Cryptonym: AMOT-119
Active in SFNE with Eloy Gutierrez Menoyo.
Despite some initial denials, Lesnick now admits that he was the one who came up with the well-known phrase “Cuba Si, Yankee No.”. See Clip 5 in this trailer... http://www.manoftwohavanas.com Because Lesnick reached out to both sides - documented in his daughter Vivian Lesnick's documentary The Man of Two Havanas - he was targeted by the anti-Castro forces in Miami.
CIA biographical sheet, providing his history and his identity - Max Lesnick Menendez was 201-209258. AMFREE (probably Richard Poyle) described Lesnick as "red as a beet". The connection between Lesnick and this 201 number also seen in this 1961 document, describing him as a socialist - 104-10173-10278, p.3.
HSCA briefing book shows Antonio Veciana recalled Lesnick working with Eloy Gutierrez Menoyo in the SFNE.
104-10173-10010: FORM: DOCUMENT TRANSFER AND CROSS REFERENCE
A further indication that 201-209258 and AMOT-119 are the same person. Refers to a report on AMCORE-2 (201-278130), provided on 11/25/63.
104-10102-10236: DISPATCH ON OPERATIONAL ACTIVITIES
The purpose of JURE funding Replica was to counter the pro-Batista forces in Miami. The Spanish name for "Cuba Awakens" was "Cuba Despierta".
104-10166-10377: DISPATCH: OPERATIONAL/TYPIC/AMOT PRODUCTION MAX LESNICK'S OPINION OF KUBARK AGENTS
Marginalia indicates that AMOT-119 may be the same person as 201-209258 - Lesnick's identity.
"The April 1, 1964 issue of 'Replica', a four-page Spanish newspaper published in the Miami area by Max Resnick, a close friend and associate of Eloy Gutierrez Menoyo, contained an article reporting that Dr. Rufo Lopez Fresquet, ex-Minister of the Treasury of the Cuban Government, has been admitted into membership of the SNFE."
104-10103-10110: ACTIVITIES OFJORGE VOLSKY
8/24/64 memo from Shackley, COS/WAVE to Deputy Chief, WH/SA: "AMOT-119 learned...that JURE pays for REPLICA's and that LESNICK immediately gives a copy to JORGE VOLSKY as soon as it is published. (JMWAVE traces on Lesnick, 201-209258, show that like VOLSKY, he is a Cuban citizen of Polish origin...The purpose of the newspaper, REPLICA, is to counter pro-BATISTA propaganda in the Cuban exile community.)...the pro-Batista newspaper PATRIA attacked LESNICK as "the little Polack of Cuba Si Yankee No", and attacked him for working with VOLSKY.
8/19/65 slugline TYPIC AMKNOB AMRAZZ AMOT: AMJAG-7 is 201-209258.
104-10234-10191: CABLE RE: AMOT-119 LEARNED ON 22 DEC FROM ROLANDO MERUELO, DIRECTOR MRR
12/24/64, Cable from JMWAVE to Director: Sluglines TYPIC AMLASH AMWORLD: "AMOT-119 leanred on 22 Dec from Rolando Meruelo, Director MRR Tridente radio program Miami, that AMBIDDY-1 now in Europe and plans meet AMLASH-1."
104-10262-10391: CABLE:IDEN A: MAX EDGARDO LESNIK MENENDEZ
8/19/65: Identifies Max Lesnik as a focus in previous post. His newspaper Replica also hosted a daily radio program on WMIE from 1845-1900 (6:45-7:00 pm).
During 1973, a source quoted Lesnick as saying that his friend and adviser, George Volsky, advised him to keep quiet because the States Attorney was investigating the relationship between the Cuban Mafia and the FBI and other law enforcement agencies. Lesnick said Volsky is a close friend of Richard Gerstein, States Attorney, Miami.