 14 N 12 February 1961 Sighter: shipe put out from Mariel (Cuba) only last week with holds loaded with weapons sent by Castro to British Guiana." A debrief report of a Cuban national who arrived at Port Everglades on 25 January (90) Comitted time following statement: I was told by an assistant only trapactor for the fort of Havana that on 14 January 1963 two launches caprained by a man with what appeared to be an Italien accent had departed from the Le Coubre wharf (Marana). Anifest on ship indicated the dentination was However, the ship inspector had been told by the Launches were loaded with ar

TD/00-K-3249316 DTG 2818052 3. The following information may refer to this arme shipment. Aen tested CLA course, a member of the Communist Party of Colombia in Call, has stated hat daring a conversation on 5 January 196) betwe Amado de Jeans Zapata, member of the Department of Valia Regional Committee of the Communist Party of Colombia (PCC), and P.1, Plata, & Cuban deep-cover agent working with the seventh of January Worker- Student - Peasant Movement (MOEC), in Colombia and Vonszuela, Plata said that the MOLC ta not a ceal movement but rather a part of Latin American concept which is twing assisted by Castro and the Cuban Govern meat, to saidho has been in Call for one year on a ajocial assignment from the top leadara in Cuba to nes that artos, propaganda, and instruc tions from Vanesuela, originating in Cuba, get into the hands of the MOEC groups at for MOCC in due to arrive from (Greats, capital of the Departe In on the Venesuelan bordar and en two countries.j Ref RD-0-2107 CLA Report 0

SECRE 5. Another report may a100 zlos to thio asmo shipment, According to information dated | February 1969 from a CIA searce and appraicod by the CLA preparing dlico as possiblo true, Pedro MATOS, who together with the throomsumber ragional command committee of tho Partido Comunieta de Vonarsela (PCV) in the stato of Zulia is responsible for PCV arme mattero in thai state, said recently that the party is awaiting a chipment of arms from Cuba and Praemi bat that the cast date of arrival is still minowa. CIA Report TDCS-3/936,941, ad 9 Feb 63 Aof IN 64876

  1. Replies to DIA SICR's ca thie cubject from NSA and CNO do not Indicate any vessels departing Havana on or after 14 Jasmary beand for British Cuians, nor do Kate Department queries to Georgetowi, British Guiana indicate the arrival of any arme.. No reperts havo been received from service attaches in Venesuela er frem curces in Panama concorning this particular mater.

Project Officer! CDR Barton

SECRE

TELEGRAM INFORMATION REPORT TELEGRAM CORIOLINTIME CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY This material contains information affecting the National Defense of the United States within the meaning of the Espionage Laws, The 18, U.S.C Socs. 3 and 794, the transmission or revelation of which in any manner to an unauthorized CONFIDENTIAL (When Filled Ing COUNTRY NICARAGUA authorized person is prohibited by low. CLASSIFICATION - DISSEMINATION CONTROLS NO FOREIGN DISSEM

NICARAGUA HONDURAS/COSTA RICA / CUBA SUBJECT PLANS TO LAND ARMS FROM. CUBA IN HONDURAS DATE OF 9 JANUARY 1963 INFO. REPORT NO. TDCS, -3/534,035 DATE DISTR. 16 JANUARY 1963 A PRECEDENCE ROUTINE REFERENCES IN50511 FIELD REPORT NO. NM-729 PLACE & NICARAGUA, MANAGUA (15 JANUARY 1963) DATE ACO. APPRAISAL 3

SOURCE THIS IS UNEVALUATED INFORMATION. SOURCE GRADINGS ARE DEFINITIVE. APPRAISAL OF CONTENT IS TENTATIVE. A NICARAGUAN JOURNALIST (C) FROM A NICARAGUAN OFFIC ANISAN JOSE FROM CESAR AUGOSTO VILLAREAL CABEZAS ACTION COPY OPERATIONS AREA

  1. ON 9 JANUARY 1963 CESAR AUGUSTO VILLAREAL CABEZAS, A NICARAGUAN REVOLUT I ONARY LIVING IN SAN JOSE, SAID THAT HE WAS AWAITING INSTRUC TIONS TO GO TO PUERTO CORTES, HONDURAS TO RECEIVE A SHIPMENT OF ARMS WHICH WILL COME FROM CUBA ON THE "CORK_C", A MERCHANT VESSEL OF UNKNOWN REGISTRY. HE SAID THAT THE INSTRUCTIONS TO GO TO PUERTO CORTES WILL COME FROM CUBA THROUGH DR. EMILIO ORTEGA TAΡΙΑ.

