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Cryptonym: AMOT-57

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Definition:
Manuel del Valle Caral, who was captured at the end of December, 1962, with Cameron Perez in Cuba.
Status:
Documented
Discussion:
A cable on September 5, 1961, identified Manuel del Valle Caral as AMOT-57. He was born on September 19, 1940, Havana, and a POA was granted on March 2, 1961. His 201 number was 201-292178.

There is a slight difference in the 201 number assigned to Manuel del Valle Caral in CIA documents in 1961 and 1979. The document in 1979 gave Manuel del Valle Caral's 201 number as 201-291278. However, it is likely that one was a mistake as they are both similar.

A FBI memo on September 26, 1961, stated that "on September 25, 1961, Mrs. Jane Roman, CIA, furnished the identities of the following individuals who are still being used on various operational assignments by CIA: Rodolfo M. Fernandez Criedo, Wilfredo Lamotte Guevara, Manuel del Valle Caral, Julio Jane Arhudia (AMOT-53)."

According to a FBI document in December, 1960, Rodolfo Manuel Fernandez-Criedo y Garcia was the half brother of Consuelo Meso Garcia, and both were apparently working for the FRD at that time (although a FBI informant on page 11 stated that they were not members of the FRD). Meso had also been working for Joaquin de la Caridad Sanjenis Perdomo (AMOT-2) in Cuba: https://www.maryferrell.org/showDoc.html?docId=121265#relPageId=6

A FBI memo on September 29, 1961, from Director to CIA Director, on Pedro Sergio Cuellar Alonso, stated "that on September 21, 1961, your office in Miami, Florida, advised our Miami Office that it had received information that the subject had arrived in New Orleans, Louisiana, from Cuba some time subsequent to September 14, 1961." Given that Manuel del Valle Caral and Julio Jane Argudia appear to have been in New Orleans during this period, it is possible that they spotted Cuellar Alonso for the CIA in Miami.

A FBI memo in October of 1961 warned the CIA that Julio Jane Argudia and Manuel del Valle Caral were running afoul of the impersonation statutes while attempting to recruit Cuban students in New Orleans
Sources:

104-10074-10380: CABLE RE WAVE PLANS

9/5/61: Cable from JMWAVE to Director: JMZIP KUCAGE: cable identifies Manuel del Valle Canal as AMOT-57. "1. WAVE plans start across board training AMHINT infils by 8 September as following: ...B. Manuel del Valle Caral. DPOB: Havana, 19 September 1940. Father: Manuel. Mother: Florentina. 201-292178. POA granted 2 March 1961 (AMOT-57)..." Training with AMOT-53 (Julio Jane Argudia), AMHINT-26 (John Koch Gene), AMHINT-27 (Manuel Baro Esteva), AMFAST-13 (Vicente Vasquez Dominguez...AMHINT-28 (Angel A. Fontanills y Miguel)...Luis Cowan Fernandez...AMHINT-21, request POAs subjects A thru G and assignment AMHINT crypto upon completion training...(as matters progress) AMHINTs will require materiel support consisting agit/prop materials, small amounts demo and time devices, portable presses, commo equip, docs and funding..."

124-90139-10110: No Title

09/26/61: Memo from S. J. Papich to R. O. L'Allier: Subject: The Cuban Situation: "Reference is made to previous memoranda concerning Cuban exiles whom Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) had trained for internal security duties prior to the abortive invasion of Cuba. CIA has been furnishing us the identities of such exiles who are or are not of operational interest to the Agency. On September 25, 1961, Mrs. Jane Roman, CIA, furnished the identities of the following individuals who are still being used on various operational assignments by CIA: Rodolfo M. Fernandez Criedo, Wilfredo Lamotte Guevara, Manuel del Valle Caral, Julio Jane Arhudia. ACTION: The above information is being directed to the attention of the Nationalities Intelligence Section."

124-90137-10370: No Title

09/29/61: FBI memo from Director to CIA Director: Subject: Pedro Sergio Cuellar Alonso: Internal Security - Cuba: ..."It is to be noted that on September 21, 1961, your office in Miami, Florida, advised our Miami Office that it had received information that the subject had arrived in New Orleans, Louisiana, from Cuba some time subsequent to September 14, 1961..."

124-90139-10121: No Title

10/16/61: FBI memo from S. J. Papich to R. O. L'Allier: Subject: Anti-Fidel Castro Activities: Internal Security - Cuba: "On September 25, 1961, Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) furnished the identities of Cuban exiles who were being used by that Agency on various operations directed against the present Cuban Government. Included on this list were the names of Manuel del Valle Caral and Julio Jane Argudia (note: AMOT-53). We have since received information from our New Orleans Office indicating that these two individuals have been attempting to recruit Cuban students in the New Orleans area. This recruitment allegedly is related to operations being planned against the Castro government. Caral and Argudia allegedly have made statements to the effect that they have the backing of the U.S. Government. On October 13, 1961, the Liaison Agent informed Robert Whedbee and Mrs. Jane Roman, CIA, concerning the activities of these two Cubans and pointed out that they easily could get involved in a technical violation of the impersonation statues. Whedbee stated that the two Cubans definitely were not authorized to make such representations and he was immediately taking steps to make certain there would not be any reoccurrence of such activity. ACTION: The above information is being directed to the attention of the Nationalities Intelligence Section and the General Investigative Division."

Fabian Escalante, pp. 145-146

William Harvey met with several of these agents during the early days of 1962, to personally instruct them in the tasks they were to carry out. These included Manuel Guillot Castellanos (AMBRONC-5), Julio Hernandez Rojo (AMOT-99), Esteban Marquez Novo (probably AMBANTY-1, head of what was called AMCOBRA in 1962, Felix Rodriguez (present for Che's death), Eugenio Martinez (the Watergate burglar), Clemente Inclan Werner, Luis Hernandez Rocha (AMHINT-53), Miguel and Ramon Orozco, Alberto del Busto, Pedro Cameron and Manuel del Valle...Guillot, Marquez Novo, Fernandez Rocha, Cameron and Del Valle would be infiltrated into Cuba to organize the counterrevolution, while the rest would take charge of marine supply. Of all of them, the greatest hope was placed in Guillot Castellanos." (pp. 145-146)

(2004) Fabian Escalante, The Secret War (p. 137)

..."On November 14 (1962), agents Cameron Perez and Manuel del Valle Caral left Florida aboard the Rex, under the command of Captain Alejandro Bru, and landed at El Aserradero. Shortly thereafter, on December 28, the spies were arrested in a joint operation by Cuban State Security and the Rebel Army; their weapons were confiscated, and the subversive plans of the CIA were once again frustrated. (6)" Report from the DSE, 1962.

104-10217-10312: MEMO: NOTIFICATION OF CONTACT WITH CUBAN EX-POLITICAL PRISONERS IN THE U.S

06/13/79: Memo from Deputy Director for Operations to FBI: Page 3: Attachment to CIR 316/0223Z-79: "Alberto Del BUSTO Hernandez (201-313128). Armando Del BUSTO Hernandez (201-731350). Dr. Andres CAO Mendiguren (201-872690). Enrique CASUSO Perez (201-278749). Manuel Del VALLE Caral (201-291278)..."

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Contributors:
Gavin McDonald

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