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Cryptonym: AMFAUNA-3

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Definition:
Hortensia Orizondo Meneses. A cable on January 5, 1965, stated that AMFAUNA-3 was "ACSI source No. 180, under whose net Jose Vasquez Nerey worked until A/3 (was) exfiltrated by AMTRUNKS in September, 1963."
Status:
Documented
Discussion:
A cable in January of 1964 stated that Jose Vasquez Nerey had been ACSI Source No. 290. In a meeting that month, JMWAVE stated that they had no further interest in using Vasquez, and that appeared to be largely the same position that ACSI took as well.
Sources:

104-10234-10105: UNDATED DOCUMENT: IDENTITY PAGE

..."AMFAUNA-3: Hortensia ORIZONDO Meneses"

104-10070-10079: DISPATCH: REVIEW AND ANALYSIS OF AMFAUNA OPERATION

07/23/62, Dispatch from COS, JMWAVE to Chief of Task Force W: "b. AMFAUNA-3: AMFAUNA-1's (David Cabeza Coupau) first mention of her is in his S/W message No. 127 dated 4 May 1962. She has provided information on military hospitals, and has a trusted contact (Identity 7) (REDACTION). She also was AMFAUNA-1's cutout to Identity-12, who was a (REDACTION) of the (REDACTION). In early June 1962 she was approached by Identity-8 who claimed to be the new contact to the (REDACTION) organization. (See also paragraph 58 below). On 15 March 1962 AMFAUNA-3 was traced by ODIBEX (U.S. Army) who proposed to use her in their Operation CASINO. A negative trace reply was given at that time. Headquarters is requested to ascertain whether ODIBEX has a valid prior claim on this agent..." Page 3: Marginalia describes AMFAUNA-3 as "Hortensia"...Page 13: "59. As mentioned in paragraph 15b above, ODIBEX has some kind of interest in AMFAUNA-3, and it may be that their files contain intelligible answers to some of the questions raised by this development. For instance: a. Why did the Ramirez organization not know of the arrest of Identity-12, one of its own members, which had occurred at least a month previously? b. If the Ramirez organization was so poorly informed about Identity-12, how did they know about AMFAUNA-3, and why did they think she would be the appropriate person to give the letter to?... c. (4) (REDACTION) returns to Las Villas, reports that the letter cannot be delivered to identity-12, and is told that AMFAUNA-3 should be given the letter. (5) (REDACTION) goes to Sancti Spiritus and locates Identity-8 who is a personal friend of AMFAUNA-3 and can introduce him to her, and who providentially is able to vouch for the authenticity of (REDACTION) signature on the letter. (6) (REDACTION) and Identity-8 go to Havana and give the letter to AMFAUNA-3..."

104-10309-10008: DISPATCH: PROGRESS REPORT AMTRUNK TEAM, PERIOD 1-30 SEPTEMBER 1963

10/18/63, Dispatch from COS, JMWAVE to Chief, Special Affairs Staff: "1. OPERATIONAL ACTIVITY ...At the same time KUBARK (CIA) offered to assist ODIBEX (U.S. Army) by exfiltrating AMFAUNA-3 on the same operation during which AMTRUNK-9 (Modesto Orlando Orozco Basulto) would be infiltrated." - - - Page 4: ..."At the same time, preparations were going forward to infiltrate AMTRUNK-9 and to exfiltrate AMFAUNA-1 (David Cabeza Coupau), -3 and -34. AMICE-14 (Miguel A. Diaz Isalgue) was to be the acting team leader for this operation, accompanied by the two team guides, AMTRUNK-7 (Pedro Diaz Torres) and -8. Late on 8 September AMICE-27 (Dr. Nestor Moreno) escorted Trillo to the airport for his return to New York. Several hours later the infiltration team consisting of AMICE-14, AMTRUNK-7, -8 and -9 were loaded on board the M/V Neptune for their infiltration scheduled for the following evening, 9 September. The infiltration of AMTRUNK-9 and the exfiltration of four AMFAUNAs (AMFAUNA-13 [note: Manuel Villamanan] was included in the exfiltration party at the last moment) went off very smoothly. Attached herewith as Attachment A is AMICE-14's log of this operation..."

