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Cryptonym: UNSNAFU-9

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Definition:
Luis Enrique Trasancos, a CIA penetration agent at the Cuban embassy in Paris.
Status:
Documented
Discussion:
It appears Bill Harvey recruited UNSNAFU-9 in early 1963, see below.
Sources:

104-10169-10227: Written list of Cryptonyms and Identities

A listing of CIA cryptonyms and corresponding identities that reveals the name of UNSNAFU-9 is Luis Trasancos. http://documents.theblackvault.com/documents/jfk/NARA-July2017/JFK-July_2017_Release-Formerly_released_in_part/104-10169-10227.pdf

104-10215-10057: CABLE RE: 1. 24 AUG AMSPORT/1 HAD CONTACT AMLASH/1

8/30/62, memo from Paris to Director: "Luis Enrique Trasancos Arrieta, born Matanzas on 26 July 1931, permanent address Calle 35 Varadero, Matanzas, Cuba. Studied at Academy Fine Arts, Chicago, 1957 to 58. Now works Cuban Consulate, Paris.

104-10183-10045: LETTER:ON MY TRIP TO EUROPE/VISIT TO CUBAN CONSULATE IN PARIS

3/1/63 letter to Bill Harvey from REDACTED... Esteemed Bill: On my trip through Europe, I went to visit Mr. Transacos/ UNSNAFU-9 in the Cuban (consulate) in Paris...Venegas is the Cuban student delegate in the UIE that I met in Prague. I met (UNSNAFU-9) last year when we were in Paris with RC who I met at the Consulate. On that occasion, I was in the Consulate twice and one night I invited (UNSNAFU-9) to dinner. In the conversation that I had with him, I realized that his way of thinking is opposed to the Cuban government today... (UNSNAFU-9) has his family in exile here in the US. I believe his father and one sister and brother work for Firestone in Ohio. He is married in Paris to a Spanish woman. ...Last time that he saw Venegas, he was returning from Algeria...he told him that Ben Bella was an admirer of Fidel Castro and that the break with the Algerian communist party was a plan to get money from the Americans, but that he was more of a Socialist than Fidel. Bill...you believe that it may be of interest that I try to get (UNSNAFU-9) to work for us. I think that I could do it by talking with him again. I left the way open since I requested a passport in the Cuban Consulate in Paris. (It will take about 40 days.) When I have to go to pick it up, I could begin talking to him again if you think it best after checking this gentleman out..."

104-10215-10220: CABLE:18 DEC ( )SNAFU-9, WHO ONE OF SEVERAL PBRUMEN OFFICIALS

12/20/63 cable from Paris to Director: "18 Dec UNSNAFU-9, who one of several (Cuban) officials Pari recently and officially suspended from duties, was informed by (Cuban) ambassador that cable received from home to effect both UNSNAFU-9 and UNSNAFU-8 to retain their positions. Although UNSNAFU-9 has no proof, he speculates that this reversal may be due influence of AMLASH-1 who had assured old friends UNSNAFU-8 and UNSNAFU-9 that he would guard their interests upon his return home. If true, this would be some indication AMLASH/1 present status."

104-10216-10212: Amlash-1 and Jose Vanegas Valdespino

7/30/64, memo to Hal Swenson: "When UNSNAFU-9, who is of considerable value as a penetration agent at the Cuban embassy in Paris, was talking too loosely...LASH(Cubela) used VENEGAS to write to UNSNAFU-9 from Prague to make UNSNAFU-9 behave."

104-10216-10125: CABLE:REF ASKED FOR ( )SNAFU/9 INFO ON JORGE ROBRENO MARIEGES AKA

UNSNAFU-9 is requested to provide information to the Agency on Jorge Robreno (AMLASH-2) and they were informed about his travel habits, contacts, and who was currently financially supporting him.

104-10216-10435: DISPATCH: CABLE TO CUBAN FOREIGN MINISTRY

4/15/65 dispatch from Chief of Station, Paris to Chief, Western Europe, re UNSNAFU-9 cable to Cuban Foreign Ministry - and citing 201-337672: "Transmitted under separate cover is a copy of the cable mentioned in Paragraph 3 of Reference C...We came to the conclusion that such a strong personal attack on UNSNAFU/19 (note: Cuban Ambassador to Paris, Antonio Maria Carrillo Carreras) would probably accomplish little since UNSNAFU/19 had already sent in his version to Havana and could be expected to have the backing of most or all of the Paris Embassy personnel - despite noble claims to the contrary made privately to UNSNAFU/9 by UNSNAFU/14 and AMBALD/2. Also considered, especially by UNSNAFU/9, was the possible effect such action might have on AMLASH/1. UNSNAFU/9 was, and still is, very reluctant to take any action which might adversely effect AMLASH/1 or force AMLASH/1 into a position not of his own choosing, i.e., to have to take up the defense of UNSNAFU/9 without being able to choose his own time and place. 2. We are trying to get the story into the press here, as stated in Reference C, and will advise you of any results obtained. A dispatch on the subject of planning for UNSNAFU/9 will be forthcoming shortly."

104-10234-10378: CONCERNED OVER RECENT PROMINENT MENTION

5/27/65 cable from Madrid, slugline KEYWAY PBRUMEN UNSNAFU: "Madrid concerned over recent prominent mention QUSPORT-1. Would appreciate details on how Q-1 name has come into conversation in various meets with AMLASH-3, UNSNAFU-9 and Espinosa. Espinosa is 201-285147. See 180-10075-10072, DEPOSITION OF VICTOR ESPINOZA, p. 63 of 114: The Cuban consulate employee in Paris who gave him some information about Cubela in 1965 was "Jose Trasancos" - probably UNSNAFU-9 - Espinosa may have forgot that his first name was Luis.

1993.07.20.09:26:43:310530: VICTOR ESPINOSA

6/8/65: Upon returning from Paris, Espinosa told "ODURGE and ODENVY of AMLASH conspiracy, AMLASH 2 and 3, UNSNAFU-9" and a host of other subjects.

104-10216-10413: MEMO: CIA OPERATIONS AND PLOT TO KILL FIDEL CASTRO, RAUL CASTRO AND OTHER KEY FIGURES OF THE PRESENT REGIME IN CUBA

7/9/65 memo from Harold Swenson to John Hart: "About your Paris people, Bob, Dick and Maureen who is Dick's secretary, there is no complaint in particular. Maureen does not know when she is being kidded. Maureen is the go-between for Luis Trasancos and Dick. The problem is that we can't be sure we can get the story from Rolando Cubela to the CIA chiefs by using your Paris people. We don't want Luis Trasancos or Luis Fernandez to know more than they need. This is just good security. They know enough about the general plan but they need not know details."

180-10141-10364: No Title

"Being the principal indicated in a plan to kill the Prime Minister, the former commander Rolando Cubela Secades was also arrested in 1965. That plan was created by the CIA, taking advantage Cubela's trip to Madrid, where he was recruited by the CIA agents Manuel Artime, Jorge Robreno known as "The Magician" (El Mago), Luis Enrique Transecos and Carlos Tepedino. (Excerpt from materials given to George McGovern by Premier Castro...)"

Contributors:
Bill Simpich • Carmine Savastano

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