Cryptonym: AMBANG
What emerges right after the Bay of Pigs is the concern by WH that Goodwin will take over their function. See the final entry from Joseph B. Smith below, and this final post: On 6/21/61, WH/4/PA-PROP Martha Tharpe wrote to JMWAVE: "WH Comment. WAVE has no objection providing requested funds, but question arises where control and support MRP rest in view Ray's contact with Goodwin. Requested advice."
Goodwin given credit for important role in Alpha 66 and in airplane attacks on Cuba: http://www.maryferrell.org/showDoc.html?docId=103395&relPageId=103&search=Cuba_Cuban%20AND%20missiles
On October 26, 1963, Ray and Ernesto Betancourt (former MRP member now leader of ELC) discussed the recent merger of their two groups, caused by the devastation that resulted from Hurricane Flora earlier that autumn. Due to the chaos, they had "a need to be in Cuba within 90 days". 104-10269-10099. By 10/30/63 JFK told JURE that they could no longer conduct raids from US shores. 104-10179-10244.
In Nov. 1963 JURE is described as "autonomous ops": 1994.03.17.10:45:20:220005 - Reel 15, Folder L - RAY, MANUEL - p. 84.
By Jan 1964 JURE was prepared to kill a mole rather than let him provide their secrets to the CIA. Cisneros was convinced it was Alberto Enrique. http://www.maryferrell.org/showDoc.html?docId=75985&search=%22Alberto_Enrique%22#relPageId=2&tab=page
124-10220-10332, p. 8: David Phillips describes JURE in Mexico as "just another of the Cuban paper exile organizations" that engages in little or no pertinent activity.
1994.05.10.14:32:42:100007: Reel 27, Folder P - MRP, PART II
1959-60 brief history of the MRP: "The most important factor of the political potential of the MRP is probably the former Civic Resistance Movement (MRC), which, under (Manuel) Ray's leadership, was the largest and most effective single organization supporting the 26 of July Movement during the last two years of the revolution."
1993.08.05.10:41:34:710005: HSCA MATERIAL REVIEWED AT HEADQUARTERS -- CUBAN COUNTERREVOLUTIONARY H
The MRP, with many former Castro figures, was known as Fidelismo without Fidel. Organized throughout Cuba by May 1960, with Manuel Ray as its national coordinator. In 11/60, Ray and other leaders left for the USA. Ray became MRP leader in exile, with Cisneros/AMBANG-4 as MRP leader within Cuba. In March 1961, Ray, allegedly without permission from MRP inside Cuba, joined the CRC. Cisneros was sent to Miami to see why supplies not sent to Cuba; Cisneros replaced by Reynol Gonzalez/AMCALL-1. In July, 1961, Ignacio Mendoza/AMBANG-2 was sent to Miami to replace Ray. This led to the split that created JURE. In August-September 1961, MRP conducted a sabotage campaign focusing on Havana City. In October 1961, Veciana's Liborio plan designed to kill Castro ended in failure. Gonzalez was arrested and the MRP never recovered. Also see 179-20001-10128, p. 9 of 33: "Regarding Reynol Gonzalez/AMCALL-1, it is noted that Ignacio Mendoza, General Coordinator of the MRP in the United States advised on November 20, 1961 (that Gonzalez was arrested in October)...the persons mentioned (on TV) by Gonzalez had already been arrested or had fled from Cuba...the arrests...of many of the MRP leaders had left the organization in very serious condition and without leadership...(p. 26 of 33) (A representative of the UR in Miami), Hector Febles said that some groups were completely wiped out by the anti-underground measures of the Castro regime in April, 1961, while those that survived were severely disorganized...the MRP has suffered an almost complete loss of leadership and is not a serious factor in the Cuban underground."
