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Cryptonym: AMHINT-23

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Definition:
AMHINT-23 was Jose Raffo Barrera.
Status:
Documented
Discussion:
A cable from JMWAVE on April 4, 1961, stated "please assign cryptos series 176 Frank Bernardino Babot (2512), Jose Raffo Barrera (2509) and Victor Espinosa Hernandez (2771). Subjects being issued docs, trained (shortwave) and briefed WAVE on infil of Igor assist in DRE uprising Las Villas."

A cable from BELL on the same day stated that "SUBJ refs assigned AMHINT-22 thru 24 respectively." They were to be infiltrated for Operation IGOR. Therefore, AMHINT-23 was Jose Raffo Barrera. AMHINT-24 was Victor Espinosa Hernandez.

A cable on April 11, 1961, stated that the DRE leaders to be infiltrated into Cuba were Frank Bernardino Babot, Jose Raffo Barrera, Victor Espinosa Hernandez, and Carlos Duquesne Wylryez (AMHINT-8). Raffo, Bernardino and Espinosa were each described as a "raider", while Duquesne was described as a JMWAVE trained general sabotage operations member. The cable requested approval to run Operation JORGE II.

A dispatch in August of 1962 stated "by the advent of the April 17 (note: 1961) abortive assault, the DRE had infiltrated AMHINT-1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21. Ironically, AMHINT-22, 23 and 24 were to infiltrate on the evening of 16 April and their boat Captain suddenly fell victim to a lack of intestinal fortitude."
Sources:

104-10240-10268: CABLE: THE FOLLOWING INDIVIDUALS, ALL TRANSFERS FROM JMMOVE LOCATION NO

04/02/61: Cable from JMWAVE to BELL: JMZIP: REF BELL 3463 (OUT 8936): "The following individuals, all transfers from JMMOVE (the Belle Chasse Louisiana ammunition dump) location No. 8 have indicated desire engage in raider ops with Miguel Orozco leader of group. They could operate as one unit or as small teams. Realizing some of these individuals slated infiltration missions currently pending it is recommended that 1 thru 11 remain raider groups with balance available infiltration mission if need arises. However if no raider ops possible foreseeable future all could engage infiltration missions. In discussions with group they reluctant join either AMBIDDY-1 (Manuel Artime Buesa) or AMNORM (Higino Diaz, aka Nino Diaz). Feel group, because of training, motivation, physical condition, could have success in operational suggestions forwarded in JMMOVE cable of 29 March. (WAVE not on distribution): 1. Miguel Orozco. 2. Reynaldo Garcia. 3. Conrado Caballero. 4. Ramon Orozco. 5. Felix Sosa. 6. Luis Bermudez. 7. Orlando Garcia Duarte. 8. Diego Milanes. 9. Rafael Usatores. 10. Carlos Lopez Ona. 11. Carlos Tores. 12. Carlos Hernandez. 13. Jose Raffo. 14. Luis Sierra. 15. Miguel Chardiet. CS Comment: Re disposition AMHAZE (a post-Bay of Pigs CIA operational group consisting of exiles initially recruited for the 2506 Brigade) agents upon completion ship and island training."

104-10263-10065: CABLE: PLS ASSIGN CRYPTOS SERIES NUMBER 176 FRANK BERNARDINO

4/4/61 cable from JMWAVE to BELL, slugline JMZIP PSYCH IGOR: CITE WAVE 5209: "Please assign cryptos series 176 Frank Bernardino Babot (2512), Jose Raffo Barrera (2509) and Victor Espinosa Hernandez (2771). Subjects being issued docs, trained (shortwave) and briefed WAVE on infil of Igor assist in DRE uprising Las Villas."

104-10169-10249: CABLE REF WAVE 5209 ASSIGNED AMMINT 22 THRU 24.

04/04/61: Cable from BELL to JMWAVE (Orig: J. Piccolo, WH/4/OPS SUPPORT): Slugline JMZIP/PSYCH/IGOR: CITE BELL 3841: REF: WAVE 5209 (IN 1586): "SUBJ refs assigned AMHINT-22 thru 24 respectively. WH Comment: Ref requested cryptos on subjects who to be infiltrated for operation Igor." Releasing Officer: R. Drain for J. Esterline, C/WH/4. Coordinating Officers: WH/4/PROP: (Signature). WH/4/PM: R. B. Moore. Authenticating Officer: (Signature) for J. S. Douglas, WH/4/SECU.

104-10263-10064: CABLE: REQUEST APPROVAL RUN OP JORGE II PER FORMAT

04/11/61: Cable from JMWAVE to BELL: Slugline JMZIP PSYCH JORGE II: "Request approval run Op Jorge II per format WAVE 2174: A. DRE. B. Askatuta, 45-foot air-sea rescue type. C. Beach landing-DRE reception. D. 121900Z Islamorada...H. Infiltrate DRE leaders: Frank Bernardino Babot (raider) (201-281263), Jose Raffo Barrera (raider) (201-281271), Victor Espinosa Hernandez (raider) (AMHINT-24 - 201-285147), Carlos Duquesne Wylryez (WAVE trained general SAP ops) (201-283951). No cargo. I. Ship-shore radio telephone."

104-10171-10334: DISPATCH: OPERATIONAL/AMSPELL PROGRESS REPORT - JULY 1962

08/14/62: Dispatch from COS, JMWAVE to Chief, Task Force W: Page 2 of Attachment A: BACKGROUND AND STATUS OF INTERNAL AND EXILE ELEMENTS: ..."6. By the advent of the April 17 abortive assault, the DRE had infiltrated AMHINT-1 (Alberto Muller Quintana), 2 (Juan Manuel Salvat Roque), 3 (Miguel A. Garcia Armengol), 4 (Antonio Garcia Crew), 5 (Isidro 'Chilo' Borja), 6, 9, 12 (Jose Antonio Gonzalez-Lanuza Mena), 13 (Ernesto Fernandez Traviesa - or Travieso), 14 (Julio Hernandez Suarez), 16, 17, 18 (probably George Nobregas aka Jorge Nobregas), 19 (probably Raul Villaverde), 20 and 21. Ironically, AMHINT-22, 23 and 24 (Victor Espinosa Hernandez) were to infiltrate on the evening of 16 April and their boat Captain suddenly fell victim to a lack of intestinal fortitude..."

Contributors:
Gavin McDonald • Bill Simpich

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