104-10075-10032: JMWAVE CABLE RE EXCELLENT RELATIONS ON LOCAL LEVEL

11/24/63, Cable from JMWAVE to Director: "1. WAVE relations with ACSI on local level excellent with no outstanding problems. Misunderstandings, if any, apparently generated on higher Pentagon level. 2. If difficult comment on ACSI ops Cuba as WAVE knowledge these ops stems not from broad coordination function under DCID's but from WAVE responses to specific ACSI requests for support or from instances where WAVE and ACSI ops cross. WAVE appraisal ACSI ops based on limited data which currently available indicates ACSI has tendency work agents in Cuba under net concept in which net leader functions as P/A and main commo channel. Net leader prepares all intel reports for forwarding to ACSI. Thus loss of net leader blows entire op. ACSI depends almost entirely on SW for commo. ACSI has attempted mount ops into Cuba but has had no known success in this field. ACSI has no infil/exfil capability thus most their ops mounted via legal means. Discussions with ACSI reps re functioning their nets in situations where ACSI ops cross with WAVE ops i.e. AMFAUNA-3, reveals ACSI knows little re background their agents. ACSI states their main target Cuba is OR. WAVE unable judge quality or quantity ACSI intel reporting on op targets as few if any reports are passed at Miami level. 3. It apparent Miami ACSI chief not satisfied with results his efforts to date. ACSI chief feels he could do more if he had more flexibility and was not over-supervised by his HQs. ACSI chief Miami and his exec plan visit WASH for consultations 25 to 26 Nov. C/S Comment: Requested report on current relationship with ACSI."

104-10213-10261: CABLE: INITIAL DEBRIEFINGS COMPLETED 17 JAN, HE AND FAMILY RELEASED SAME DATE INTO JMWAVE AREA

01/23/64: Cable from JMWAVE to Director: Slugline RYBAT TYPIC AMTRUNK MHAPRON: Page 2: ..."5. With reference to ops use of Jose Vasquez Nerey, ODIBEX (U.S. Army) Source No 290, A-9 says he instructed Vasquez to cut off ops contact, but that Vasquez refused, and stated he would only work for A-9 and nobody else. A-9 (AMTRUNK-9) therefore continued to use Vasquez, who drove A-9 and family to exfil point and was introduced by A-9 to one of AMTRUNK ratline agents. Just prior to exfil A-9 also trained Vasquez in his OWVL and S/W and turned over receiver, pads and supplies to latter. 6. In meeting with ODIBEX reps 21 Jan, info in para 5 above passed/ JMWAVE stated had no further interest using Vasquez, proposed ODIBEX attempt to run, or he be exfiltrated. ODIBEX rep stated that he no longer interested in Vasquez except to try to exfil to preserve security of internal net. It therefore agreed that JMWAVE, with specific ODIBEX approval at local level, would try initiate commo via OWVL and S/W with Vasquez, with ultimate objective to exfil. 7. Details by pouch. Index."

104-10225-10009: CABLE: OP AMTRUNK X POSTPONED TO LATE JANUARY SINCE AMTRUNK/9 HAS NOT RETURNED FROM REF TRIP

01/05/65, cable from JMWAVE to Director: slugline RYBAT TYPIC YOBITE AMTRUNK: "1. Op AMTRUNK X postponed to late January since AMTRUNK-9 (Modesto Orlando Orozco Basulto) has not returned from ref trip...AMICE/14 (Miguel A. Diaz Isalgue) rcvd info from both wife A/9 and IDEN B that funds for operation provided by AMFAUNA/3 ostensibly from KUBARK (CIA). AMFAUNA/3 is ACSI source no. 180 under whose net Jose (Vasquez) Nerey worked until A/3 exfiltrated by AMTRUNKS Sep. 63. 2. According to wife A/9 trip planned for one week duration but no word yet rcvd from Axo to explain delay...On 30 Dec, wife A/9 states, AMFAUNA-3 telephoned IDEN A in Havana. Reportedly Vasquez himself answered phone and stated A/9 had not yet arrived..." - - - This redacted document is easier to read: https://www.maryferrell.org/showDoc.html?docId=161202#relPageId=1&tab=page Reel 70, Folder E - AMBUD INTEL PRODUCTION, p. 184: In a similar vein, pilot Gaston Bernal y Fernandez is ACSI source 252; 104-10308-10065: AMFAUNA-23 is identical with ACSI source DUJ 315/41; 104-10076-10370, p. 4: Luis Villar Negret aka "El Negro" for whom AMFAUNA-14 was a cut-out was ACSI source 492, while Gerard Jose Quesada Vasquez aka "El Guajiro Bermudez" was ACSI source 428; 104-10244-10076: In 1966, Tony Cuesta was an ACSI source; 104-10104-10049: During at least 1964-65, Angel Manuel Hernandez Rojo was an ACSI source.

