Cryptonym: AMFAUNA-7
Fabian Escalante, in 634 Ways to Kill Fidel (2022), referred to the plot against Fidel Castro in the Presidential Palace in July of 1963 mentioned above. Escalante in this book also cited three other plots against Castro using guns. However, there was no mention of a car bomb plot which a friend of AMFAUNA-7 was allegedly involved in. It was possibly neutralized by Cuban security forces, or perhaps those involved feared the plot had been compromised in some way and it was subsequently aborted.
104-10070-10079: DISPATCH: OPERATIONAL/GYROSE-REVIEW AND ANALYSIS OF AMFAUNA OPERATION
07/23/62: Dispatch from COS, JMWAVE to Chief, Task Force W: Page 5: ..."g. AMFAUNA-7: An old friend of AMFAUNA-1 (David Cabeza Coupau) and his brother AMCUTLER-1. He works closely with AMFAUNA-8 and formerly was AMFAUNA-1's cutout to (REDACTION). h. AMFAUNA-8: An old friend of AMFAUNA-1 and his brother AMCUTLER-1. He has a contact in the Interior Ministry and works closely with AMFAUNA-7..."
104-10308-10125: DISPATCH: AMFAUNA PROGRESS REPORT FOR JUNE 1963
07/13/63: Dispatch from COS, JMWAVE to Chief, Special Affairs Staff: Reference: UFGA-9493, 11 June 1963: "OPERATIONAL DEVELOPMENTS: 5. AMFAUNA-7: In SW message no. 108, AMFAUNA-1 (David Cabeza Coupau) reported that three friends of AMFAUNA-7 had been selected for special weapons training. It is not yet known how AMFAUNA-7 got back into the operation after a lapse of over a year; possibly he was reintroduced by Identity-14 of Reference, who appears to know him. In his radio message no. 14, AMFAUNA-1 reported that a friend of AMFAUNA-7 is planning to assassinate AMTHUG before the 26th of July and wants financial support..."
104-10308-10124: CABLE RE AMFAUNA.
08/10/63: Cable from JMWAVE to Director: Slugline RYBAT TYPIC AMFAUNA: (Handwritten: FI Action): "1. AMFAUNA-1 (David Cabeza Coupau) has replied to OWVL No. 36 query as FOLL in SW MSG No. 134 dated 15 July received 30 Jul: AMFAUNA-7 wanted five thousand pesos for purchase two cars. These and two others which AMFAUNA-7's unidentified friend already had to be loaded with explosives and parked on street which AMTHUG (Fidel Castro) has to use when going to sleep at home of lady friend. AMFAUNA-7 already raised five thousand pesos by selling personal jewelry, and attempt to be made soon. Conspirators unaware true identity AMFAUNA-1, but do know that above details being forwarded ODYOKE (U.S. Government). 2. In SW MSG No. 143 dated 1 Aug received 5 Aug AMFAUNA-1 (handwritten note: (REDACTION) in touch AMFAUNA-12 and also "(the Swiss", NOTE: AMKNOB-1) reports info received from (REDACTION) that attempt on AMTHUG's life had been prepared for 26 July banquet Presidential Palace. Large caliber machine gun on tripod had been discovered behind curtain. AMFAUNA-1 commented this had nothing to do with AMFAUNA-7's plan which still pending. C/S Comment: AMFAUNA-1 has not explained how happened resume contact with AMFAUNA-7 in OWVL No. 36. Have requested this and other essential details when received. Will advise."