10/17/60, Contact Report by Wallace Parlett: "The Cubans said that the AMBANG group was not ready to join AMRASP (FRD Executive Committee); the personal and political differences are too great. Most important, however, the AMBANG group's analysis of the mood and desires of the Cuban population shows that the country's future lies in the implementation of the goals of true revolutionists (AMBANG circle) and not with goals long outdated and offering no challenge or appeal to the Cubans. The AMBANG group is, of course, willing to cooperate with AMRASP and will not attack it. Since they are progressing nicely inside, AMBANG wants to establish a counterpart outside. Miro Cardona, Pepin Bosch, Quevedo, AMCHIRP-1 and AMWAIL-2 were mentioned as the most prominent members. They would like and very much need U.S./Parlett support...PARLETT will assist AMBANG if he is convinced that anti-American and Fidelismo without Fidel charges are not true...(AMBANG) will remain silent on this...The AMBANG organization is highly disciplined...(we remain) somewhat skeptical, like the proverbial burned child; we are primarily concerned with the solution of the problem "after Fidel - what?" and thus are not quite as advanced with our interpretation of the various currents within Cuba as the AMBANG group appears to be." See - 1994.05.10.14:07:53:250007 - 10/19/60, Bernard Reichhardt met with Bohemia Libre publishers Miguel Quevedo and Francisco 'Bebo' Saralegui, where they explained to him the importance of Manuel Ray, Raul Chibas and professional soldier Ramon Barquin.
104-10274-10148: DISPATCH: OPERATIONAL/JMATE DEBRIEFING OF FATHER BASTARRICA
July 1961 debriefing of Father Julian Bastarrica of the MRP, one of its co-founders. He was now the internal MRP leader (as stated in 104-10193-10024). He discusses the groups that came together to form the MRP in 1960: The 20 May group, led by Manuel Ray/AMBANG-1; Accion Democratica, led by Amalio Fiallo, prominent Catholic leader; Accion Verde Olivo, led by Rufo Lopez Fresquet; 30 November Movement, led by David Salvador, which started to join but never really joined the MRP; Raul Chibas' group with Jorge Beruff and Felipe Pazos; Valdez Pino, who was in asylum in the embassy of Peru and in Accion Democratica. On this page, he discusses the MRP's role in the bombs at the El Encanto and similar violent activity, saying they did not do these "alone". The final page has a reference to "Reynol"/AMCALL-1, indicating his name has been redacted throughout, as well as the name of a priest that Reynol Gonzalez worked with. Also see 104-10217-10247, p. 3: Ignacio Mendoza de la Torre (201-308722) left Cuba for Miami and became the Coordinator General in Exile of the MRP in July 1961. He demoted his predecessor, Armando Lora. On 11/7/61, Hal Hendrix of the Miami News wrote about the arrests in Cuba of more than 30 MRP members, including Reinol Gonzalez (AMCALL-1), Orlando Castro, national head of sabotage and action, second in command Bernardo Parabela, Juan Manuel Izquierdo Diaz, provincial head of sabotage and action, Hector Rene Lopez Fernandez, coordinator of professionals; and Antonio Martinez, in charge of labor organizations. Three women arrested were Dalia Jorge Diaz, Sara del Toro, and Maria de Los Angeles Abach, the secretary to Reinol Gonzalez.
July 1962: Ray announced the formation of JURE, after a weekend discussing the plans in New York with Raul Chibas, Dagoberto Ponce, Jose Pena, and others.
HSCA Report, Volume X Current Section: VIII. Junta Revolucionaria Cubana (JURE)
"Ray's group was considered an "autonomous" anti-Castro group by the CIA. The concept of autonomous operations was conceived by Walter Rostow, State Department counsel. Rostow proposed a "track two" approach to Cuban operations to parallel regular CIA-controlled Cuban teams."
104-10261-10124: Cover Sheet and Report on MRP and other Anti-Castro Groups
8/13/62 Memo from Clarence Smeryage (probably Tom Clines) and Henry Sloman (Tony Sforza). Contains plan and flowchart to unify MRP, MRR, MDC, DRE, and 30th of November.
After Ray's departure, MRP became a subsidiary of Veciana's Alpha 66. In April 1963, MRP signed a unity agreement with Alpha 66 and the Second National Front of Escambray (SNFE).