  2. THE "CORK_C" WILL UNLOAD THE ARMS AT CAYO COCHINO WHERE THEY WILL BE RECEIVED BY GRIFFIN (FNU), WHO LIVES IN PUERTO CORTES. GRIFFIN WILL DELIVER, THE ARMS TO VILLAREAL AT PUERTO CORTES.

  3. THE ARMS WILL BE TAKEN FROM PUERTO CORTES TO PUEBLO NUEVO, CONFIDENTIAL CLASSIFICATION DISSEMINATION CONTROLS NO FOREIGN DISSEM こ GROUP I Excluded from automathe downgrading and declassification STATE/INR DIA AF/MY/ACSI NAVY AIR JCS SECDEF NSA NIC AID USIA OCI ONE OCR ORR 081 00 TELEGRAM INFORMATION REPORT TELEGRAM DA IN 8112

FORM 1Kg OBSOLETE PREVIOUS EDITIONS. CONFIDENTIAL 0000 NW 50955 DocId:32423736 Page 17 CONFIDENTIAL CONFIDENTIAL (When Filled In) CLASSIFICATION DISSEMINATION CONTROLS NO FOREIGN DISSEM TDCS-3/534,035 IN 50511 PAGE 2 NICARAGUA BY VILLAREAL, JULIO VELASQUEZ VELEZ, AND 'DR. HERNAN SILVA ARGUELLO WHERE, THEY WILL BE TURNED OVER TO DR. EMILIO FLORES OBREGON,

  1. (SOURCE COMMENT: THE DATE OF ARRIVAL OF THE "CORK C" IS UN_ KNOWN. CARLOS FONSECA AMADOR, NICARAGUAN COMMUNIST GUERRILLA LEADER IN HONDURAS, HAS RECEIVED ARMS FROM CUBA BY THE SAME SYSTEM.) FIELD DISSEM: STATE ARMY CINCARIB CINCLANT. ACTION ACSI, NAVY, AF, JCS, OSD INFO DCSOP DA IN 8112

CONFIDENTIAL END OF MESSAGE CLASSIFICATION - DISSEMINATION CONTROLS NO FOREIGN DISSEM

CONFIDENTIAL NW 50955 DocId: 32423736 Page 18 0000 TELEGRAM INFORMATION REPORT TELEGRAM CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY This material contains information criecting the Natione Datense of the United States within the meaning of the Espionage Laws, Title is us. Secs. 793 and 794, the transmission or revelation of which-in any hanner to an unauthorized person is prohibited by law. MI SECRET CLASSIFICATION - DISSEMINATION CONTROLS (When Filled In) 1963 FEB 9 11 41

NTRY VENEZUELA REPORT NO. TDCS-3/536,942 DIAAP-3 JECT PCO BLE SHIPMENT OF ARMS FROM CUBA AND DATE DISTR. 9 FEBRUARY 1963 PANAMA TO WESTERN VENEZUELA PRECEDENCE ROUTINE

OF 1 FEBRUARY 1963 REFERENCES IN 64876 10 VENT JELA, MARACAIBO (1 FEBRUARY 1963) CE & DATE ACO. PPRAISAL 2 FIELD REPORT NO. HVC-2651 DURCE THIS IS UNEVALUATED INFORMATION. SOURCE GRADINGS ARE DEFINITIVE. APPRAISAL OF CONTENT IS TENTATIVE. A MEMBER (C) OF THE COMMUNIST PARTY OF VENEZUELA IN MARACAIBO. D

  1. PEDRO MATOS, WHO TOGETHER WITH THREE MEMBER REGIONAL COMMAND COMMITTEE OF THE PARTIDO COMUNISTA DE VENEZUELA (PCV, COMMUNIST PARTY OF VENEZUELA) IN THE STATE OF ZULIA IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PCV ARMS MATTERS IN THAT STATE, SAID RECENTLY THAT THE PARTY IS AWAITING A SHIPMENT OF ARMS FROM CUBA AND PANAMA BUT THAT THE EXACT DATE OF ARRIVAL IS STILL UNKNOWN SOURCE COMMENT: ALTHOUGH THE LOCATIONS OF ARMS ARE KNOWN ONLY ΤΟ ΜΑTOS AND THE REGIONAL COMMAND COMMITTEE, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE REA AROUND LA CONCEPCION AND LA PAZ, TOWNS APPROXIMATELY SOUTHWEST DND WEST, RESPECTIVELY, OF MARACAIBO CITY IN THE DISTRICT OF MARACA I BO, SITES). (FIELD COMMENT: ACCORDING TO SOURCE, THE REGIONAL ARE SECRET GROUP CLASSIFICATION - DISSEMINATION CONTROLS Excluded fram automatic downgrading and declassification STATE/INR DIA ARMY/ACSI NAVY AIR JCS SECDEF NSA NIC AID USIA OCI ONE OCR ORR 081 00 TELEGRAM INFORMATION REPORT TELEGRAM AAP-3 FORM OBSOLETE PREVIOUS EDITIONS. NW 50955 DocId: 32423736 Page 19 (15-20) CLASSIFICATION DISSEMINATION CONTROLS SECRET IN 64876 : An Filled In) TDCS-3/536,942 PAGE 2

