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Cryptonym: AMFRAME-1

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Definition:
Rafael Rivas Vasquez was a prominent member of Artime's MRR from 1959 onward. A highly valued propaganda asset in UR's projects in the 1960s. By 1965 he was chief of the UR Economic Warfare section.
Status:
Documented
Discussion:
AMFRAME-1 was recruited originally by the CIA as a JMWAVE/KUWOLF singleton asset, and it was anticipated that he would join AMSPELL (DRE) organization. However, a returning DRE official meant Rivas Vasquez joined AMSCROLL (UR, also known as Unidad Revolucionaria) instead. He became a highly rated and valued AMSCROLL asset. AMFRAME-1 appears to have been kept on in 1968, as all the other remaining AMSCROLL assets were terminated.

Later became involved in the Venezuelan security police agency, rising to the rank of Deputy Director of DISIP.

A Miami Herald article in 2005 on the 1976 Cuban airline bombing, stated that Rivas Vasquez died in South Florida in 2000.
Sources:

104-10271-10033: CABLE: DUE CONTINUED PRESENCE MIAMI RAFAEL RIVAS VASQUEZ....

03/23/60: Cable from Havana to the Director: "1. Due continued presence Miami Rafael Rivas Vasquez, additional military cadre candidates not available. AMPALM-1 (Oscar Echeverria y Salvat) attempting to get names through other channel. Will advise..."

104-10192-10192: CABLE: RE LOSS OF JORGE SOTUA, WHEREABOUTS OF NINO DIAZ AND WORK WITH RAFAEL RIVAS

03/23/60: Cable from Havana to the Director. Note that despite redactions, references to ()COVE are almost certainly references to QDCOVE/Ricardo de la Lorie. "1. In meeting QDCOVE 23 March 1960 he stated group greatly distressed loss of Jorge Sotus. Expressed even greater concern possibility of loss Nino Diaz because of great support Diaz has built up. QDCOVE said he thought there is slim chance Diaz ever escape alone, although believes he has small boat. Without making specific appeal expressed hope that something could be done to exfiltrate Diaz. Are there any plans to get Diaz out? 2. Ref his current discussions with Rafael Rivas, QDCOVE said they were more or less general plans consisting mostly of inventory of assets and charting of organization. When asked if plans involve military action with particular reference Isle of Pines, QDCOVE said they giving only tentative consideration to military targets but this completely secondary. Has no intention presenting plan for approval at this time. QDCOVE will make available copies of their plan as soon as completed... 3. QDCOVE also said that Rivas, in light of plight Sotus and Diaz, is somewhat apprehensive returning Havana. Has some information to effect his home searched during his absence. QDCOVE advised to hold Rivas here until get a reading on his situation. Request Havana advise with regard to possible difficulties Rivas might encounter on return..."

104-10241-10193: CABLE: IN ADDITION TO THE NAMES PASSED TO SPARKS 9 MAY

05/10/60: Cable from Miami to the Director: Page 2: "2. It stated that visa Rafael Rivas Vasquez past member of Nat Dir MRR also about to expire. Date not presently known..." Another CIA cable also documented the link between Rivas Vasquez and MRR/Artime: https://www.maryferrell.org/showDoc.html?docId=20915&search=104-10240-10027#relPageId=2&tab=page

104-10226-10347: DISPATCH: AMSCROLL PROGRESS REPORT FOR NOVEMBER 1964

12/28/64: Dispatch from COS, JMWAVE to Deputy Chief, WH/SA: A. OPERATIONAL: "1...Another development in the operational handling by AMSCROLL (UR, also known as Unidad Revolucionaria) was the successful penetration of the Propaganda Staff by AMFRAME-1. Recruited originally as a JMWAVE/KUWOLF singleton asset because of his demonstrated flare for propaganda operations and a fine ability to present his ideas in orderly detail, he was first directed toward the AMSPELL (DRE) organization. When the target position there was filled unexpectedly by a former AMSPELL official who had returned recently to the JMWAVE area, AMFRAME-1 was instructed to apply for employment with AMSCROLL. Although he had no past connection with the AMSCROLL organization he was known personally by several of the key members, and was a school mate of the Propaganda Chief. He is met by the case officer about once a week at which times AMFRAME-1 submits written reports on the AMSCROLL structure, personnel, and programs. His rationale for so doing is to provide KUBARK (CIA) with information necessary for the proper disposition of funds and personnel in the cause of Cuban liberation. His first impressions will be submitted with the December progress report..." - - - Pages 2-3: D. FUTURE PLANS: 1. AMFRAME-1 will serve a double purpose in reporting directly to the case officer on AMSCROLL internal politicking, which might thus be nipped in the bud before it becomes a serious rift, and because of his obvious talents, will contribute new strength to the AMSCROLL Propaganda Department in terms of imagination and writing skill..."

104-10226-10024: UNIDAD REVOLUCIONARIA (AMSCROLL)

01/20/65: Dispatch from COS, JMWAVE to Deputy Chief, WH/SA: Subject: TYPIC/OPERATIONAL/AMSCROLL Progress Report, December 1964: Page 2: ..."5. AMFRAME-1, who is now second man in the AMSCROLL (UR, also known as Unidad Revolucionaria) Propaganda Section by dint of his demonstrated imagination and initiative, came up with a proposal during the month to test reaction to printed materials being sent to Cuba..."