104-10275-10176: Memo: Meeting with Ambang-1
8/2/63: Memo for Record by Alfonso Rodriguez: states that JURE has large chapters in Caracas, Cenezuela and Dallas, Texas. Previous page discusses interest in a San Juan-Caracas-Miami radio link. Also see 104-10275-10041: "Harvey Summ, State Rep Miami, advised (Ted Shackley) PM 21 Oct that Cisneros visited Summ AM 21 Oct. During visit Cisneros said he wanted permission (to) mount infil op which would leave 22 Oct...(Summ warned him) if caught Customs would confiscate his boat, arms, etc." Summ told Shackley he did not want to be the broker. "(Shackley) stated WAVE had no direct contact Cisneros but would see if word could be gotten Cisneros by some devious channel..." See 104-10275-10011: In 11/63, WAVE 7637 "Gomez advised AMTAUP-2 not enter (JURE) organization bases because they infiltrated by (the) following (CIA) agents to learn organization's movements: Alberto Enrique Juncebella, Ivan (Vidal) Santiago, (FNU) Salabarria. According (to) Gomez, Cisneros knows (about) infiltrations and has done nothing to prevent them." See 104-10275-10008, WAVE 7742: The Rex was supporting JURE's infiltration of 600 pounds of cargo into Cuba via KOLA. 104-10171-10417, WAVE 8277: Cache never picked up, Rex retrieved it, was this the same operation as above?
"During 2 Jan 64 discussion with AMTAUP-2...ARMANDO ALANIS REPEAT ALANIS ANGULO, who confidant of ROGELIO CISNEROS REPEAT CISNEROS of AMBANG organization, said former Revolutionary Navy Major Julio Cesar Alonso replaced as chief Costa Rican military base on orders (of) National Directorate AMBANG organization...AMTAUP-2 says ALANIS confides in him because they friends in PBRUMEN/Cuba for long time. When ALANIS arrived PBPRIME/USA, AMTAUP-2 put him in touch with (CIA officer). ALANIS thinks AMTAUP-2 no longer in contact with (CIA) and afraid tell CISNEROS that AMTAUP-2 worked with (CIA) because ALANIS afraid AMTAUP-2 may reveal ALANIS' former connection (CIA)."
2/14/64, JMWAVE to Director: "During 24 Jan conversation with AMTAUP-2...ARMANDO (ALANIS) ANGULO personnel chief AMBANG organization said organization completing preparations necessary (to) send group youths to all Latin American universities to lecture on organization's political thesis and tell youth of all Americas that (CIA) betraying current policy of ODYOKE/USA. While USA accepts and supports organization's political thesis of "democratic Left", (CIA) fights against it...C/S (Chief of Station) comment: Cisneros stressed need to prevent penetration of AMBANG group by CIA. Also stated that AMBANG must infiltrate one or more agents into confidence of (CIA)."
3/31/64, SA John Spurgers report to FBI Director: As of 12/6/63 "CIA maintains limited liaison with Manolo Ray, head of (JURE)...CIA is not satisfied with its relationship with JURE because CIA has been unable to determine exactly how the money is being used and if the funds are being properly used. CIA has also found it difficult to develop specific information concerning the inner workings of (JURE). CIA commented it would appreciate the continued receipt of any information which the Bureau might develop or receive concerning JURE...David A. Phillips, CIA, Mexico, advised on 2/17/64 that Julio Lanier Hevia is the representative of JURE in Mexico City (p. 8 of 50)...LUIS MANUEL RODRIGUEZ, a former Rebel Army lieutenant from Santiago de Cuba, and who is known as "Mama Dolores" while a member of Brigade 2506, is serving as an agent of MANOLO RAY in Fort Benning, Georgia. Individuals who are working with RODRIGUEZ are SILAS (or SYLAS) CUERVO CASTILLO and LUIS CLEMENTE BARCENAS SERRANO, both former members of Battalion 7, Brigade 2506 (12 of 50),,,On 10/21/63...(Rogelio Cisneros) stated that the military strategy of JURE is to bring about an internal uprising by coordinating a revolt among approximately 300,000 soldiers in Cuba who, Cisneros claims, are opposed to the Castro regime. (17 of 50)...JURE is planning landings in Cuba in early 1964 and predicts success, because "there is a great deal of sabotage going on in Cuba, because Cubans resent FIDEL CASTRO's complete sell-out to the Russians. (47 of 50)"