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Cryptonym: AMOT-174

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Definition:
Dr. Marcus Rodriguez Menendez, an attorney and executive member of the Movimiento Democrata Cristiano (MDC).
Status:
Speculative
Discussion:
AMOT-174 used Marcus Rodriguez Menendez extensively as a source. Therefore, it is possible that the latter was AMOT-174. Rodriguez, as an executive member of the MDC, with all the access to information that implies, would be in a very good position to be used as an AMOT.

In addition, Rodriguez, along with Batista Falla and Jose Ignacio Rasco, represented the MDC at the World Congress of the Christian Democrats in October 1963. Furthermore, Rodriguez reported that Batista Falla said that he believed that it would be the CIA who would overthrow Castro at a meeting in early November 1963.

Rodriguez was a source for AMOT-2 (Jose Joaquin Sanjenis Perdomo) in 1964 - see 104-10192-10117, 104-10192-10118. Marcus Rodriguez Menendez was the/a brother of AMYUM-14.
Sources:

104-10192-10090: FIELD INFORMATION REPORT: SUBJECT - OFFER TO CUBAN EXILES OF BASE IN NICARAGUA BY FORMER PRESIDENT LUIS SOMOZA

07/18/63, Report Cover Sheet from JMWAVE. Reporting Officer: Henry J. Sloman. Reports Officer: Margaret R. Nankall. Approving Officer: Andrew K. Reuteman. "Source: AMOT-174 in DD-250 of 7 July 1963. AMOT-174 spoke with Rodriguez who presumably attended the meeting although this was not made clear in the report..." - - - Page 3: "SOURCE:...This information was obtained from Dr. Marcos Rodriguez Menendez, an executive member of the MDC..."

104-10192-10087: FIELD INFORMATION REPORT: SUBJECT - 1. UNITY PACT NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN THE MOVIMIENTO DEMOCRATA CRISTIANO (MDC) AND OTHER CUBAN EXILE ORGANIZATIONS. 2. MDC PLANS FOR ACTION AGAINST CUBA

09/03/63, Report Cover Sheet from JMWAVE: "Source: AMOT-174 in DD-240 of 2 July 1963...Handwritten note: Coordinated C/PM [possibly] Zamka." - - - Page 3: "SOURCE:...This information was obtained from Dr. Marcos Rodriguez Menendez. 1. As of early July 1963, according to Dr. Marcus Rodriguez Menendez (handwritten: 201-315075), an attorney and executive member of the Movimiento Democrata Cristiano (MDC, Christian Democrat Movement), the MDC had made a unity pact with Comandos L, a Cuban exile organization lead by Antonio Cuesta del Valle (note : AMDENIM-14). According to the terms of the pact, the Comandos L were to contribute training and assistance in military intelligence and were to provide three naval units and one B-26 aircraft which the group already had in its possession. The MDC was to contribute three small boats and a team of men to be infiltrated into Cuba...4. Rodriguez said that the negotiations with the Movimiento de Recuperacion Revolucionaria (MRR, Movement for Revolutionary Recovery) had proved unsuccessful. Dr. Manuel Artime Buesa did not appear to be in favor of unity with the MDC..."

104-10192-10086: FIELD INFORMATION REPORT: SUBJECT - HOPE OF THE MOVIMIENTO DEMOCRATICA CRISTIANO (MDC) TO SEEK A BASE IN CENTRAL AMERICA

