Cryptonym: AMWORLD-2
A FBI memo in October of 1964 indicated that Sixto Mesa was the President of Maritime Bam, S.A., Miami. The vessel, the Joanne, had been chartered for the past year by Maritime Bam. https://www.maryferrell.org/showDoc.html?docId=93118#relPageId=3&search=
Mesa was the money guy. He ran all the Swiss bank accounts. 124-10222-10149, p. 4. A FBI memo in July, 1963, stated that Sixto Mesa was the former owner of an oil refinery in Cuba. https://www.maryferrell.org/showDoc.html?docId=84467#relPageId=7
David Boylan's research indicates that Mesa was a go-between to Allegret, Somoza's aide-de-camp. See, e.g., 157-10014-10242, p. 149
180-10142-10307: Mesa is "El Puertorriqueno". 104-10240-10314: Mesa is "El Portorriqueno" 104-10240-10323: Mesa is "El Portorriqueno"
104-10308-10081: AMWORLD- -SHOWDOWN MEETING BETWEEN AMBIDDY-1 AND ERACERB-1, WEEK OF 29 JULY 1963
At this 7/29/63 "showdown" meeting between Artime and Somoza (AMBIDDY-1 and ERACERB-1), "(Artime) told (Somoza) that AMWORLD-2 had called to say that ERLOOP-1 had created a mess in Miami, drawing up lists of candidates, recruits and other things. (Artime) told (Somoza) that it was his impression that ERLOOP was recruiting on his own. This plan, (Artime) pointed out, will not work because his camps were going to be small camps. (Somoza) could imagine 10 thousand Cubans who want to fight. Where will we keep them? Who is going to give the money to take care of these 10 thousand Cubans..."
11/21/63 cable WAVE 8002 from JMWAVE to Director: Cesar Baro/AMYUM-19 told AMWORLD-2 to contact QKMAGNET (a consortium of Customs, INS, and the Coast Guard that permitted certain raids on Cuba - probably the "autonomous groups" of Artime and Ray) in order to conduct a sea rescue.
180-10073-10072: INTERVIEW REPORT WILLIAM TURNER DECEMBER 22-24, 1977
1963: Author (William Turner) states that it was RFK who raised the last $1 million to get (Manuel Artime) released from El Modelo prison - a Castro prisoner. Artime vacations with the Kennedys in New Hampshire and returns to Miami with a special portfolio from RFK to draw funds from the CIA at a rate of $1500 a month to revive the MRR. The figure soon grows to $250,000 a month and, between 1963 and 1966, totalled $9 million. Second Naval Guerrilla was to be launched from Central America. Artime approached Luis Somoza, Nicaraguan (president), and he agreed - met with Carlos Prio and Artime in July 1963. Somoza solicits help of President Francisco J. Orlich, Costa Rica. Two MRR jungle camps set up on lands belonging to Colonel Vico Starki Jiminez - friend of Orlich's brother. Recruitment high in Miami office. CIA money flowed into operation. MRR purchasing agents were Sixto R. Mesa, exile business man and William K. King, former oil man in Havana. They employed Bernard Barker/AMCLATTER-1 as a courier. Bought only the best in equipment, much of it German made. MRR project targeted on Cuban shipping and shore installations - given code name Second Naval Guerrilla. CIA provided funding, logistical support, intelligence data and guidance. Each operation of Artime's had to get CIA guidance. MRR 'navy' led by two attack cargo vessels...Ships flew Liberian flag and carried an assortment of flags that could be hoisted at situation dictated. CIA lent Tejana III to the MRR. Also a number of smaller boats. Central American bases ready by November. First contingent of commandos trained at CIA facilities in Virginia and North Carolina sailed from Norfolk. At peak of buildup, 300 men under arms at the bases. Pepe San Roman in charge. MRR volunteers exempted from usual immigration rules regarding travel outside of US."
