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Cryptonym: AMWREN-1

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Definition:
Unknown identity. A memo in September 1961 from the Chief, Western Hemisphere Division, J.C. King, stated that AMWREN-1 was the "principal agent" of what remained of the CIA's intelligence net in Cuba.
Status:
Unknown
Discussion:
AMWREN-1 was the source for JMWAVE traces on Gregorio San Pedro Bello. It indicated that AMWREN-1 reported from Havana in April of 1961, which would mean he was in the capital of Cuba at the same time as AMRYE-1 (Tony Sforza) and AMIRE-1 (Emilio Americo Rodriguez). Moreover, a CIA document on AMIRE-1 in March 1962, listed AMWREN-1 as being among the agents/assets who knew the former. In addition, a cable on November 28, 1963, described AMWREN-1 as being "a professional linguist with a wide variety of contacts and over three years of experience in intelligence work."
Sources:

104-10163-10140: AZCUE, EUSEBIO.

Re April 1961: CIA document on Eusebio Azcue: Page 8: UFGA-21693/14: Att. No. 12 to UFGA-21693: Subject: Bello San Pedro, Gregorio..."3. JMWAVE Traces: Gregorio Bello was the 26th July Movement leader, delegation No. 11 of Santos Suarez, Estrada Palma, and Sola Streets, Havana (AMWREN/1, 6 April 1961)."

104-10227-10153: MEMORANDUM: SUBJECT - REPORT ON CUBAN OPERATIONS FOR PERIOD 1-13 SEPTEMBER 61

09/26/61: Memo from Chief, Western Hemisphere Division to Deputy Director (Plans): Page 2: ..."f. AMOT-34 (probably George Nobregas), the principal agent/WT operator, using signal plan OCAKIK, returned to Cuba via legal means on 6 September and was once again in radio communication with us as of 10 September. He is in contact with AMWREN-1, the principal agent of what remains of our intelligence net in Cuba..."

104-10506-10028: MEMO: LATIN AMERICA DIVISION TASK FORCE REPORT OF POSSIBLE CUBAN COMPLICITY IN THE JOHN F. KENNEDY ASSASSINATION

Re February 1962: ..."AMWREN Operation 19-6-51/1-4: AMWREN-1 Report dated 5 February 1962 19-6-51/4: Report that during a speech on 4 February 1962 Fidel stopped reading the text prepared by the Communist Party and, on his own, referred to Kennedy as 'impudent.' He tried to separate himself from the text and continue on his own, but was brought back in line by Carols Rafael Rodriguez and Anibal Escalante. On 1 February 1962 AMTURVY-1 (Arturo Maria Jesus Varona Alonso) reported that Rolando Cubela and other prominent government figures were under arrest in La Cabana Fortress and were kept separated from the other prisoners..." A 06/30/77 CIA memo: Pages 124-125.

104-10180-10229: INFORMATION ON CONTRACT AGENT EMPLOYED WITHIN THE JMWAVE STATION AS A KUTUBE CASE OFFICER.

03/15/62: CIA document on AMIRE-1: Page 4: ..."d. Knowledge of other operations and agents, including personal friendships: Handwritten: Knows (cross over/deleted: Handled) AMFOX-1 (probably Juan Falcon Tamar), AMPAN-1 (presumed dead), AMRYE-1 (Tony Sforza), AMCONCERT-1 (Francisco Wilfredo Varona Alonso), AMPARCH-1 (Warren E. Frank), AMWREN-1, AMSTOW-1, AMTURVY-1 (Arturo Maria Jesus Varona Alonso), AMFIN-1/or AMPIN/1 (?), AMSUNG-1 (?), AMCAPON-4, AMSLUR-1, AMCOOP-1 (Miguel Xiques Macias). Has trained several agents under an alias in the WAVE area..."

104-10226-10123: DISPATCH: JMWAVE ASSET REPORTS - CACHES

04/04/62: Dispatch from COS, JMWAVE to Chief, Task Force W: "1. The following is all of the information available at JMWAVE concerning cached radio sets in Cuba: a. AMCONCERT-1 (Francisco Wilfredo Varona Alonso) cached a radio believed to be an RS-1, on the farm of Pablo Yabre near the town of Colon, Province of Matanzas. AMCONCERT-1 told his brother AMTURVY-1 (Arturo Maria Jesus Varona Alonso), who also knows Yabre, of the existence of this cache. AMTURVY-1 has been notified through AMWREN-1 to contact and deliver the radio to AMGLEN-9 (probably Emilio Cardenas Pinera). AMGLEN-9, inactive W/T operator, is being contacted through AMRIPE-1 via SW..."

104-10070-10079: DISPATCH: OPERATIONAL/GYROSE-REVIEW AND ANALYSIS OF AMFAUNA OPERATION

07/23/62: Dispatch from COS, JMWAVE to Chief, Task Force W: Page 14: "61. As a first step toward speeding up communications, it is planned to find another accommodation address in the JMWAVE area for AMFAUNA-1's (David Cabeza Coupau) use which can be expected to function without the delays that have been experienced recently. Because of the importance and urgency of some of AMFAUNA-1's intelligence reports, consideration is also being given to assigning a radio operator to him, probably AMGLEN-9 (probably Emilio Cardenas Pinera) who is awaiting only his signal plan to become active and who will probably not be needed in the AMWREN net as originally planned..."

