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Cryptonym: AMWARM-1

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Definition:
An on-island asset that investigated whether Castro played any role in the JFK assassination as well as any plots to assassinate Castro. A civilian aviation expert who is affiliated with the Ministry of Transportation and who has been trained for intelligence work.
Status:
Unknown
Discussion:
A possible candidate to be AMWARM-1 was Victor Pina Cardoso. A dispatch in January of 1964 stated that "(Jose Alberto) Semidey (Isalgue) has a close friendship with Victor Pina Cardoso, the Director of Civil Aviation and is reportedly close to Raul Castro for whom he is a frequent personal pilot." Semidey was probably AMTRUNK-19.
Sources:

104-10227-10153: MEMORANDUM: REPORT ON CUBAN OPERATIONS FOR PERIOD 1-15 SEPTEMBER 61

9/26/61, Memorandum for Deputy Director (Plans): "AMOT-34, the principal agent/WT operator, using signal plan OGAKIK, returned to Cuba via legal means on 6 September and was once more in radio communication with us as of 10 September. He is in contact with AMWARM-1, the principal agent of what remains of our intelligence net in Cuba."

104-10215-10384: CABLE: COMMO TRAINING AMWARM 1 COMPLETED 9 OCT

10/10/63 cable from Madrid to Director: "Commo training AMWARM-1 completed 9 October. Gussow arriving Paris 11 Oct 63, 1335, at Flight 516. View Gussow carrying classified documents and clandestine commo equipment, request escort through Customs. Also, please arrange hotel reservation. (Chief of Station comment: Gussow, now completing training (of) another agent (in) Madrid, should stand by for AMLASH training (in) Paris (not Rome.))"

104-10308-10090: DEC 1 SIERRA WHISKEY FOUR FIVE. ROGER FOUR

12/1/63 message, SW #45, from AMWARM-1, referring to "Delta Charlie" which looks like a reference to "DC": "...have left for end my deep felt condolences untimely passing Pres. Kennedy. Sincerely affected like most Cubans and entertain suspicion Castro not entirely out of planning if Moscow had anything to do with it, although probability discussed it might have been one of his unpredictable moments which is definitely backfiring. It might be that even in death stately Kennedy will tower over situation forcing (decisive definition?) many wobbling governments reluctant to come to."

104-10076-10148: JMWAVE CABLE - NOT POSSIBLE FOR CASE OFFICER TO GO TO MIAMI.

12/07/63, Cable from JMWAVE to Director: Slugline RYBAT TYPIC GEKFOR AMWEE COMMO: ..."2. FY AMWEE-1 arrived Mexico 6 Dec and notified us he proceeding Miami via New Orleans same day. Visa problem will be taken care of at this end. In response to Ref B AMWEE-1 signalled night 5 Dec that he successful dead dropping AMWARM W/T gear..."

104-10076-10188: JMWAVE CABLE - POSSIBLE SABOTAGE OF CUBANA AVIATION AIRCRAFT

12/8/63 report from a civilian aviation expert who is affiliated with the Ministry of Transportation and who has been trained for intelligence work...reporting on various acts of subtle sabotage committed against Cubana Airlines.

104-10308-10078: REPORT ON DEVELOPMENT OF AN INCOMING SW MESSAGE

12/9/63, receipt on the development of SW #45, from AMWARM-1 to WAVE-FI Hobart J. Vandeborn, one page typed SW (secret writing) on back of typed open letter.

104-10216-10148: DISPATCH: TRANSMITTAL OF OPERATIONAL PLAN FOR AMTRUNK VII

01/22/64: Dispatch from COS, JMWAVE to Chief, Special Affairs Staff: "F. AMTRUNK-13 will attempt the recruitment of Jose Alberto Semidey Isalgue, a close friend of AMTRUNK-13's for 18 years and a first cousin of AMICE-14. The following is a short biographical sketch of SEMIDEY: Age 37-38 years old. Born in (REDACTION), the son of (REDACTION) of the National Army and veteran of the Spanish-American War. Semidey studied for one year at (REDACTION) University, (REDACTION). He and AMTRUNK-13 graduated from the second class of (REDACTION) in 1942. Semidey flew for (REDACTION) and (REDACTION) for about 11 years before he became (REDACTION) for the latter company after the Revolution. After (REDACTION) was absorbed into Cubana, Semidey held various positions of importance in Cubana. He also holds the rank of Captain in the Rebel Air Force and reportedly has made reconnaissance flights and black flights carrying arms and/or agents to and from other Latin American countries. Semidey has a close friendship with Victor Pina Cardoso, the Director of Civil Aviation and is reportedly close to Raul Castro for whom he is a frequent personal pilot. Because of the close former friendship between AMTRUNK-13 and Semidey and because of reports from AMICE-14's family which indicates that Semidey has become disenchanted with the Castro regime, both AMTRUNK-13 and AMICE-14 consider Semidey a prime candidate for recruitment." - - - 2022 release, page 4: https://documents2.theblackvault.com/documents/jfkfiles/jfk2022/104-10216-10148.pdf

104-10308-10089: MEMO: AMWARM OPERATION

April 1964 - Outgoing message to Cuba: "Requesting information agent picked up on plots against Fidel and others, and who are behind plots."

104-10234-10382: CABLE: SITREP 12 FEB 65, INTELLIGENCE HIGHLIGHTS

02/12/65, Cable from WAVE to Director: "I. Intelligence Highlights...B. WAVE Intel: UFG 6691 (Cable) AMWARM-1 reports purchase Britannia jet aircraft by Czech Airlines..."

104-10234-10377: CABLE: RECOMMEND NO SPECIFIC MENTION BE MADE IN REF PLAY TO COMMANDANTES SINCE MAY LEAD CHECK ALL COMMANTES INCLUDING AMLASH/1

02/17/65, Cable from Director to JMWAVE (Orig: W. T. Cini, Unit: WH/SA/MOB): Slugline RYBAT TYPIC AMWARM: "1. Recommend no specific mention be made in ref play to Commandantes since may lead check up all Commandantes including AMLASH/1 and confederates. FYI: AMLASH/1 scheduled return Cuba 23 Feb."

Contributors:
Bill Simpich • Gavin McDonald

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