09/26/63, Report Cover Sheet from JMWAVE: "Source: AMOT-174 in DD-410 of 19 September 1963. Rodriguez thinks this is the opportune moment to try to corner the MDC military section and shortly the entire movement, because most of MDC executives are in favor of working in agreement with U.S. but know that Batista Falla is an almost insurmountable obstacle to this objective. Field comments QKMAGNET info." - - - Pages 3-4: "SOURCE:...This information was obtained from Dr. Marcos Rodriguez Menendez. 1. Dr. Marcos Rodriguez Menendez, an executive member of the Movimiento Democrata Cristiano (MDC, Christian Democrat Movement), said that as of 19 September 1963 Laureano Batista Falla (note: AMPALM-2), Carlos Perez Mena, and Victor Paneque, aka 'Comandante Diego', of the MDC were planning to leave for Puerto Rico in three or four days on a mission to obtain help to operate from some place near Cuba. They also wished to be able to use the AT-6 aircraft they have in Caracas for their raids against Cuba and for transporting the arms which they have in Venezuela...3. Rodriguez said there was great unrest among MDC members, which has been generated by the constant failures of Batista Falla in his military plans, and that for this reason certain MDC executives have had strong words with Batista Falla...5. During a conversation between Rodriguez and MDC president, Humberto Perez, Rodriguez asked Perez whether he believed it would be tactical to try to obtain U.S. assistance. Perez replied: 'In a large or smaller scale, this would accelerate the liberation of Cuba and therefore it is lawful and moral and would be accepted if it did not mean a 100 percent commitment - that is, leaving us some freedom of action. There would be no problem of any type then. But I am not in favor of chasing them as if were desperate, because that is not right either'..."

104-10193-10299: FIELD INFORMATION REPORT: RECRUITMENT FOR THE FORMATION OF A NEW BRIGADE BY THE (MRR)

10/04/63, Report Cover Sheet from JMWAVE: "Source: AMFAST-35 in AMOT report DD-337 of 10 August 1963. AMFAST-35 visited the recruiting office and observed the equipment. The field comment was based on AMOT-174 report DD-306 of 31 July. Ref., UFG-3783." - - - Page 4: ..."1. Field Comment: Another member of the same group of Cuban emigres trained in information collection reported in late July that Guillot's office was handling the recruitment of personnel to be sent to the training bases which were being established in Nicaragua. Guillot's secretary and assistant was Blanca Acosta, her maiden name being Blanca Montalvan Gonzalez-(Unintelligible). Persons in charge of the recruitment included Ricardo Chavez Suarez, Manuel Martinez Cardenas, Raul Granda Hernandez, Alfredo Dorges Caignot, Maximo Diaz Delgado, Manuel Villamanan Sangiao, and Pedro Blanco Fernandez. After the recruits are accepted, they are to be taken to New Orleans."

104-10309-10027: CABLE-IN 6 NOV 63 REPORT DD-482 SAID NDC EXECUTIVE MEMBER MARCOS (RODRIGUEZ) MEMENDEZ REPORTED ON 2 NOV MEETING HELD BY JOSE (CENAL) CUETO

11/16/63, Cable from JMWAVE to Director: "1. AMOT-174 in 6 Nov 63 report DD-482 said MDC executive member Marcos (Rodriguez) Menendez reported on 2 Nov meeting held by Jose (Cenal) Cueto, MDC Vice President, and attended by Laureano (Batista) Falla. Growing activities CIA re Cuba discussed. Batista Falla said he pessimistic at time of Bay of Pigs invasion, but now believes CIA one who will overthrow AMTHUG. 2. Batista Falla, after analysis MDC's military potential, concluded it almost nil since no ship could move out of Miami River without problems. Batista Falla added that MDC does not have sufficient resources move to Central America either. It was agreed at meeting to continue keep MDC members entertained so they will not learn truth...6. Meeting also touched on great concern of executive members re ODACID (U.S. State Department) tactics of aid to AMBANG-1 who enjoys no sympathies among Cubans and who has leftist tendencies. If AMBANG-1 were to appear in cabinet capacity in future freed Cuba, this would bring chaos and civil war among Cubans because situation would revert to point when Batista left and AMTHUG entered scene."

104-10192-10083: FIELD INFORMATION REPORT: SUBJECT- IDENTIFICATION OF THE MDC WITH THE WEST GERMAN CHRISTIAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY

01/29/64, Report Cover Sheet from JMWAVE: "Source: AMOT-174 in DD-595 of 15 January 1964. UFG-4526 was also based on this report." - - - Pages 3-4: "SOURCE:...This information was obtained from Dr. Marcos Rodriguez Menendez. 1. According to Dr. Marcos Rodriguez Menendez, an executive member of the Movimiento Democrata Cristiano (MDC, Christian Democrat Movement), the most significant development within the MDC at the present time is the organization's complete identification with the West German Christian Democratic Party. After the World Congress of Christian Democrats, which was held in Strassburg, France, in October 1963, two unidentified West German officials from the Foreign Relations Ministry and the Christian Democratic Party visited the MDC in Miami. As a result of the meeting, three types of scholarships were offered to members of the MDC...1. Field Comment: According to CSDB-3/657, 817 of 13 November 1963, Batista Falla, Rodriguez, and Rasco represented the MDC at the World Congress in Strassburg. Rodriguez was planning to visit Bonn in November and talk with Ludwig Erhard to determine the position of the MDC in a free Cuba."

