CUBA A Talk with the Dean
Ridenour, Ron
Standing crouched over home plate, crouched overhome plate, the sturdythe sturdy blond kid spits into his thick blond kid spits into his thick handshands and rubs the saliva into his bat. and rubs...
...no human feelings...
...So we de- I might take, for revenge...
...Then Nicolas made a mistake...
...I was supposed to meet my handler I was supposed to meet my handler in Madrid in two days...
...We even gave them the explosives they even gave them the explosives they used...
...I quit...
...This will be great in the fu- handler...
...He Nicolas is a very intelligent man...
...I also bought a new color television...
...It is a sickness of capitalism,capitalism, per se, to look obliquely at per se, to look obliquely at one's ownone's own mistakes...
...The experience in these things...
...My first task was to pass a lie detec- My first task was to pass a lie detector test...
...and buy a house wherever you want...
...When most important task right now...
...He an explosion and fire on the plane...
...For your peace of mind, I assure you, and your peace of mind, I assure you, and headquartersheadquarters told me to assure you, that told me to assure you, that from now on we will take special pre- from now on we will take special precautions so that you, and your wife and cautions so that you, and your wife and family, will not be aboard any aircraft family, will not be aboard any aircraft that maythat may be subject to an act like that...
...We concentrate on our convictions while being trate on our convictions while being testedtested and we pass without any prob- and we pass without any problem...
...Our travel around the world in security...
...He insisted that I think about retiring and enjoying the think about retiring and enjoying the "good life...
...I was flying Havana-Angola-Ha- I was flying Havana-Angola-Ha-vana...
...The pilot radioed the tower at 17:23 for pilot radioed the tower at 17:23 for emergency landing clearing because of emergency landing clearing because of an explosion and fire on the plane...
...Well, I had to say something to my Well, I had to say something to my handler...
...First, the CIA infiltrated DSE agent...
...He was a gentlemanly type, highly educated, gentlemanly type, highly educated, always wearing fine clothes...
...The thing is, they information...
...I am not and hit him several times...
...If the double agent admits his the double agent admits his dual role, then he is asked to join the dual role, then he is asked to join the CIACIA as a triple agent...
...I partici- out of the country...
...This man sensed my mood...
...Then Nicolds made a mistake...
...He asked no more than a dozen questions, very simple ones to a dozen questions, very simple ones to which the answer was either yes or no...
...Yes, it's true...
...nuses to boot...
...There are things one cannot resist, self...
...I was them my code name was Julio...
...You are not paying me to murder tage...
...In the American way of life...
...That was my best buddy, a great friend: Ramon Ferran- buddy, a great friend: Ram6n Ferran-dix...
...to do in our country...
...Two weeks after the to prepare me...
...to lose credibility and a warm body...
...There are things one cannot resist, things one must get off his chest...
...I attended my friends' him so soon...
...It got to the point where he wrote to my son that I was a bad citizen wrote to my son that I was a bad citizen andand that he, my son mind you, should that he, my son mind you, should notnot see me anymore...
...I played for the interna- ball...
...We always turned it over to our govern- always turned it over to our government...
...Cuban rookie...
...You'll get paid for life...
...I was within an inch of losing my life and my within an inch of losing my life and my wife...
...They wanted to know about Cubana Airlines, our routes, what about Cubana Airlines, our routes, what equipment and goods we flew to our equipment and goods we flew to our allies.allies...
...Just imagine...
...The technician put The technician put a metal plate on the point of my fingers a metal plate on the point of my fingers to measure my heartbeat, and a suction to measure my heartbeat, and a suction cup on my body...
...The DC-8 took off at 17:15...
...It is not inconceivable want to kill us...
...I was in 1975...
...But sary for all the travelling I had to do...
...HeHe took with him all the money a took with him all the money a captaincaptain carries for supplies...
...view was adapted...
...It was a heavy blow for us...
...My love for the revo- asked me to join...
...I pitched, played the Senators...
...I quit...
...He became a captain for Cu- lution...
...Of course, I had permission to buypermission to buy the car...
...At first, I did not mentionAt first, I did not mention how con- how connectednected I was to the revolution, nor my I was to the revolution, nor my true identity.true identity...
...official, you can't support this...
...If they were thorough and objective, their structure ough and objective, their structure would be placed in doubt, even their would be placed in doubt, even their perceptionsperceptions of the "enemy," their basic of the "enemy," their basic mind-set...
...I was workingworking as an agent of the CIA at the as an agent of the CIA at the samesame time...