104-10308-10126: CABLE RE REQUEST FOR TRANSLATION
08/10/63: Cable from JMWAVE to Director: Slugline RYBAT TYPIC AMFAUNA: "1. Translation requested Ref A follows: 'MSG No. 134. AMFAUNA-35's access to Granma Base derives from fact he born near there and still has number friends in area...I have never dropped contact with AMFAUNA-7 and AMFAUNA-8 although I see them as little as possible. AMCUTLER-2 frequents place where they spend hours and hours talking with their friends, some of whom belong to regime like Comandante Efigenio Almejeiras who is intimate friend AMFAUNA-7 (201-332670). I keep away from them because they are drunks and likely attract CIS attention. AMFAUNA-7 called me to ask me to inform my friends abroad about his plan to assassinate Castro and to request financial support of five thousand pesos for purchase two cars. He said they already have another two cars and plan calls for putting explosive charges in four or five cars and parking them on street which Fidel must use when going to sleep at house of lady friend. All cars will blow up preventing his escape. I am one of five people who know identity person who organizing this but cannot reveal it even to you because these Cubans believe that U.S. policy toward Cuba had been so wrong that U.S. Govt agencies must be penetrated by traitors to democracy. I do not believe in assassination plan but report it because it my duty do so. AMFAUNA-7 has already raised five thousand pesos by selling his jewelry and act will take place any time. Conspirators do not know me at all, only AMFAUNA-7, but they do know that this info reached you.' 2. No additional info AMFAUNA-7 plan has been reported. 3. At WAVE request AMCUTLER-1 submitted report 12 July on AMFAUNA-7 based on personal knowledge. A. SUBJ was born CA 25 and is Cuban citizen. He attended University HAVA where he was friend AMTHUG, and graduated with Bachelor law degree. Subsequently entered used car business and had lot at Fifth and A, Vedado, HAVA..." (CONTINUED BELOW)
104-10308-10126: CABLE RE REQUEST FOR TRANSLATION
08/10/63: Cable from JMWAVE to Director: Slugline RYBAT TYPIC AMFAUNA: Pages 2-3: ..."Married with three-year-old son. Height six feet 2 inches, weight 190 lbs, brown hair, blue eyes, long face, slender build. B. AMCUTLER-1 was introduced to SUBJ in Jan 61 at Floridita Restaurant, HAVA by architect Mario Lanza who recommended SUBJ as trustworthy...with good contacts in government circles. SUBJ collaborated with AMCUTLER-1 by furnishing info, acquiring safe houses, hiding people, and transporting weapons. Last contact was 26 Apr 61 when SUBJ came AMFAUNA-(Unintelligible) home where AMCUTLER-1 hiding, and assisted AMCUTLER-1 obtain asylum. C. AMCUTLER-1 considers SUBJ brave determined and trustworthy person. He introduced SUBJ to AMFAUNA-1 and AMCUSP-1 at ops meetings Floridita Restaurant. SUBJ once showed AMCUTLER-1 small vial which he said contained poison which he planning administer to AMTHUG on suitable occasion. 4. AMCUTLER-1 also debriefed Jorge Sante and Vicente Fernandez , owner and manager respectively Sante Motors, Miami, on 11 July. Both had known AMFAUNA-7 since CA 51 due business connections. 5. Sante reported he had known AMFAUNA-7 be personal friend AMTHUG from student days. After fall Batista AMFAUNA-7 often seen AMTHUG company and once was photographed with him at Zaragonzana Restaurant. AMFAUNA-7 subsequently kept photo in his car in case ever needed to get him out of trouble. Aug 60 AMFAUNA-7 began express self as regime opponent, but continued maintain relations with CIS and other government personnel. His wild life and gambling habit caused him participate orgies with top govt leaders including Ramiro Valdez. Sante therefore considers AMFAUNA-7 untrustworthy. CA May 63 Sante received info from uniden source that AMFAUNA-7 still frequenting bars, overindulging alcohol, and openly criticizing Communist govt without ever having been arrested."
104-10308-10018: CABLE: WHILE BELIEVE HAVE REASONABLY ACCURATE PICTURE OF SPECIFIC
11/10/63: Cable from JMWAVE to Director: Slugline RYBAT TYPIC YOBITE: Page 2: ..."C. AMCUTLER-2. DSE aware she assisted AMFAUNA-1 (David Cabeza Coupau) in his ops. AMCUTLER-2 has apparently not been detained or interrogated by DSE. AMCUTLER-2 arrest could result roll-up of AMFAUNAS-7, 10 or 12?, 15, 18, 19, 25 and 27. WAVE plans exfil AMCUTLER-2 if possible..."