OMMITTEE OF THE PCV IN THE STATE OF ZULIA HAD BEEN DISSOLVED AS OF EARLY K 3'63 AND A THREE MEMBER REGIONAL COMMAND COMMITTEE ESTABLISHED). 2. FIELD DISSEM: STATE ARMY NAVY AIR CINCLANT CINCARIB. N 20 C SECRET CLASSIFICATION END OF MESSAGE DISSEMINATION CONTROLS AAP-3 CONFIDENTIAL DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE STAFF MESSAGE DIVISION.. INCOMING MESSAGE RETRANSMITTED TO: SAC, TAC, CONAD, AFSC, MATS AF IN: 50955 (24 Feb 62) K/eld... (per req Mr Kerp-CIN- 25Feb62) ACTION: CIN-17 (18) : A/D: ARMY-2, NAVY-2, CMC-7, JCS-45, OSD-15 RC 41/24 FEB 62 OSD/SDLU-1, STATE-15, CIA-11, NSA-7 RO/RO/RO XPD-3, ISI-2, IDS-2 (112) (Risd by PRIORITY. Mr Kerp-CIN-25Feb62) 231841Z FM USAIRA MEXICO CITY TO CSAF WASH DC 1127 USAF FAG FT BELVOIR VA//PROTECTED// INFO CIARC ALBROOK AFB CZ USAIRAS GUATEMALA BRAZIL VENEZUELA BT CONFIDENTIAL XX CITE CHARLIE DASH NINE SGD HARRIS: PARA MILITARY REP OF EURHPEAN WESTERN NATION ACCREDITED MEXICO REPORTED TWO TWO FEB HAVING RECD INFO FROM TWO DIFFERENT SOURCES THAT CUBAN SHIPLOAD OF ARMS HAD DEPARTED EITHER SANTIAGO DE CUBA OR BAHIA DE NIPE TWO XERO DEGREE FOUR FIVE MINUTES NORTH SEVEN FIVE DEGREES FOUR XERO MINUTES WEST DURING WEEK OF ONE ONE TO ONE SEVEN FEB PD SHIP REPORTEDLY HEADED FOR BRITISH GUIANA OR NORTHEAST BRAZIL PD LOCAL EMB INTEL AGENCIES UNABLE CONFIRM PARA SCP DASH THREE BT AUTOMATICALLY CLASSIFIED DOD DEM 5200:10

ACTION: AF, (ARMY ACSI) INFO DCSOP ORD DA IN 205836

AFHQ M 0-309a CONFIDENTIAL NOV 30 PREVIOUS EDITIONS OF THIS FORM MAY DE USED SECRET The British consul in Santiago de Cuba has informed Washington and the Governor of British Guiana that two alleged US citizens, John Allrem Johnson, aged 53, and his wife Margaret Frances Johnson, were leaving Cuba on 31 December on the Cuban vessel BAHIA DE TANAMA destined for Georgetown, British Guiana. On board with them were 17 cases in their name, including two large wood crates understood to be "very similar to those recently unloaded from a Soviet Union ship in Sentiago de Cuba." The British consul notes the unlikelihood of US citizens' lesving Cuba in this manner, and the resulting doubt as to their real identities and intentions. (British Foreign Office to Washington, No. 9759, 31 December, 1962 (SECRET)) NW 50955 DocId: 32423736 Page 22 SECRET

INFORMATION LEPORT INFORMATION REPORT CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY This material contains information affecting the National. Defense of the United States within the meaning of the Espionage, Laws,: Title 18, U.S.C. Secs. 793 and 794, the transmission or revelation of which in any manner to an unauthorized person is prohibited by law. C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L COUNTRY Cuba/British Guiana REPORT NO. 00-K-3,210,102 SUBJECT Shipment of Weapons to British Guiana DATE DISTR. 21 Feb 62

NO. PAGES One DATE OF Dec 1962 REFERENCES INFO. CD/00 Case 36159 H2/05676/G5 PLACE & --; Dec 1962 Case 35662 78/IWW/DOM-81/CX DATE ACQ. SOURCE: THIS IS UNEVALUATED INFORMATION Cuban national, A 12 884 576, who arrived in the US on 3 Feb 1962. Source is an electrical engineer and advisor to underground groups in Cuba. [This report was developed by an Army representative assigned to the office of preparation.]