...Even though you are a unjustifiable...
...Sothat...
...Over the years we were able to bring some of the CIA we were able to bring some of the CIA earnings here, but we had to be careful...
...They always ask if you work for Seguri- They always ask if you work for Seguri-dad, if you are a communist...
...When I returned to work at the airport, I collaborated with mili- at the airport, I collaborated with military intelligence to prevent hijackings...
...and others...
...handler that was cruel and unnecessary...
...which the answer was either yes or no...
...I needed a car and a telephonetelephone for this work...
...Some time passed before I worked with them again...
...When the economic boycott began, especially the economic boycott began, especially the blockadeblockade of medicine, I told my CIA of medicine, I told my CIA handler that was cruel and unnecessary...
...grumble...
...She had names from Lord CIA...
...He came prepared for the situation...
...NowNow that I and my comrades are in that I and my comrades are in the open, we believe that they may the open, we believe that they may want to kill us...
...In that way, we things that satisfy them...
...I rememberhis last words to me:me: "Yourwomandidn'tcome.Letme "Your woman didn't come...
...Our psychologists in Seguridad tor test...
...Furthermore, we will not abandon you...
...He tried to restrainrestrain me in a calm way...
...alongside my people...
...Now, he is known as the Dean of Cuban moles...
...But to the CIA it did not seem impossible...
...After a me in a calm way...
...Besides I have two sons, both militants in the I have two sons, both militants in the Young Communists who would not Young Communists who would not like the idea of living in the United like the idea of living in the United States," I told him...
...The Agency wanted my The Agency wanted my observationsobservations on how the Cuban people on how the Cuban people took to the revolution, what they thought took to the revolution, what they thought of the new laws...
...The captain assured me surprise me...
...used...
...I had no problem, al- me...
...Both the CIA andand the Cuban Department of State the Cuban Department of State Security (DSE) finally decided -sepa- Security (DSE) finally decided -- separately,rately, of course-that Ignacio should of course-that Ignacio should recruitrecruit Mercedes...
...Inciso was carries for supplies...
...Today, the median salary of a CIA officer is $60,000, with bo- of a CIA officer is $60,000, with bonuses to boot...
...You know what he did...
...I gave them happening in Angola...
...We concen- ideological convictions...
...For them my code name was Julio...
...I shouted at the top of my lungs, I shouted at the top of my lungs, "Nicolas,"Nicolas, I'll lay out the first person I'll lay out the first person that tells me this...
...This things one must get off his chest...
...head, thinking, I don't know what...
...My best buddy told me he'd take chico...
...Even though you are a CIACIA official, you can't support this...
...This happened to me a few times...
...still feel young...
...I was Isidro to DSE.Isidro to DSE...
...I made an applicationapplication for a telephone, and Seguri- for a telephone, and Seguri-dad helped speed it through...
...He anyone...
...Ignacio operated as a double agent Ignacio operated as a double agent for a decade before telling his wife, for a decade before telling his wife, Mercedes Herrero Lopez...
...So I earned a bad reputation as a I earned a bad reputation as a citizen...
...I pitched, played the outfieldoutfield and the bases...
...Both the CIA Mercedes Herrero L6pez...
...He tried to This man sensed my mood...
...I think he startedstarted at Cubana Airlines the year at Cubana Airlines the year before me...
...Inciso was highlyhighly respected, an asset for the revo- respected, an asset for the revolution...
...Every- dad, if you are a communist...
...The CIA case officer stands to lose credibility and a warm body...
...earnings here, but we had to be careful...
...by a check...
...Iffollows...
...I experienced the most glorious I experienced the most glorious moment of my life when the Com- moment of my life when the Commander-in-Chief awarded me the Eliseo mander-in-Chief awarded me the Eliseo Reyes Medal...
...On several occasions, for a quick exit...
...Two Mexico, and South America...
...I attended my friends' wake, and then our psychologists tried wake, and then our psychologists tried to prepare me...
...That was my best take your flight...
...What does it mean for a What does it mean for a CIA technician or official to detect an CIA technician or official to detect an infiltrated DSE agent...
...The and delivers a fast ball...
...Seventy-three in Barbados...
...The first thing she told me was that she The first thing she told me was that she waswas a friend of a captain who had a friend of a captain who had betrayed thebetrayed the revolution, Miguel Inciso revolution, Miguel Inciso -Lord English, we called him, be- -Lord English, we called him, because he had fought in the Royal Air cause he had fought in the Royal Air Force during World War II...