104-10308-10128: DISPATCH: TERMINATION OF AMFAUNA-1
07/08/64: Dispatch from COS, JMWAVE to Deputy Chief, WH/SA: Page 2: "7. c. AMFAUNA-1's (David Cabeza Coupau) participation in an attempt to assassinate AMTHUG-1 (Fidel Castro). He told Nisley on 28 May that he was involved with a group whose objective this is, that the group needs rapid communication with its people inside Cuba, and that it has a lead to a diplomat who was due to arrive in the JMWAVE area that weekend. AMFAUNA-1 offered KUBARK (CIA) the opportunity to train this diplomat in radio if his group could occasionally make use of the channel for its own purposes. AMFAUNA-1 refused any further identification of the group or the diplomat, and Nisley turned down the suggestion. Two days later AMHALF-5 arrived in town. On the off chance that he was the diplomat AMFAUNA-1 had referred to, AMHALF-5 was warned against any contact with AMFAUNA-1. AMHALF-5 thereupon turned over to his case officer a number of letters which AMFAUNA-1 had given him for mailing inside Cuba, among which was a letter to AMFAUNA-7 asking for a status report..."
Fabian Escalante: 634 Ways to Kill Fidel (2022)
Pages 157-158: "Report of the Department of State Security (DSE): Headquarters: Havana, August 1965: Our investigations have revealed the following: 1. From mid-1963 to date, through its agents in Cuba, the CIA has attempted to assassinate our Prime Minister Fidel Castro on four occasions. The CIA agents participating to a greater or lesser degree in this plot were: Mario Salabarria Aguiar (AMTURVY-13), Alberto Cruz Caso, Maria Leopoldina (AMCOG-2) and Ramon Grau Alsina (AMCOG-1), Miguel Matamoros Valle, Arturo Varona Hernandez, Rafael Quintana Castellanos, Bernardo Milanes Lopez (AMCROAK-1), Roberto Cainas Milanes, Eduardo Llanes Garcia, Roberto Sabater Cepero, Pedro Fuentes Milian, Mercedes de la Paz, Joel Trujillo, Antonio Fernandez Rodriguez, Magalys Reyes Gil, Enrique Diaz Hernandez, Juan Soto Rodriguez, Felix Rodolfo Valdes Cabrera. Also involved were Antonio de Varona Loredo (AMHAWK/AMDIP-1), Carlos Prio Socarras, Joaquin Sanjenis (AMOT-2) and Julio Salabarria Aguiar (AMTURVY-4), all Cubans resident in the United States, and two CIA officers known as Henry (possibly Henry J. Sloman who in turn was probably Tony Sforza) and Bill (possibly Bill Cook/Billings who in turn was probably Mickey Kappes). 2. The four plots referred to were to be executed at: a/ Revolution Plaza, at the 1963 commemoration of July 26, when the conspirators planned to fire on our prime minister, Fidel Castro, from the roof of the National Library, an action neutralized by security measures that prevented detainee Mario Salabarria's access to the building selected; c/ Between Linea and 23rd Street on Paseo Avenue, where the conspirators planned a three-car ambush to cut off the vehicle in which the prime minister was traveling and fire on it with submachine guns; d/ At 5th Avenue intersection in Miramar, where an ambush was planned using a telephone company truck with a .30 mm-caliber machine gun in the back to fire on Fidel's car." (CONTINUED BELOW)
Fabian Escalante: 634 Ways to Kill Fidel (2022)
"3. Three CIA networks participated in the project described above: a/ the group headed by Alberto Cruz Caso. b/ Arturo Varona Hernandez's group; c/ the network organized by Dr. Bernardo Milanes Lopez. 4. The CIA, which planned the project from the outset, periodically exerted control over it. Thus, after Arturo Varona fled to the United States, it recruited Dr. Milanes Lopez in Madrid to as backup for Operation Rafael, because it needed a man close to Mario Salabarria Aguiar who could exercise effective influence over him. To that same end, in January 1964, CIA agent Joaquin Sanjenis and the US officers known as Henry and Bill gave instructions and provided the means of communication to retain control of the operation, reiterating to Salabarria the order to assassinate Commander Fidel Castro. 5. In the searches related to the detainees, the following weapons were seized: an M1 carbine, four 3.57 Magnum revolvers, two 9mm, pistols fitted with silencers, two portable radio transmitters and a quantity of bullets."