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Cryptonym: AMSPRAG

Definition:

The AMSPRAG operation was scheduled at around the same time as Operation TILT in June of 1963. A cable on June 5, 1963, on TILT, stated that the vessel "Leda proceeds on Operation AMSPRAG." AMSPRAG was also a team.

Status:

Documented

Discussion:

Another cable on the same day mentioned that AMHINT-49 was the radio operator for the AMSPRAG team. The Cuban Counterrevolutionary Handbook entry for the DRE in 1964 stated that "in June 1963, DRE mounted an exfiltration operation which was successful in removing three persons from Cuba." Given that AMHINT-49 was the radio operator for the AMSPRAG team at this time, it is possible that the AMSPRAG operation was the one referred to above.

A dispatch on Operation TILT in March, 1964, stated in relation to Andres Venegas (AMOT-28), that a AMSPRAG memo on May 3, 1962, recommended Venegas for infiltration into the region of Montanosa, Oriente Province. In addition, a damage report on AMSTALK-1 (Miguel Angel Diaz Isalgue) in March, 1968, stated that AMSPRAG-1 was one of the indigenous agent personnel who had been exposed by alias to the former.

Sources:

104-10312-10365: CABLE: FOR TODHUNTER AND DAINOLD

06/05/63: Cable from JMWAVE to Director Info: KOLA (Orig: Maritime/Laurenkus - Rewritten by COS/Reuteman): Slugline RYBAT TYPIC YOBITE TILT: REF WAVE 9342: FOR TODHUNTER AND DAINOLD (Note: Todhunter was the pseudonym for Marshall Carter, then Deputy Director of CIA. Dainold was the pseudonym for Desmond FitzGerald, then Chief, Special Affairs Staff): "...I. Flying Tiger estimate ETA Miami 111700Z. Leda proceeds on Operation AMSPRAG..."

104-10312-10366: CABLE: FOLL ASSIGNED MV/LEDA FOR OPERATIONS TILT, AMSPRAG, AND CHALICE-3

06/05/63: Cable from JMWAVE to KOLA (Orig: M. Tarters): Slugline OOLONG ZRPERUSAL PBRUMEN TILT AMSPRAG CHALICE-3: "FOLL assigned MV/Leda for Operations TILT, AMSPRAG, and CHALICE-3: A. Signal plans FLOATER/199 (5101) and AJIROP-75. B. Crypto: Base Encode K/8398. Decode K/8397. ZIMAHI edition No. 60. C. AMHINT/49, radop for AMSPRAG team, issued BYKUXE sigplan TETNIT." Authenticating Officer: Norman L. Melnecke. Releasing Officer: John F. Sunderland.

104-10312-10176: DISPATCH: STATUS REPORT ON OPERATION TILT

03/02/64: Dispatch from COS, JMWAVE to Chief, Special Affairs Staff: Page 3: ..."(c). Andres Venegas, JMWAVE Personality File, A 12 143 273, DPOB: 25 December 1923, Caimanera, Cuba; Address: 776 NW 3rd Street, Miami; Occupation: Mechanic, operator of trailers, tractors. Subject was a stowaway on SS TRANSCARIBBEAN from YOACRE (Guantanamo Naval Base) to Charleston, South Carolina; supplied information regarding Communists working at YOACRE. AMSPRAG Memorandum, 3 May 1962 recommended Subject for infiltration into region of Montanosa of Oriente Province. Both of the above traces were found under the name Andres Eugenio Venegas Garcia)..."

1993.08.05.10:41:34:710005: HSCA MATERIAL REVIEWED AT HEADQUARTERS -- CUBAN COUNTERREVOLUTIONARY H

05/01/64: CR Handbook - Part II: DRE: Page 7: ..."15. In March 1963, four DRE leaders were served with notice of prevention of departure from Dade County by U.S. authorities. A 'DRE Declaration' was issued in April 1963 reiterating that raids would continue against Cuba despite U.S. restrictions. One such raid was attempted on the 27th of April, but was frustrated by rough waters encountered 30 miles off the Cuban coast. In June 1963, DRE mounted an exfiltration operation which was successful in removing three persons from Cuba. In July 1963 DRE began a daily training school for radio operators at DRE headquarters with Abraham Arber Dewis as instructor..."

104-10225-10009: CIA FILE ON ( )SHELL-5.

03/08/68: AMSTALK-1 Damage Report: ..."Indigenous Agent Personnel Exposed...AMSPRAG-1 by alias..."