Commission Document 770 - FBI O'Connor Report of 30 Mar 1964 re: Oswald/Cuba
Circa 11/29/63: Dr. Fernando Penabaz said Miguel de Leon/AMWORM-1 told him a story about how "Quintin Pino had crossed into Texas from Mexico for the purpose of rescuing Oswald after the assassination, but that the plot failed because Oswald was not wearing clothing of the prearranged color, whereby he would be readily recognized by Pino, and also, since Oswald became involved in the shooting of Dallas Patrolman Tippit, Oswald failed to reach the rendezvous at the time Pino would pick him up." Penabaz described de Leon as a "former Cuban Congressman with contacts throughout Latin America. He said that "according to de Leon, Pino was a strongman in the diplomatic service of Fidel Castro, and had been sent by Castro to Nicaragua as of 1959 to organize anti-government guerrillas there." Penabaz added that as he never received any corroboration of de Leon's story, he did not write about it nor report it to any authorities. At page 9, Miguel de Leon Rojas of 17 Marjorca, Coral Gables, Florida affirmed that he was the source of the Pino story, and that he had heard it from "someone" while visiting the home of Sixto Mesa about a week after 11/22/63. He said that from his various contacts, "he was aware that Quintin Pino had served on a Cuban assignment in Mexico to investigate activities directed against the Castro regime." At p. 10, Sixto Mesa of 285 Shore Drive, Bay Heights, Miami, said that Adolfo Vilasuso was the source of the Pino story. At p. 11, Dr. Adolfo Vilasuso of 8620 Southwest 21st St., Miami said that he heared it as a rumor. These are contained in FBI reports dated 3/25/64.
104-10076-10174: JMWAVE CABLE - NOT POSSIBLE TO CARRY BARGE ABOARD SHIP
12/7/63 cable WAVE 8665 from JMWAVE to Director: Cesar Baro/AMYUM-19 said AMWORLD-2 told him it was not possible to carry barge on board ship - it would have to be towed.
03/12/64: Memo for the record from Raul J. Hernandez: Page 3: ..."6. A-1 is not satisfied with the developments in Nicaragua and with Iglesias in particular. A-1 implied that the main problem may be the funding mechanism in Nicaragua and misuse of AMWORLD funds. A-1 is sending AMWORLD-2, who is a public accountant, to review the financial situation there...8. A-1 expects to meet with the DMJM people, who are now in Miami, along with AMWORLD-2 and AMJAVA-4 (Rafael Quintero)...10. A-1 was reminded that we still have not received AMWORLD-2's report regarding his interview with Eusebio Mujal." - - - Page 4: ..."File: AMBIDDY-1 201, Conversations, MCRL, Costa Rica, V. Starke 201 (does not appear to have been mentioned in memorandum), R. Cabezas 201." Also see 104-10163-10041, 03/14/64: Memo for the record from Raul J. Hernandez: DATE: 13 March 1964, 1800 hours. Page 2: ..."10. AMJAVA-4 (Rafael Quintero), AMWORLD-2 and 'the Mexican' will leave together for Nicaragua on 16 March..."
104-10163-10041: MEMO: TELEPHONE CONVERSATION WITH AMBIDDY-1 AND RAUL HERNANDEZ (AS MARTIN FERRER)
03/16/64: Memo for the record from Raul J. Hernandez: ..."5. AMJAVA-4 (Rafael Quintero,), Manuel Gomez, AMWORLD-2 and Mole left today for Nicaragua. From there all but AMWORLD-2 will proceed to Costa Rica to locate a suitable site to relocate the arms barge..."
104-10163-10041: ARTIME BUESA, MANUAL (VOL XII).
6/15/64: Dispatch from Chief, JMWAVE to Deputy Chief, WH/SA: Batista's mistress received payments from Batista for a number of years - the payments were made through Orlando Piedra Negueruela. "AMBIDDY-1 (Manuel Artime Buesa) has had various meetings with Orlando Piedra Neguerela. Quite some time ago (source doesn't remember exact date) AMWORLD-2 raised $10,000 for AMBIDDY-1 among 'batistianos'. AMWORLD-2 and Orlando Piedra owned a gasoline firm called 'Reca', and at present AMWORLD-2 is still on very good terms with Piedra Negueruela."
