Cryptonym: AMTHEME-1
A Report Cover Sheet from JMWAVE in February, 1965, stated that the source for paragraphs 1 and 2 was "AMCHEER-1 (Julio G. Garcia)...from Vicente Rodriguez Suarez (A 12 409 861), a newspaperman and acquaintance of Alpizar. Rodriguez is a AMOT (network of Cubans trained by David Morales during 1960-61 to be a new Cuban intelligence service once Castro had been ousted) collaborator."
A FBI memo in April of 1965 mentioned that MM T-1 was Vicente Rodriguez Suarez, "identity concealed by request, former newspaper man with Cuban paper REVOLUCION, who has worked with Dr. Conte at Miami." Vicente Rodriguez appeared to have access to a considerable amount of information on Luis Conte Aguero. The FBI rated Rodriguez with the following: "MM T-1 has not been sufficiently contacted to determine reliability."
A memo in September, 1965, from J. Walter Yeagley, Assistant Attorney General, mentioned "that on October 7, 1963, Vicente Rodriguez Suarez, Secretary to Dr. Conte, stated that it was the eventual intention of the Sentinels of Liberty to be able to send money to groups in Cuba who are engaged in underground activity against the Castro regime."
Therefore, Vicente Rodriguez Suarez had been secretary to Luis Conte Aguero, was a AMOT collaborator in early 1965, had past links to the Cuban media, and was an FBI informant in April, 1965. In his role as an informant for the FBI, Rodriguez advised the Bureau on Conte Aguero in not insignificant detail. Taking these things together, it is possible that Vicente Rodriguez Suarez was AMTHEME-1 in June, 1966.
02/18/65: Report Cover Sheet from JMWAVE: Reporting Officer: Henry J. Sloman (probably Tony Sforza). Reports Officer: Margaret R. Nankall. Approving Officer: Andrew K. Reuteman (Theodore Shackley): "TYPIC: Source: Paras. 1 and 2: AMCHEER-1 (Julio G. Garcia) in AMOT DD-1260, dated 29 January 1965, from Vicente Rodriguez Suarez (A 12 409 861), a newspaperman and acquaintance of Alpizar. Rodriguez is a AMOT (network of Cubans trained by David Morales during 1960-61 to be a new Cuban intelligence service once Castro had been ousted) collaborator. Field Comment No. 1 was based on UFG-6636. Paras. 3-5: AMOT-173 in DD-1245 and DD-1247, dated 19 January 1965, from Erlinda Puig Nunez and Marcelino Garcia Jimenez. AMRAZZ-1 (Joaquin Godoy y Solis) reported on 25 January 1965 that it had been rumored in exile circles that KUBARK (CIA) 'gave Bosch the green light' for the 17 January aerial attack, but that there was no hard evidence to corroborate this."
04/07/65: FBI memo from SAC, Miami to Director, FBI: Subject: SENTINELS OF LIBERTY; Dr. LUIS CONTE AGUERO - LEADER: IS - CUBA: "Reference Miami letter and LHM to Bureau 10/28/63. MM T-1 is Vicente Rodriguez Suarez, identity concealed by request, former newspaper man with Cuban paper REVOLUCION, who has worked with Dr. Conte at Miami. Rodriguez lives at 1424 N.W. 35th Street, Miami. In interview of Rodriguez Suarez, he pointed out that the $3,000 monthly salary of Dr. Conte originates from CIA. A copy of LHM is being disseminated locally to CIA and State Department Coordinator of Cuban Affairs. In referenced letter it was pointed out that CIA Covert representative at Miami, Mr. Joseph Vidal, as of October, 1963, had advised that the United States government had an operational interest in Dr. Conte. In view of CIA interest, the LHM is classified CONFIDENTIAL. No further investigation in this matter is contemplated by Miami at this time."
04/07/65: FBI report from Miami: Titled: SENTINELS OF LIBERTY; Dr. Luis Conte Aguero - Leader: INTERNAL SECURITY - CUBA: "On March 31, 1965, MM T-1, a Cuban exile at Miami, Florida, who has frequent contact with Dr. Luis Conte Aguero, head of the organization known as Centinelas de la Libertad (Sentinels of Liberty), advised that Dr. Conte recently closed the office he had maintained at 17th Avenue and West Flagler Street, Miami, and moved his operation into his home at 4365 S.W. 2nd Street, Miami. MM T-1 advised that the United Press International teletype which had been kept in the former office at 17th Avenue and West Flagler, has also been moved into Dr. Conte's home...According to MM T-1, Dr. Conte chose to close the office of his organization in order to reduce expenses...MM T-1 stated that a probable reason for the high alimony awarded Dr. Conte's second wife is the fact that he receives a salary of $3,000 a month for his work in programming the anti-Castro talks which are broadcast over WRUL...MM T-1 advised that as of January, 1965, Dr. Conte began publication of a monthly paper entitled CENTINELA DE LA LIBERTAD, and the three issues which have thus far appeared, contain numerous photos of Cubans, apparently engaged in military training. MM T-1 advised that these photos were all taken in South Florida, and their use in the newspaper CENTINELA is designed to establish the impression among Cubans that Dr. Conte's organization is not merely a propaganda machine, but is also capable of anti-Castro military action..." - - - Page 6: ..."MM T-1 has not been sufficiently contacted to determine reliability."
09/21/65: Memorandum from J. Walter Yeagley, Assistant Attorney General, Internal Security Division to Director, FBI: Subject: SENTINELS OF LIBERTY; Dr. Luis Conte Aguero - LEADER: INTERNAL SECURITY - CUBA: "Reference is made to the memoranda from your Bureau dated April 7, 1965, at Miami, Florida, and October 28, 1963, concerning the subjects. It is noted that on October 7, 1963, Vicente Rodriguez Suarez, Secretary to Dr. Conte, stated that it was the eventual intention of the Sentinels of Liberty to be able to send money to groups in Cuba who are engaged in underground activity against the Castro regime..."
06/23/66: Cable from JMWAVE to Director: Slugline DYVOUR PBRUMEN AMCORE: "According to AMCORE-2 (Luis Conte Aguero), Vice President elect Augusto Lora told AMTHEME-1 on 19 June that it would be an honor for Dominican Government invite AMCORE-2 attend inauguration ceremonies. However AMCORE-2 has heard nothing from Lora and at this late date doubts will receive invitation without discreet boost from Santo Domingo station. Please advise."