I was advised by a Cuban merchant marine officer that the Cuban freighter, "Bahia de Nipe" left Cuba for British Guiana on 22 Dec 1961 with a cargo shipment of weapons. The boxes containing this equipment were stored in the bottom of the ship's hold and covered with mattresses and canvas. A cargo of sugar bags was placed on top of the weapons. -end-

NW 50955 DocId: 32423736 Page 23 OUTCOING TELEGRAMY Department of State

INDICATE, COLLECT CHARGE TO 02147 FEB 6 10 16 AM "63 LIMITED OFFICIAL USE UNCLASSIFIED MESSAGE REFERRING TO THIS MESSAGE BY CITE NUMBER WILL BE DESIGNATED EFTO 36 Origia ACTION: Anambassy GEORGETOWN 286 EUR Info: SS G The Feb 8 edition of LIFE contains story on Cuba with following SAL caption under photo of Russian freighter: ARA P USIA QUOTE SCA NSC INR But refugees aboard the Shirley Lykes said two ships put out from CIA Mariel (Cuba) only last week with holds loaded with weapons sent by NSA OSD Castro to British Guiana. UNQUOTE ARMY Would appreciate any available comment. NAVY END AIR RMR 1963

ACTION: STATE (ARMY ACSI) INFO DCSOP, OSA, JCS DA IN 827722 Drafted bys Telegraphie transmission and RUSK EUR:BNA RTeppericje 2/5/63 classification approved by Clearancesa FORM DS-322 LIMITED OFFICIAL. USR REPRODUCTION FROM THIS COPY IS PROHIBITED UNLESS FUNCLASSIFIED". NW 50955 DocId: 32423736 Page 24 000 INCOMING TELEGRAM Department of State 54 Action CONFIDENTIAL Control: 4682 EUR 8 1013 Rec'd: February 7, 1963 1953 12:57 PM 13 Info /SS G FROM: Georgetown P SAL TO: Secretary of State ARA P NO: 245, February 7, NOON USIA Reference: Department's 286 February 6. SCA NSC Neither harbor master nor shipping companies have any INR knowledge Cuban ships en route Georgetown. Guiana Import- CIA Export agents for sales rice Cuba, states it is always NSA notified as soon as rice ships leave Cuba so that necessary OSD arrangements at RMB wharf can be made. It denies having ARMY received any notice recently. Governor also reports NAVY AIR negative results his inquiries. MR CONGEN has had numerous inquiries AP story mentioned TOUSI 18. Appreciate any clarification (not for release to press) Department can give. TEK/18 MELBY CONFIDENTIAL REPRODUCTION FROM THIS COPY IS PROHIBITED UNLESS "UNCLASSIFIED" NW 50955 DocId: 32423736 Page 25 C FBIS 84 OFFICIAL USE ONLY PARIS AFP IN ENGLISH TO THE FAR EAST 1905 7 FEB 63 E (EXCERPT) GEORGETOWN--BRITISH GUIANA IN A STATE OF NEAR PANIC TODAY AFTER NEWSPAPERS AND RADIO STATIONS PUT OUT A WASHINGTON NEWSPAPER REPORT THAT CUBA WAS SENDING TWO SHIPS FULL OF SOVIET ARMS TO THIS COUNTRY. PREMIER CHEDDI JAGAN CALLED THE REPORT FROM THE WASHINGTON EVENING STAR FANTASTIC AND UNFOUNDED. LA SPOKESMAN IN THE HOME AFFAIRS MINISTRY SAID THE GOVERNMENT EXPECTED NO ARMS FROM THE SOVIET UNION OR CUBA. 7 FEB 749P FG/OP

OUTGOING TELEGRAM Department of State INDICATE: COLLECT Origia GE TO CONFIDENTIAL 04289 CUDA FEB 9 11 17 AM '63 59 ACTION: AmConGen GEORGETOWN 293

EUR Info: SS UrTel 245 SR intelligence G Washington testdio agencies have no information to confirm SP alleged munitions shipments from Cuba to Georgetown. SAL ARA E Story originated with caption current edition Life Magazine to STR effect two Russian ships carrying munitions from Mariel, Cuba to BG. P USIA O'Leary of Washington Evening Star apparently seized on Life story SCA as basis Evening Star article. Unlikely any responsible US official INR CIA confirm story as O'Leary alleged in article. NSA If repeat if Department is asked by press, we plan say we have OSD ARMY no information but are making inquiries. AVY AIR END RMR Drafted by: Telegraphic transmission and RUSK EUR: ENA:RJTepper:ldd 2/8/63 classification approved by: Clearances: EUR/BNA - M.