104-10234-10103: CABLE: AMTRUNK-9 NOW ALMOST TWO WEEKS OVERDUE ON RETURN FROM REF B TRIP PBRUMEN

01/08/65, cable from JMWAVE to Director: slugline TYPIC AMTRUNK AMLASH: "1. AMTRUNK-9 (Modesto Orlando Orozco Basulto) now almost two weeks overdue on return from ref B trip PBRUMEN (Cuba). AMICE-14 (Miguel A. Diaz Isalgue) who in daily contact with A-9 wife reports that neither she nor AMFAUNA-3 have heard any word of A-9 as of 7 Jan. WAVE sources still reflect no news A-9. AMFAUNA-3 who reportedly paymaster thru yet undisclosed sponsors for A-9 trip recently gave wife A-9 $100 for support for which hrs A-9 did not sign receipt. 2. WAVE attempting clarify Iden of sponsor behind AMFAUNA-3. Although ACSI has repeatedly denied involvement, A-3 still current ACSI source and Vasquez former ACSI agent. WAVE sources do not indicate that either A-3 or AMFAUNA-1 (David Cabeza Coupau) who also mentioned by A-3 as involved in Vasquez rescue attempt have sufficient funds to underwrite boat expense and money paid to agents which in neighborhood of $1200, and fulfill obligation care for families if A-9 and crew do not return. WAVE also trying establish IDEN of Puerto Rican identified only as 'Jorge' who reportedly visited A-9 several times prior to trip and who appears be AMFAUNA-3 boss..." (See 104-10225-10009, p. 235 for the folder containing this document).

104-10234-10101: CABLE: SINCE FORWARDING REF D WAVE PRESSED INVESTIGATION SPONSORSHIP AMTRUNK-9 TRIP

01/19/65, cable from JMWAVE to Director: slugline RYBAT TYPIC AMTRUNK: "1. Since forwarding ref D WAVE pressed investigation sponsorship AMTRUNK-9 (Modesto Orlando Orozco Basulto) trip. From statements made by wife AMTRUNK-9 to AMICE-14 (Miguel A. Diaz Isalgue) and IDEN A, statements from A-9 directly to IDEN A and written note from AMFAUNA-3 to A-9, there substantial circumstantial evidence indicate ACSI involvement...IDEN B (Acting CO ACSI WAVE area) did not exclude possibility insubordination or misrepresentation on part AMFAUNA-3 and/or agent handler 'Torres.' 'JORGE' (see para 2 ref B) has since identified himself to Mrs. A-9 as 'Torres' which same pseudo under which ACSI identified agent handler in charge prelim debriefing A-9 re former ACSI source (REDACTION). 2. After 'Torres' unannounced visit home A-9 13 Jan, wife A-9 noted license plate number of 'Torres' automobile. Prefix '680' this license identified as plate (REDACTION) for covert use ODYOKE (U.S. Government). 3. Despite probing and direct accusation by Mrs. A-9, neither AMFAUNA-3 nor 'Torres' admitted to her funds for A-9 trip came from 'Pentagon' which AMFAUNA-3 told Mrs. A-9 'Torres' represents...Mrs. A-9 firmly believes A-3 paymaster for funds provided by 'Torres' through parent organization...7. Funds expended A-9 trip estimated conservately approx $1450 including $700...A-3 supplied one M-1 rifle and one M-1 carbine but Mrs. A-9 believes A-9 bought ammo... 9. Both WAVE and ACSI pressing investigation. WAVE supplying pertinent circumstantial evidence and ACSI supplying photo of agent handler 'Torres.'"

Contributors:
Gavin McDonald • Bill Simpich

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