Cryptonym: AMJACK-1
A cable on August 27, 1960, from the director and originated by Reichhardt (probably Ken M. Crosby), also mentioned AMJACK-1. A cable on September 2, 1960, stated that "according AMJACK-1 archbishop plans no demonstration of political significance 8 Sept although his remarks that day will probably include some comment about Communism."
A dispatch on January 13, 1960, from Chief of Base (COB), Santiago de Cuba, mentioned that the MDC in Santiago de Cuba was headed by Laureano Garrote Jr., broker, and Guillermo Martinez. According to Kenneth L. Veausell, the information for this dispatch "was received from Laureano Garrote Jr., who is under development by the writer. Garrote is pro-U.S. having received his education in the United States. As a representative or broker, most of his business has come from U.S. firms."
A cable on April 28, 1960, stated that "business activity sharply restricted SACU (note: Santiago de Cuba). AMJACK-2 reports bank business at all time low with record low of three loans totaling 9,000 dollars one day past week." It is possible that AMJACK-2 was involved in finance, had a banking background.
A dispatch on August 11, 1960, stated that "the actual leader of the MDC in Oriente Province is a priest in Santiago de Cuba but the 'civilian' leader is Garrote who is in daily contact with the priest with whom he discusses future action and policy in Oriente."
Given the prominent mention of the MDC in Oriente in documents in 1960, it is possible that AMJACK-1 and -2 were in the ranks of this movement. AMJACK-1 was possibly the priest who was said to be the real leader of the MDC in Oriente. Laureano Garrote and Guillermo Martinez were also mentioned several times in documents on the MDC.
01/13/60: Dispatch from Chief of Base, Santiago de Cuba to Chief, WHD (Info: COS, Habana): ..."2...The MDC is not highly organized. A basic organization exists in all provinces with Camaguey the best organized having a membership of 600-1,000. The Santiago de Cuba organization is headed by Laureano Garrote Jr., broker, and Lic. Guillermo Martinez. The Santiago organization has its political sights pointed primarily at the campesinos, labor, and students... 5. The above information was received from Laureano Garrote Jr., who is under development by the writer. Garrote is pro-U.S. having received his education in the United States. As a representative or broker, most of his business has come from U.S. firms. He is now affiliated with a U.S. firm in Habana...Kenneth L. Veausell." - - - For the unredacted version see: https://www.archives.gov/files/research/jfk/releases/2021/docid-32412219.pdf
104-10193-10293: CABLE: SITREP. POPULARITY CASTRO REGIME DROPPED SHARPLY IN APRIL ALL
04/28/60: Cable from Santiago de Cuba to Director: SITREP: ..."2. Business activity sharply restricted SACU. AMJACK-2 (handwritten: 28 Apr 60) reports bank business at all time low with record low of three loans totaling 9,000 dollars one day past week. Night time bar and restaurant business almost at stand still with fewer customers than during repressive days Batista when mandatory or voluntary curfew existed. Few people on street after 10 p.m. Sharp contrast to six months ago. Parks active with unemployed daytime..."
08/11/60: Report Cover Sheet from Santiago de Cuba: Reporting Officer: Kenneth L. Veausell. Reports Officer: Kenneth L. Veausell. Approving Officer: Kenneth L. Veausell: Source: Laureano Garrote, Jr. - - - "SOURCE: High-level member of the Christian Democratic Movement (F). Appraisal of Content: 2. 1. The following persons with the positions shown below make up the municipal and provincial organization of the Movimiento Democratica Cristiano (MDC, Christian Democratic Movement) in the province of Oriente and the city of Santiago: 2. Santiago de Cuba: Guillermo Martinez - municipal co-ordinator. Miguel A. Raramonde Rad-Cliff - secretary of propaganda. Jorge Arango - secretary of finance. (to be named) - secretary of action. Hector Carbonnell - student affairs leader. Nemecio Vizo - student affairs leader. Jose Casal - provincial co-ordinator for student affairs. Laureano Garrote, Jr. - provincial co-ordinator of the MDC in Oriente Province. 2. The actual leader of the MDC in Oriente Province is a priest in Santiago de Cuba but the 'civilian' leader is Garrote who is in daily contact with the priest with whom he discusses future action and policy in Oriente...5. The MDC lacks funds for its operation in Santiago and because of this its organizational and propaganda efforts have been curtailed. Many of the wealthy Cubans who donated large sums of money to the revolutionary cause of Prime Minister Fidel Castro Ruz are reluctant to donate funds again for a movement that shows no immediate or long range possibilities of overthrowing the present government of Cuba...7. The MDC has no organized fighting force in Oriente but it has made contact with other counterrevolutionary groups and it is attempting to provide direction for those groups..."
104-10192-10059: CABLE RE: BASE CAN ESTABLISH CONTACT WITH ARCHBISHOP THRU
08/25/60: Cable from Santiago de Cuba to Director: REF: A. MASH 0486 (IN 21507)* B. DIR 46891 (IN 61560). "Base can establish contact with archbishop thru AMJACK-1. American cut out AMJACK-2 suitable candidate for discussions with archbishop. If Cuban cut out preferable AMJAM-1 and his friend Jorge Bosch, son of Bacardi Czar Pepin Bosch, are already in contact with archbishop and AMJAM-1 has been urging church action or provocation for sometime. (Handwritten note: 'Re Anti-Castro church (Unintelligible).' C/S Comment: *HQs interested in advantageous effect mass Catholic demonstration provided HAVA/SACU can establish suitable means of working more directly with archbishop."
104-10193-10104: PLEASE PROCEED THROUGH CONTACTS SUGGESTED REF.
08/27/60: Cable from Director to Santiago de Cuba, (Info: Havana, JMASH) (Orig: B. E. Reichhardt, AC/WH/4/PA): JMNET: "1. Please proceed through contacts suggested ref to determine A. Will demonstration be held as scheduled. B. Does archbishop intend turn it into protest against Castro regime. C. If so what will be basis this protest. D. What problems he faces which we could help with. 2. Request you submit soonest recommendation for support action if that indicated. WH Comment: *Base can establish contact with archbishop thru AMJACK-1. **HQS interested in advantageous effect mass Catholic demonstration provided HAVA/SACU can establish suitable means of working more directly with archbishop." Releasing Officer: R. E. Gomez, AC/WHD. Authenticating Officer: R. Reynolds, AC/WH/4. - - - For the unredacted cable see: https://www.archives.gov/files/research/jfk/releases/2021/docid-32422784.pdf
104-10193-10398: CABLE: ACCORDING AMJACK-1 ARCHBISHOP PLANS NO DEMONSTRATION OF
09/02/60: Cable from Santiago de Cuba to Director: REF: DIR 47638 (OUT 63175)* (Handwritten at top: "Bernie - Pls double check"): "1. According AMJACK-1 archbishop plans no demonstration of political significance 8 Sept although his remarks that day will probably include some comment about Communism. 2. FYI: Padre Pruna of Habana requested authority hold mass 3 Sept SACU cathedral for Fidel Castro but archbishop denied permission. C/S Comment: *Requested STA proceed through contacts to determine if demonstration will be held as scheduled and if archbishop intend to turn it into protest against Castro regime."