Cryptonym: AMCHEER-25
A August 1964 dispatch mentioned that AMCHEER-25 had reported on AMBIDDY-1's (Manuel Artime Buesa) activities. Information had come from Pedro Leyva Ugarriza through Carlos Rivera. Although not AMCHEER-25, Pedro Leyva was a source for A-25. Therefore, AMCHEER-25 may have been somebody connected to Leyva.
1994.06.23.13:22:09:410005: Reel 68, Folder C - AMBUD [DELETION] MEMOS.
05/21/62: Memorandum for the record no. 317: Subject: Proposal of Dr. Miro Cardona to Publish a Tabloid Type Weekly or Semi-Monthly Fighting Type Paper:..."He has in mind having this project put under Pedro Leyva, a newspaperman with a penchant for vivid fighting type writing. This Pedro Leyva is the same man who was proposing last November to lead an expedition of his own to conduct a sabotage campaign in Cuba..."
10/31/62: Report No. 22: Source: Conte Aguero, Mario Marti and others: "Since the appearance of newspaper 'Denuncia' in this area, it is been the opinion of Conte Aguero and other newspapermen in this area, that the style and phraseology utilized, appears to have been confectioned by Pedro Leyva of the Newspapermen's Sindyccate, a faction of Cuban newsmen in this area. On October the 31st, I was informed by Mario Marti, Cuban newspaperman, who had been invited the night of the 30th, to a meeting held by the Newspapermen's Syndicate, that Pedro Leyva stated to the newspapermen gathered there, that he could not devote all his time to the Syndicate, since he was working with the newspaper 'Denuncia' and actively engaged in the confection of the next edition, requesting that this be kept secret. Cesar Lancis, Cuban newspapermen present, according to Marti, told Leyva that this was no secret and that all of the newsmen in the area were aware of this. COMMENTS: In the publication of the 1st of October, 1962, under column 'Panel', in the 3rd page, the names Macho Barquer and Juan Mesa, are mentioned as CIA agents (Report on Juan Mesa was submitted on Oct. 9th, 1962 (Report No. 16). In the publication of Oct. 17th, 1962, under the column 'Panel', page 8, the names Joaquin Sanjenis and Macho Barquer of the CIA, are also mentioned. Pedro Leyva is known to have been on the payrolls of the 'Frente' before the invasion, and is still in the payrolls of the CRC, as newspaperman Assessor. His name does not appear in the newspaper 'Denuncia', as a member of its staff. Jesus Gonzalez Cartas that appears as Director of this publication, is a notorious gangster in Cuba, dating to the Prio Government. B." Handwritten note: "C/PW___Caponong___"
08/30/63: Cable from WAVE to Director: "SUPDATA: AMCONCERT-1 (Francisco Wilfredo Varona Alonso) from Pedro Leyva who learned info from Dr. Cristobal M. Gonzalez..." - - - Page 3: Information Report: COUNTRY: Cuba/Nicaragua. Date & Place Acq.: United States, Miami (29 August 1963): "1. On 27 Aug 63 Pedro Leyva Ugarriza (Handwritten note: 201-311147), a newspaperman, learned from Dr. Cristobal M. Gonzalez Mayo who had spoken with his friend Carlos Zayas Castro (201-11775), a confidant of Rolando Arcadio Masferrer Rojas, that as of 27 Aug Masferrer was in hiding in the Miami area and had changed houses several times in order to keep on the move..." Page 5: Confirmation of 201 numbers.
10/15/63: Report Cover Sheet from JMWAVE: Reporting Officer: Jane D. Astrahan. Reports Officer: Margaret R. Nankall. Approving Officer: Andrew K. Reuteman (Ted Shackley): "Source: AMRAZOR-1 (probably Norman Diaz) from Lesnik. AMCONCERT-1 (Francisco Wilfredo Varona Alonso) learned from Pedro Jose Leyva Ugarriza, a newspaperman, on 4 September that Rogelio Cisneros Diaz of JURE said 'they' wanted to put out a newspaper in the name of JURE, and wanted Leyva to manage it. Cisneros said that Ray was not satisfied with the one who was directing his publications either in Miami or Venezuela. This newspaper may be the same one mentioned in the report."
104-10075-10391: JMWAVE CABLE RE CLEARANCE CHANGE REQUEST
12/02/63: Cable from JMWAVE to Director: Slugline DIR CITE WAVE 8404: TYPIC SECUR AMCHEER-25: "1. Request AMCHEER-25 (201-299247*) OA clearance be changed to OSA. He became naturalized U.S. citizen 21 Dec 62 and is utilized as P/A interpreter for AMBANTY operation. 2. A-25's last LCFLUTTERED (polygraph - "lie detector" - testing) Aug 61. Request permission re FLUTTER soonest due to sensitive nature of his work." (*Last digit might be a 9).
104-10077-10270: CABLE: NO KUSODA OBJECTION FLUTTER
12/05/63: Cable from Director to JMWAVE: Slugline TYPIC SECUR AMCHEER/25: REF: WAVE 8404 (IN 71892) "No KUSODA (CIA Office of Security) objection FLUTTER (polygraph - "lie detector" - testing). SAS Comment: *Requested KUSODA approval flutter AMCHEER/25 who naturalized U.S. citizen."
124-10225-10142: CIA INFORMATION REPORT
07/06/64: Information Report: COUNTRY: Cuba. PLACE & DATE ACQ.: United States, Miami (17 June 1964). SUBJECT: Dissension within the Junta Revolucionaria Cubana (JURE). "SOURCE: A Cuban exile who was prominent in politics at the provincial level in Cuba, source is well known by the Cuban exiles and has reported objectively on their political maneuvers. This information was obtained from Pedro Leyva Ugarriza. 1. On 17 June 1964 Pedro Leyva Ugarriza, who is on the staff of the newspaper 'Replica', which is financed by the Junta Revolucionaria Cubana (JURE, Cuban Revolutionary Junta), said that Manuel Ray Rivero, JURE leader, has been trying to resolve what Levya termed 'an internal crisis' within JURE. The crisis apparently stems from the attitude of Rogelio Cisneros Diaz who, in Ray's absence, had tried to assume absolute control of JURE, this together with Cisneros' appointment of his own wife, Maria Gomez, as treasurer of JURE, has engendered resentment toward Ray. 2. Levya said that as long as Ray is in the United States, Cisneros will not be able to rally any support because JURE responds to Ray's leadership. Ray is apparently trying to resolve all differences in the organization before he leaves for Cuba."
104-10163-10173: ARTIME BUESA, MANUEL (VOL XIII).
08/21/64: Dispatch from COS, JMWAVE to Deputy Chief, WH/SA: Subject: RYBAT/TYPIC/AMWORLD/Reports on AMBIDDY/1 Activities: Page 2: "d. AMCHEER-25. (This information is from Pedro Leyva Ugarizza, sub director of the paper, Replica, through Carlos Riviera). Report attached under separate cover. (REDACTION)."