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Cryptonym: AMSKIRLS-1

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Definition:
Andres Zayas, aka "Justo", a UR leader inside Cuba.
Status:
Documented
Sources:

1993.08.05.10:41:34:710005: HSCA MATERIAL REVIEWED AT HEADQUARTERS -- CUBAN COUNTERREVOLUTIONARY H

UR was founded in December 1960 by 27 organizations - its organizers were former MRR members...it became "one of the seven major resistance movements in Cuba"...(in early 1961) the following representatives were appointed to function in the US, for the purpose of coordinating internal and external UR activity: Hector Febles Barreto/AMGLAD-4 - supply; Luis Vega Moreno/AMGLAD-3 - finance; Aurelio Fernandez Diaz - propaganda; Aurelio Fernandez Hechavarria/AMDENIM-1 - transportation...by mid-March 1961 UR as an effective opposition movement in Cuba had grown considerably...at this time a security breach occurred at a meeting of leading members of the UR and MRR, resulting in arrest and imprisonment of national coordinators Rafael Diaz Hanscomb and Rogelio Gonzalez Corzo/AMRUNG-1 of UR and MRR (and many others)...Rodriguez Espada, an active and highly respected resistance leader, went into hiding...forced to seek asylum at the Italian Embassy, then the Argentine Embassy and safeconducted to the US in March 1962. Andres Zayas, civil coordinator, succeeded Diaz Hanscomb. The UR National Executive in Cuba on 17 April 1961 consisted of the following": General Coordinator & Civil Coordinator Andres Zayas - Territorial Coordinator - Luis Sanchez Ruiz de Villa (PICCOLINO) - Military Coordinator - Captain Eduardo Sotolongo Medina - Action and Sabotage Coordinator - Octavio Barroso (CESAR) - Intelligence Coordinator - Arturo Villar (JAVIER) - Communications Coordinator - Eduardo Betancourt (HILARIO) - Coordinator of Finances - Celestino Borron (BEBO) - Propaganda Coordinator - Wilfredo Brito Cartaya (BEBO) - Commander of Security - Jose Rodriguez Espada (RICARDO), in absentia Jose Rodriguez (PEPE) - Coordinator for Liaison - Fernando Fernandez-Cavada Paris (FRANK)/AMBLEAK-1..."First of the UR leaders to arrive the US was Fernandez-Cavada in mid-1961. In September 1961 he was joined by Brito, Sanchez, Zayas and others for discussions and planning on the future of the UR."

104-10226-10150: ANDRES ZAYAS AKA "JUSTO" EX-INFILTRATION

8/18/61 cable from WAVE to Director: "Andres Zayas aka 'Justo', Unidad Revolucionaria (UR) leader (in Cuba), wrote AMGLAD-4 via diplomatic channel and has requested clandestine boat ex-infiltration to discuss UR activities there. Despite unfavorable comment re Justo from source ref (UFGW 511), WAVE plans develop necessary op info and try exfiltrate. Would appear Justo not in asylum as suggested (by) source ref. Zayas born Habana 1929 and owner hardware business..."

104-10226-10032: CONTACT REPORT BETWEEN "JUSTO" AND MR. HICKS

10/3/61 meeting between Cal Hicks, Jim Pekich and Justo (Andres Zayas) and Luis Sanchez ("Piccolino"), Tony Nunez ("Tony"), Angel Ros ("Guilin"), Wilfredo Brito ("Bebo", using name E. I. Harrison), Fernando Cavada (using name Frank Dutton) "They indicated a willingness to cooperate with the MRR, that is, 'Omar' and "Monty'...the relations with the other groups would be much the same as advocated by AMCOAX-1, consequently, it is felt that this is a chance to facilitate AMCOAX-1's effort at producing a united resistance."

104-10226-10141: REQUEST POAS ON FOLLOWING TWO SUBJECTS: LUIS SANCHEZ RUIZ DE VILLA AND ANDRES ZAYAS Y HERNANDEZ

11/3/61 cable from JMWAVE to Director: Guy Vitale's name is written on this document, as well as a notation to "card and file". The memo asks for POAs on Zayas and Luis Sanchez ("Piccolino"), two UR leaders intending to return to Cuba. "WAVE intends to conduct its entire operations through them. Request crypts." See the Jan 1962 follow-up memo at 104-10226-10133.

104-10226-10411: EVALUATION OF UR ASSET

6/12/62 cable from JMWAVE to Director: "Relations with (AMDENIM-1) over past three months have steadily developed towards unilateral control despite old loyalty and financial problems. These have involved persuading him to sideline his boat Tejana at considerable personal financial loss to free him for better uses; the El Real matter involving further personal financial loss; breaking him away from (Andres Zayas written in marginalia)/AMSKIRLS-1 and 2 (on) basis they failed fulfill promise return (to Cuba) to reorganize UR; and WAVE slowness in settling with AMGLAD-1's widow."

104-10172-10143: PERSONAL RECORD QUESTIONNAIRE PART 11 - OPERATIONAL INFORMATION

10/10/62 Personal Record Questionnaire (PRQ II) for AMDENIM-1: "Other individuals who are aware of subject's association with (CIA) include AMSONIC-9, AMBLEAK-1, AMSKIRLS-1 and 2. These individuals are not aware of his specific intelligence activities."

124-10214-10262: [ RESTRICTED ]

12/11/67 comint report from NSA to REDACTED, stamped "SECRET LARUM": List of names with brief descriptions of their activity, including Antonio Zayas Corrientes: "The embassy was informed that his father had died and he should try to take the TU flight to Havana...All information in this report was derived from Cuban diplomatic communications."

Contributors:
Bill Simpich

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