Cryptonym: AMCANOE-3
1993.08.11.14:08:32:620006: CUBAN COUNTERREVOLUTIONARY HANDBOOK
April 1962-May 1963 and Paulino Sierra: On 4/7/62 Antonio Jose Ramirez Mendez aka engineer Tony Ramallo was chosen to represent JRCM abroad. The goal was to set up a provisional government for Cuba. The JRCM claimed to have security to prevent penetrations and that it had successfully penetrated Castro's government. However, the report states the G-2 infiltrated the group in Cuba and rendered it generally ineffective. During June 1962, Ramirez and others illegally entered the US, in order to work with Miro Cardona and the CRC. Planned several violent raids in Cuba that did not come off. Ramirez met Paulino Sierra at a meeting at the Royalton Hotel in Cuba during May 1963.
104-10308-10027 CABLE: SUBDATA: ANSWIRL-1, WHO ON OFFICIAL BUSINESS 9 MAY IN MIAMI
5/22/63 from JMWAVE to Director re Paulino Sierra: It appears that AMSWIRL-1 (Customs Agent/CIA source) Diosdado was a source on Ramirez's meeting. At meeting, former Justice Garceran said that Ruiz Williams (close friend of RFK) had recently met with him. Ruiz Williams was trying to form a nucleus for an invasion force. Ramirez said he had recently met with Paulino Sierra at the Royalton Hotel in Miami. Sierra said he had $30 million obtainable from "industrialists and lawyers if action groups were able to unite."
Re 1963 and Paulino Sierra: Carlos Rodriguez Quesada was the general leader of the Cuban underground. He defected in March 1961, and was expelled from the CRC in March 62 for staging a hunger strike in Bayfront Park in Miami when JFK came to town, resulting in a melee and 152 arrests. Quesada continued his work as Miami director of the 30th of November movement, using the cover name of "Hermano Atilaco". https://www.maryferrell.org/showDoc.html?docId=118049#relPageId=6&tab=page In 1963, Quesada and his followers joined Paulino Sierra's JGCE, with Quesada serving as the minister of internal affairs.
198-10005-10104: LANDINGS IN CUBA
Re June 1963: Report from REDACTED, "a boat captain...(the report was) developed by an Air Force representative": During June 1963, Juan Armestoy Dominguez (AMCANOE-9) (watched by AMAPOLA) and Antonio J. Ramirez Mendez were infiltrated into Cuba and then extracted two weeks later. Described as members of a determined and disciplined action group. Page 5 shows that the report was received by Dorothy Matlack of OACSI and the Caribbean Admissions Center/JMFIG - and from there to Major General Alva Fitch, ACofS for Intelligence: http://www.maryferrell.org/showDoc.html?docId=112456#relPageId=6&tab=page
104-10527-10192: CABLE: MISC. OPS INFO, ISLE OF PINES FISHERMAN
11/20/63 MEXI-6986: AMSUPER-1 spoke with Julia passengers and obtained fragmentary information...Paragraph 6 refers to "Tony" as an ex-aviation comandante with indented scar on forehead. Author states that "Cayo Aguardientes is good spot since no reefs for ten mile stretch and uninterrupted line of navigation from shore to open sea." "Julio Herrera Valladeres, captain of La Julia, lobster fishing point from Isle of Pines...Juan Herrera (uncle of Julio)...Juan was leader of MONA (Movimento Organizido Naval Anticomunista)...received instructions from "Tony" (w/physical description) and Marcelino Rodriguez. MONA operated on signal 'Tamakun'...(Juan has new code which he will deliver to chiefs of his movement)...he says vigilance in this zone merely routine with periodic searches of shore line to catch persons trying escape...Ismael was imprisoned several times, worked clandestinely with Enrigue Lenz Laguna and Emilio Rodriguez. Both now in US. No one contacted knows Enrique Salas Martinez. Station hopes above jumble of info will proved useful (to) WAVE."
Re 11/21/63, 104-10077-10329, p. 3: AMCANOE-2 learned that call from "Virginia" on 11/21 (DIR 84284) was really from Emma Cowley. "This (is) good evidence (of) contact between Emma and Gerardo (Cowley) with whom AMCANOE-3 was staying with at that time, according (to) AMGLEN-9". Believed AMCANOE-3 remained at liberty until at least December 5.
104-10075-10177: JMWAVE CABLE RE CUBAN NAVAL PATROLS
11/22/63 cable from JMWAVE to Director, with a copy going to John Tilton that evening: AMRIPE-2 contacted AMRIPE-1 on 11/22 in midst of AMCANOE-3 exfiltration and "advised their son (AMCANOE-3?) should not take any of courses suggested". Several concerns that the mission was in danger. AMRIPE-2 told AMRIPE-1 that "he mailed her letter" on 11/21/63 - "WAVE interprets this to mean that AMRIPE-2 sent (shortwave) to WAVE, explaining change in plans, via NIEXIT pouch" to arrive in Mexico on 11/22.