104-10226-10024: UNIDAD REVOLUCIONARIA (AMSCROLL)

12/15/65: Cable from JMWAVE: Slugline RYBAT TYPIC ZRWAGON: "1. AMFRAME-1 (IDEN)... 2. AMFRAME-1 is Chief Economic Warfare section AMSCROLL (UR, also known as Unidad Revolucionaria) and has collaborated with station and AMWASP-1 (Gilberto R. Alemany) on Japan/Cuba trade ops. He prepared discuss with Oscar or other C/O how AMSCROLL might better support effort reduce this trade. 4. (REDACTION) AMFRAME-1 enroute (REDACTION) on sensitive op. Originating trip Caracas to hide WAVE area origin"... Page 326: "IDEN: Rafael Rivas Vazquez."

104-10226-10024: UNIDAD REVOLUCIONARIA (AMSCROLL)

06/17/66: Dispatch from COS, JMWAVE to Chief, WH (Info: COS, Bogota): Subject: TYPIC/MHVIPER/AMSCROLL: "1. Station JMWAVE appreciates the implementation thereof AMFRAME-1 has written Jaime Lozano of the Colombian National Association of Sugar Cane Growers as suggested in paragraph 1 of the reference. AMFRAME-1 also enclosed certain statistics developed by AMSCROLL (UR, also known as Unidad Revolucionaria) which we hope will be of use to Lozano. Copies of the letter and of the translation are forwarded by separate cover..." - - - Pages 216-217: Letter from Dr. Rafael Rivas Vasquez to Jaime Lozano: https://www.maryferrell.org/showDoc.html?docId=147943&search=104-10226-10024#relPageId=217&tab=page - - - Pages 220-221: Same letter in English: Dr. Rafael Rivas Vasquez, Secretary for Economic and Professional Affairs: https://www.maryferrell.org/showDoc.html?docId=147943&search=104-10226-10024#relPageId=220&tab=page

104-10226-10024: UNIDAD REVOLUCIONARIA (AMSCROLL)

06/20/66: Dispatch from COS, JMWAVE to Chief, WH: Subject: TYPIC/MHSPAWN/Status Report re JMWAVE Psych Projects: Page 2: ..."4. AMFRAME-1. Singleton agent who is main driving force behind AMSCROLL (UR, also known as Unidad Revolucionaria) operation and together with AMASK-1 runs AMKNOT (program to assist Cuban merchant mariners who have defected from their service) activity. 5. AMKNOT. A new committee formed at Headquarters request to hit ZRWAGON (probably a program of overseas dockside sabotage operations, including the recruitment of seamen. The target was commercial shipments to Cuba) defection target. AMFRAME-1 and AMASK-1 are working very effectively as principal agents for this project and latter has been especially effective in securing jobs for ZRWAGON defectors..."

104-10226-10024: UNIDAD REVOLUCIONARIA (AMSCROLL)

02/23/68: Dispatch from COS, JMWAVE to Chief, WH Division: Subject: Operational TYPIC/AMSCROLL Termination of AMSCROLL Personnel: "1. The AMSCROLL (UR, also known as Unidad Revolucionaria) activity was terminated 31 August 1967 and all operations ceased at that time..." Page 2: ..."5. There were four Station agents involved in this operation at the time of its termination. They were AMWORD-1, AMWORD-2, AMWORD-3 (Mario Seiglie Montoro), and AMFRAME-1. All but AMFRAME-1 were terminated and individual termination dispatches are being forwarded as appropriate."

124-10290-10054: FBI MEMORANDUM: ORLANDO LAZARO FERNANDEZ VASQUEZ, AKA DR. ORLANDO FERNANDEZ...

08/27/76: Memo from SAC, Miami to the Director: Page 2: "Second confidential source abroad is RAFAEL RIVAS VASQUEZ, Operations Officer, Directorate of Intelligence and Prevention Services, Caracas, Venezuela..."

124-10213-10419: FBI TELETYPE: UNSUBS; BOMBING OF CUBANA AIRLINES DC-8 NEAR BARBADOS, WEST INDIES, OCTOBER 6, 1976

11/04/76: Teletype from Caracas to Director: Page 4: ..."Fabbri said present at the interrogation were Rafael Rivas Vasquez, Deputy Director of DISIP, and three other unknown persons whom Fabbri described as Cubans..."

ARTICLE IN THE MIAMI HERALD BY ALFONSO CHARDY: POSADA ACCUSES FELLOW EXILE OF 1976 AIRLINER BOMBING

04/17/2005: ..."Venezuelan prosecutors charged that Ricardo and Lugo, acting on orders from Bosch and Posada (note: WKSCARLET-3), put a bomb in the plane's rear bathroom before it left Barbados. Investigators found that after the blast, Ricardo called Posada at his office in Caracas. Later that night, Posada wrote, a senior DISIP officer -- Rafael Rivas Vazquez -- met Posada at a bar and expressed concern about whether he, Bosch and Morales were implicated. Posada says he told Rivas Vazquez - who died in South Florida in 2000 - that neither he nor Bosch were involved."... https://www.latinamericanstudies.org/posada/accuses.htm - - - Also see Ann Louise Bardach, Without Fidel (2009): "DISIP's deputy chief, Rafael Rivas Vasquez, early on informed US authorities that the Cubana bombing had been planned at CORU's kickoff meeting in the Dominican Republic. How did he know? His predecessor, Orlando Bosch had told him. Orlando Garcia (CIRASH-6) also forwarded to the CIA his investigation, which concluded that all four men were part of the conspiracy. (Posada, Bosch, Freddy Lugo and Hernan Ricardo). But the US expressed scant interest in the case..."

Contributors:
Gavin McDonald • Bill Simpich

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