104-10438-10137: DISPATCH: OPERATIONAL/MIGUEL CASAS SAEZ-CUBAN IN DALLAS, TEXAS

01/31/64, Dispatch from COS, JMWAVE to Chief, Special Affairs Staff: Page 2: ..."C. AMOT Report EE-774, dated 29 November 1963, Source AMOT-174, Sub-Source Jose Matias Blanco Hernandez, A 12 895 935. Blanco stated that Casas was a charcoal maker from Remedios, Las Villas Province and described him as white, about 5'5" tall, about 155 pounds, and about 26 to 28 years of age. Blanco stated that an unidentified friend of his received a letter from Cuba, dated 20 November 1963, which allegedly stated that Casas returned to Cuba and was seen in the town of Remedios on 18 November 1963. Blanco would not disclose the name of the friend who received this letter. He claims to have seen the letter and that the person who received the letter would not relinquish same for fear of reprisals against his parents who are in Cuba..."

104-10217-10366: CABLE: ALLEGED ARRIVAL OF ELOY GUTIERREZ MENOYO IN CUBA

06/11/64, Cable from JMWAVE to Director: "SUPDATA: AMOT-174 in DD-918 of 3 June 64, from Francisco Manuel Dominguez Maidagan..."

104-10180-10084 TRANSMITTAL SHEET AND INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION CABLE RE: PLANS OF SENE-MRP-ALPHA 66 ALLIANCE TO PUBLISH ARTICLE IN EL MAMBI CRITICIZING CIA REGARDING RAID OF 26 MAY 1964 ON CABO CRUZ SUGAR MILL

7/7/64 memo with AMOT-174 as the source. The memo states "this information was obtained from Francisco Dominguez Maidigan, member of the SFNE." States that SFNE member Nestor Aranguren Hedesa informed that newsletter "El Mambi" will attack the CIA "regarding the raid in May 1964 on the Cabo Cruz sugar mill in the Port of Pilon, Oriente province. The article will mention that the attack was carried out by the CIA with the intention of dealing a blow to Manuel Ray, leader of (JURE), and that the (MRR) had nothing to do with it."

104-10071-10240: FIELD INFORMATION REPORT: "DISAPPOINTMENT OF ROLANDO MASFERRER ROJAS AT POSSIBLE EXCLUSION FROM HAITIAN EXILE ACTIVITIES"

11/17/64, Cable from JMWAVE/Miami to Director: Slugline INTEL DYVOUR JMPALM PBRUMEN: "SUPDATA: AMOT-174 in EE-2194 dated 6 November 1964 from Raul Arango de la Noval (PLS protect). REF: UFG 6173 and UFG 6205..." Pages 3-4: "SOURCE AND APPRAISAL:..This information was obtained from a person who spoke with David Quintas Gonzalez. 1. On 6 November 1964, David Quintas Gonzalez, previously described as the Miami representative of Rolando Masferrer Rojas, said that he had been visited in Miami by Masferrer on the night of 5 November and that Masferrer was very upset because he thought the Haitian exiles wanted to exclude him from a combined effort to invade Haiti. 2. Quintas said that his (Quintas') trip to New York to discuss the shipment of arms to Miami had been cancelled because Masferrer came to Miami. According to Quintas, Masferrer wanted to ship the arms from New York to Miami by sea. 3. (Field Comment: It was previously reported by another source who is a trained reporter and who has been reliable in the past that the Haitian exiles had decided to exclude the participation of Cuban exiles, and particularly Masferrer, from their operations directed against Haiti. The same source also reported subsequently that the Haitian exiles believed that Masferrer might create problems for them as a result of his exclusion)..."

Contributors:
Gavin McDonald • Bill Simpich

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