104-10077-10095: DIRECTOR CABLE RE JUAN HERRERA VALLADERES LOCATION
11/22/63 cable from SAS/EDE Carl Trettin to JMWAVE: Referring to recent MEXI-6986, he says that "Tony of para six undoubtedly AMCANOE-3", and that "Juan Herrera Valladeres" wants to be debriefed about AMCANOE-3.
104-10077-10116: DIRECTOR CABLE RE OPERATIONAL CONTACTS
11/23/63 cable DIR 84911 from SAS/MOB to WAVE, ref WAVE 8062, slugline RYBAT TYPIC CANOE: "AMCANOE-2 advised that he received call at home from AMCANOE-3 in Havana at 2210 hrs 22 November...if all cipher material was captured and if A-3 comments correctly interpreted as meaning he able received OWVL (one way voice link) message in system originally issued AMCANOE-7 must assume A-3 obtained pads from (Cuban) authorities who controlling his actions." Also see 104-10075-10300, 11/30/63 cable: "Re (MEXI 6986), on 27 Nov WAVE contacted Oscar Garcia Vasquez and brother Ismael. Oscar member MONA resistance group (re MEXI 6986) and claims only knows Juan Herrera Valladares who recruited him for MONA group...neither subject knows anyone answering AMCANOE-3 description or aliases. Oscar was asked to participate in COBRA XIII op of 22 October by Juan Herrera Valladares...Oscar expects Julio and Juan Herrera to arrive in WAVE area soon...Request WAVE not to reveal to AMCANOE contacts arrival of (Herreras) until WAVE has chance (to) debrief and sort out AMBANTY activities."
104-10076-10043: CABLE RE AGENT MESSAGE CONCERNING ARREST.
12/04/63: Cable from JMWAVE to Director: Slugline RYBAT TYPIC AMGLEN-9 COMMO FATBID: 12/4/63 cable WAVE 8512 from WAVE to Director, slugline RYBAT TYPIC AMGLEN-9 COMMO FATRID: "1. FOLL will be sent...Well placed source just reported Tony suspected for immediate arrest. We believe may already have been arrested or doubled. Rather than wait any longer CMA you must insist that Emilio and family go into hiding immediately for possible exfil Cardenas (NOTE: probably AMGLEN-1) one five December. Emilio possibly already under surveillance. Will resettle him here with ample financial aid. If this message sent too late and something already happened to Emilio or refuses must insist that you Helen and Jose go into immediate hiding for exfil via Cardenas leaving Emilio. Regardless your personal desires CKA your arrest will implicate Jose Helen Cuquito and many others also CEA if you arrested as spy Fidel will disregard any request for clemency for Mente but if you simply disappear you not implicate anyone. Arrested or dead none of you good to anyone. Dislike taking hardnosed view but from here this is way things look. Maggie will call Jose six December. If Emilio agrees exfil Jose should mention Maria's health is good. If not agree her health is sad. If you Helen and Jose plan exfil Jose should tell Maggie send photos of Mariel Carmen. If you go into hiding take pads and receiver for last minute instructions. Urge you get package three three to Cuquito soon. Gorda. End agent message. For Director only: Tony is AMCANOE-3, Emilio Carbo, Helen is AMRIPE-4, Jose is AMRIPE-2, Cuquito is AMTURVY-1, Mente is AMSIGH-2, and Maggie is AMRIPE-2."
1993.08.04.16:50:14:750028: JMWAVE CABLES, WAVE 9000 - 9096.
12/15/63 cable WAVE 9094: "168. Must again emphasize need Emilio (Carbo) and wife not returning home CMA staying off Havana streets and safehoused. Received pouch today. Manifest checks. Your SW 17. Keep us posted developments surrounding Tony. His situation changed now and exfil Emilio and wife via Cardenas paramount importance now for security of net and to allow continued functioning. All recognition signals and contact arrangements keyed to Carbos only and any deviation their parts could jeopardize exfile CMA patriotic Cuban crews directly involved plus safety your network members. Therefore fully expect you as disciplined resident agent will follow orders as have in past. Regardless any personal feelings or family loyalties CMA Emilio should not try bring Tony along. Our ops plans call for two persons only. After exfil Emilio completed CMA planning utilizing other channels solve problem of Tony. Good professional approach in working with Cuquito (NOTE: AMTURVY-1/Arturo Varona). Keep us posted on Mente (NOTE: Clemente Inclan Werner/AMSIGH-2). Jose. Roger on visa. Advise departure date. Gorda." End agent msg.
104-10308-10029: MEMO FOR: AMCANOE
January 1964: This memo on Cuban resistance project AMCANOE lists Antonio Jose Ramirez Mendez as AMCANOE-3. It also notes his capture and execution in January 1964.