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Cryptonym: AMTABBY

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Definition:
A major paramilitary operation consisting of numerous sabotage operations against on-island targets. At least some of these operations were reviewed and approved by the Special Group (Augmented).
Status:
Documented
Discussion:
At least some of these operations were reviewed and approved by the Special Group (Augmented).
Sources:

104-10308-10171: AMTABBY OPERATION

A major paramilitary operation consisting of numerous sabotage operations against on-island targets in Cuba. At least some of these operations were reviewed and approved by the Special Group (Augmented). "Part of the AMTABBY net was wrapped up by Castro in 11/2/62, at which time AMTABBY-15 and AMTABBY-23 were captured. Castro claimed that AMTABBY-15 was the CIA's principal agent in Cuba." For minor sabotage operations, no OK from JFK was necessary. For MONGOOSE-size major operations, presidential approval was required. "Part of the AMTABBY net was wrapped up by Castro on (handwritten: 11/2/62), at which time AMTABBY-15 and AMTABBY-23 were captured. Castro claimed that AMTABBY-15 was the CIA's principal agent in Cuba...While the Cubans were unaware of the name MONGOOSE, they did refer to the operation AMTABBY-15 was involved in as Operation CUPID (handwritten note: How did AMTABBY-15 know this?) The Cubans were also aware of Robert Wall and were led to believe that he was a close friend of Robert Kennedy. (Typed note: Is this true? -- Handwritten note: No.) AMTABBY-15 also told the Cubans and was told (by whom?) that all sabotage plans were to be on a small scale and were not to compromise President Kennedy (a note on this memo says 'What can we say?') AMTABBY-15 went on to say that all large operations i.e. MONGOOSE/CUPID needed the approval of President Kennedy. (A note here states "how he knew this is unknown????"

104-10221-10054: CABLE: REQUEST RENEW POA'S ON FOLLOWING FOR USE

10/28/62, Cable from JMWAVE to Director: Slugline GYROSE AMTABBY: "Request renew POA's on following for use in AMTABBY : 201-297428, 201-290835, 201-284805, 201-291915, 201-294544, 201-290433. WAVE traces negative."

UPI, November 1962 "Castro Claims CIA Tried to Blow Up Mines": https://www.cia.gov/library/readingroom/docs/CIA-RDP75-00149R000600110001-6.pdf

"A government statement said secret police captured Miguel Angel Orozco Crespo, described as 'the CIA's main leader in Cuba', Nov. 2 in Pinar del Rio. He was described as a former Cuban Army career officer...also captured with Mr. Orozco was a man identified as Pedro Vera Ortiz...the plot to blow up the formerly US-owned Matahambre copper mines in Pinar del Rio was foiled when workers spotted explosives in two towers supporting a cable railway...the group (also) planned to blow up the former-US government-owned Nicaro nickel mines in Oriente province...the government statement said the CIA had a special Cuba group in Miami headed by a "Robert Wall" identified only as a close friend of Attorney General Robert Kennedy...

11/13/62, New York Times: "Cuba Reports Plotters' Arrest; Charges U.S. Trained Saboteurs: https://www.cia.gov/library/readingroom/docs/CIA-RDP75-00149R000800010016-9.pdf

"Security officials said today that they had captured the leader of a band of heavily armed, United States-trained saboteurs who landed in Cuba the weekend before President Kennedy ordered the naval blockade of Cuba. DELETED big copper mines of Matahambre were smashed, the official report said. It added that the invaders had succeeded in planting demolition charges, but they were discovered before they went off. (DELETED - the name "Miguel Angel Orozco Crespo,) who was reported to have served as an Army lieutenant during the regime of Fulgencio Batista, the ousted dictator, was identified as the leader of the band. He was described as a 'principal chief of the Central Intelligence Agency. (Note: Orozco was AMTABBY-15). Mr. Orozco and a companion, Pedro Vera Ortiz, were seized Nov. 2 at a farm in a hilly region near Vinales...they landed Oct. 19 and 20...(carrying) a half ton of weapons, explosives, radio transmitters and food for two weeks...Havana newspapers said Mr. Orozco Crespo named 40 members of his organization and made these declarations: The CIA is preparing a force of Cuban exiles for an (illegible) invasion of Nicaragua...to provide an excuse for an invasion of Cuba by accusing Premier Castro's regime of aggression...20 'operators' are collecting data for the US inside Cuba with the aid of 'small information nets'...his organization has headquarters in Miami (deleted) a 'green house', south of Miami on Highway 1 near the 'Monkey Jungle', a tourist attraction. He said that a man named Bob Wall was coordinating the Miami actions; before making sorties into Cuba, agents are taken into Summerland Key, where they are isolated until sailing time..."

104-10073-10074: DISPATCH: AMCUTLER-1 PROGRESS REPORT FOR NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER 1962

01/09/63, Dispatch from COS, JMWAVE to Chief, Task Force W: Page 3: ..."JMWAVE file checks showed that the two men were indeed of interest to CIA, and that AMTABBY Underwater Demolition Team was possibly involved. Appropriate defensive measures were immediately taken."

104-10221-10045: DISPATCH: TERMINATION OF AMTABBY PERSONNEL

05/07/63, Dispatch from COS, JMWAVE to Chief, Special Affairs Staff: "1. The following indivduals were on a standby basis with the AMTABBY Group and have been terminated effective 1 May 1963. Jose Miguel Carvajal Gonzalez: 201-291915. Armando Caballero Parodi: 201-284805. Antonio Soto Vasquez: 201-294544. Alberto Perez Martinez: 201-282574. 2. Caballero, Soto and Perez have been granted POAs per Refs B, C and D respectively. A POA was requested for Carvajal per Ref A. It is requested that their POAs be cancelled."

104-10076-10291: JMWAVE CABLE: AMTABBY AND CACHE TEAM

12/11/63, Cable from JMWAVE to Director: Slugline RYBAT TYPIC YOBITE CHALICE V: REF UFGA 12388: "A. AMTABBY: B. Cache Team: AMTABBY-7, AMJOKE-4, AMTABBY-43, AMJOKE-2, AMTABBY-54, AMSCRUB-1, AMTYKE-2, AMTYKE-4, AMTABBY-61, AMJILT-1, AMEAT-1."

104-10506-10040: DISPATCH: PROGRESS REPORT FOR JANUARY 1964

02/12/64, Dispatch from COS, JMWAVE to Chief, Special Affairs Staff: Page 3: ...."3. Intelligence Reported: None. Subject wrote four S/W messages that contained operational information. Subject furnished biographic data on individuals with whom he has come in contact. Subject is primarily used in support of AMLILAC/AMTABBY/AMANCHOR Operations."

Contributors:
Carmine Savastano • Bill Simpich

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