10/29/64: Memo from Director, FBI to SAC, San Juan: Titled: Movimiento Revolucionario Recuperacion (MRR) IS - Cuba; RA - Cuba: "For your information the Washington Capital News Service on 10/21/64 reported the following item: New York - a ship flying the Liberian flag has been seized by Dutch authorities at the Caribbean island of Curacao on suspicion of being an armed raider, it was learned today. The ship was identified as the Joanne, of 596 gross tonage. It was towed into Curacao September 23 for repairs of unspecified damage, maritime sources said. The Cuban crew - presumably anti-Castro exiles - abandoned the ship in port and disappeared...Ownership of the Joanne was traced to a Liberian shipping firm, Kuestenvarsand, A. G., represented in the United States by the Bruan Shipping Corp., of (925 Charles St.) Baltimore, MD. The Bruan firm has been in business for the past 12 years. Bruan's General Manager, Lester Anderson, told UPI the ship had been chartered for the past year by 'Maritime Bam, S.A.,' of (Cocoanut Grove Bank Bldg.), Miami, Florida. Anderson said that Bam's President was a Cuban, Sixto Mesa, of Coral Gables, Florida. Mesa, who has been identified as a close friend of Manuel Artime, head of the exile Revolutionary Recovery Movement (MRR), told UPI he 'knew nothing' of any 'military' use of the Joanne..."
104-10163-10173: ARTIME BUESA, MANUEL (VOL XIII).
9/29/65: Dispatch from Chief of Station, JMWAVE to Chief, WH: AMOT-246 learned from AMWORLD-2 "that AMWORLD aid would cease by the beginning of October. AMBIDDY-1 (Manuel Artime Buesa) also informed (Edgar Sopo Barreto) that he should inform the persons who take part in the radio program that the program will not be broadcast after 1 October, and therefore, their employment and salaries will cease. This will affect (Edgar Sopo Barreto), AMRAZOR-1 (probably Norman Diaz), (Martha Elena Rodriguez) and AMOT-246..." "5. AMBIDDY-1 is thinking of selling a barge for the sum of $20,000 and the rest of the equipment in storage in Miami for the sum of $19,000. With this, AMBIDDY-1 hopes to pay off all his debts, plus the salaries of the personnel. AMBIDDY-1 told AMWORLD-2 that he has only $18,000 in the bank. AMWORLD-2, however, believes this is not true and that AMBIDDY-1 has more money than he claims."
104-10163-10123: CIA DOCUMENTS ON MANUEL ARTIME.
06/15/66: Cable: Pages 2-3: ..."4. No identifiable traces FNU Hill. Station has a 201 file William Kenneth (King) Godfrey (201-742345) who may be identifiable with FNU Hill. Pertinent info King follows: A. DPOB 1 March 19, Arlington Texas. B. Current local residence 3036 N Fourth Terrace Miami. C. UFGA 13254, 31 December 63 lists King as business associate AMWORLD/2. D. WAVE 8334, 7 February 65 reports two AMWORLD vessels seeking refuge Swan Island following attack against south coast of Cuba. Crew members requested Swan Island personnel contact Mr. William King Miami phone number NE 5-3029 who would guarantee payment for fuel, water and food. Local 66 directory lists a William H. King with address and phone number noted above)..."
104-10163-10130: CIA FILE ON MANUEL ARTIME BUESA.
1973 memo from C/WH/COG to Assistant General Counsel John D. Morrison: "...Sixto R. Mesa-Aloma (201-0727405, AMWORLD-2); DPOB 20 May 1908, Ranchuelo, Las Villas, Cuba; Wife - Iraida Gonzalez; Mistress: Blanca Acosta; CIA affiliation: MRR Operations; Occupation: 1963, Treasurer and major stockholder in Laboratorios Gravi de Puerto Rico de Industrias Proben de Puerto Rico...The two individuals who had access to funds belonging to this Agency, and who would have had the opportunity of diverting these funds to their personal accounts, were Manuel Artime and Sixto Mesa. There had been allegations that Agency monies were misused and appropriate investigations were conducted but no evidence was found that this had happened."