104-10075-10075: JMWAVE CABLE LETTER AND TWO POUCHES CONTAINING REPORT ON CONTACT STATUS

11/26/63: Cable from JMWAVE to Director: Slugline TYPIC AMWREN: "1. In SW 41 dated 21 Oct 63 received WAVE 5 Nov 63 being forwarded Ref B AMWREN-1 reported has received all OWVL broadcasts and had forwarded letter and two pouches to AMBLEAK-5 which include intel and report on status his contacts. 2. As HQs aware, AMBLEAK-5 had been placed in contact AMWEE-4 for purpose utilizing AMWEE-4 pouch facilities transmit material to us. At present we lack pouch facilities for use by AMBLEAK-5, but hope use AMBLEAK-5 to bring out AMWREN material which AMBLEAK-5 now has. 3. Certain agents who formerly members AMWREN net now being managed directly on productive basis (AMTURVYS and AMFOX-1). Agree production those agents still in contact AMWREN-1 has been disappointing, but this in large part due AMWREN-1 known caution and reluctance use SW commo. For this reason, while op being handled in Havana, CO at time objected to HQs decision make AMWREN-1 PA for net. 4. Basis his SW msg 41, AMWREN-1 now appears be more active and responsive our direction than any time recent months. Therefore see no need implement guidance suggested para 4 Ref A. As indicated from number WAVE KUTUBE (Foreign Intelligence - FI division of CIA) agents who dropped in recent months, completely agree with HQs that unproductive or inactive agents should not be retained. AMWREN-1 does not appear fall in this category. C/S Comment: *HQs desires WAVE advise AMWREN/1 that unless RQMTS (as stated) satisfied by Jan '64 services his net no longer required."

104-10075-10246: JMWAVE CABLE RE DIVISION BETWEEN FIDEL CASTRO RUZ AND OLD GUARD COMMUNISTS

11/28/63: Cable from JMWAVE to Director: "SUPDATA: AMWREN-1 in SW 42 dated 11 November 1963...COUNTRY: CUBA...DOI: 8 Nov 63...SOURCE: A professional linguist with a wide variety of contacts and over three years of experience in intelligence work. Source's reporting has been of marginal value." - - - Pages 3-4: Information Report Telegram: "1. Enrique de la Osa, Director of La Bohemia..., believes that a division exists between Fidel (Castro) Ruz and his followers on the one hand and the old guard of the Cuban Communist Party on the other. Juan (Marinello) y Yidaurreta was the first old guard Communist leader to fall. The Fidelistas are now turning on Blas Roca (Field Comment: Juan Marinello has given up his position as Rector of Habana University and has been designated Cuban Ambassador to UNESCO in Paris). 2. On about 8 November 1963, Emilio (Aragones) Navarro apparently took over Blas Roca's functions in the Partido Unido de la Revolucion Socialista (PURS, United Party of the Socialist Revolution). 3. Regino (Boti) Leon, Minister of National Economy, in a meeting with Jose (Llanusa) Gobel, Director of Instituto Nacional de Deportes, Education Fisica y Recreacion (INDER, National Institute for Sports, Physical Education, and Recreation) and Armando Rivas, Director of the Instituto Nacional de la Industria Turistica (INIT, National Institute for Tourist Industry) stated that the Communists were making all the wrong moves..."

104-10075-10269: JMWAVE CABLE FOLL WILL BE SENT. BEGIN

11/29/63: Cable from JMWAVE to Director: Slugline RYBAT TYPIC AMWREN-1 COMMO TOCAN: ..."2. For DIR only: 7. Received your telegram. Also SW nr. 42. Contents of SW were good as well as clear. Continue reporting like that. Advise soon of the results of your last meeting with AMBLEAK-5. Still need more reports from the Yugoslav Embassy. Send also soon reports about rumors here that Chinese troops have arrived recently in Cuba. Do not send AMSINCE-1 to see AMLABOR-1 Nov/ or now. PLS send soon the address requested and advise if someone in the net knows a radio-telegrapher."

104-10075-10317: JMWAVE CABLE RE CHINESE VISITORS TO CUBAN-VENEZUELAN INSTITUTE AND TRAINING OF LATIN AMERICANS IN GUERRILLA WARFARE

11/30/63: Cable from JMWAVE to Director: "SUPDATA: AMWREN-1 in SW msg 42 dated 11 Nov 63 received 27 Nov...COUNTRY: Cuba/Venezuela...DOI: 1 Nov 63..."

104-10076-10074: CABLE - MESSAGE FOR AGENT

12/5/63, cable WAVE 8547 from JMWAVE to Director, slugline RYBAT TYPIC AMWREN COMMO TOCAN: Agent message in Spanish (needs translation)..."(For Dir only: S. need info about possible re-organization min foreign relations x repeating x do not send AMSINGE-1 to meet AMLABOR-1..."

Contributors:
Gavin McDonald • John Newman

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