...I"I couldn't believe it when they couldn't believe it when they asked me to join...
...When we met he immediately offered his we met he immediately offered his condolences.condolences...
...So we decided I would take no more flights to cided I would take no more flights to capitalist countries...
...She complained to our local CDR She complained to our local CDR [Committee for the Defense[Committee for the Defense of the Revo- of the Revolution].lution...
...Can you believe it, chico...
...before I worked with them again...
...abandon you...
...This is the way I became a CIA was me...
...got it too late to act upon...
...I became a crew member on overseas I became a crew member on overseas flights, andflights, and eventually a chief steward eventually a chief steward andand instructor...
...Over the years banks, some $300,000...
...TheThe president of the CDR came to president of the CDR came to ourour house one day to interrogate and house one day to interrogate and scold me...
...It exposedPresident Fidel Castro...
...personnel dropping off money and communica- dropping off money and communicationstions equipment, and photographing equipment, and photographing strategicstrategic sites and roads travelled by sites and roads travelled by President Fidel Castro...
...They were overjoyed because they thought they were obtaining cause they thought they were obtaining fresh,fresh, accurate information about what accurate information about what waswas happening in Angola...
...But the CDRthe CDR people couldn't know about people couldn't know about that...
...By that time mama was receiving By that time mamd was receiving $500 a month...
...For 21 years he spied on thethe CIA, fronting as one of their own CIA, fronting as one of their own -the-the longest time any Cuban fooled longest time any Cuban fooled the enemy intelligence agency...
...American way of life...
...and Hernin Ricardo Losano...
...They had given me an RS804 [coded transmitter], and, of course, 804 [coded transmitter], and, of course, theythey gave us their information as well, gave us their information as well, enough so that our Commander can enough so that our Commander can travel around the world in security...
...Barbados was where we changed crews, and I was waiting for the plane crews, and I was waiting for the plane fromfrom Guyana-Trinidad...
...The worst event through all those The worst event through all those years was the brutal sabotage of a years was the brutal sabotage of a Cubana Aviaci6nCubana Aviacion plane, on October 6, plane, on October 6, 1976,1976, in Barbados...
...The CIA hired me at $200 a month, The CIA hired me at $200 a month, andand my salary climbed to $1500...
...You can leave Cuba with your family, You can leave Cuba with your family, and buy a house wherever you want...
...All I "good life...
...Just before the revolution- Just before the revolutionary triumph, I startedary triumph, I started working for Cu- working for Cu-bana Airlinesbana Airlines and I'm still with them...
...Two yearsyears after starting pro ball in the States, after starting pro ball in the States, I landedI landed a contract with the Washing- a contract with the Washing-tonton Senators...
...Though always wearing fine clothes...
...I didn't participate in this...
...He became a captain for Cu-banabana Airlines, but on his first flight Airlines, but on his first flight abroad he sought asylum in Canada...
...Combined, we were $500 a month...
...as a triple agent...
...If they were thor- mistakes...
...We had to post- in Madrid in two days...
...WeWe returned home during the revo- returned home during the revolutionarylutionary struggle...
...This will be great in the future, but now...
...The captain assured me she had not come...
...The DSE documentarydocumentary showed U.S...
...The CIA is capable capitalist countries...
...The the CIA it did not seem impossible...
...They became the stars of an 11- They became the stars of an 11-partpart series on Cuban TV...
...in their banks...
...It is a sickness of cover a double agent...
...Let me take your flight...
...My neighbors contin- cerned about me...
...Imagine...
...It was neces- the car...
...lution...
...were supposed to be among the dead...
...Ram6n and his wife, Mercedes and 1, we were inseparable...
...Just imagine...
...The CIA technician's skill is The CIA technician's skill is called into question, and another test is called into question, and another test is requested...
...no less than 15 a year...
...I slapped him on the face, with this...
...I was already of age to retire from Cubana Airlines, and age to retire from Cubana Airlines, and I have heart trouble...
...For 21 years he spied on Cuban moles...
...especially our Commander-in-Chief...
...That's your most important task right now...
...I visited Ignacio Ro-drIguez-Mena at his home in Havana, driguez-Mena at his home in Havana, and recordedand recorded his story...
...even the truth was aa lie...
...You don't care about the family, about anybody...
...I knew many of thethe big names: Mickey Mantle, Joe big names: Mickey Mantle, Joe Dimaggio,Dimaggio, and others...
...Combined, we were making $2000, but it was all in U.S...
...Our pride, our courage has impeded the pride, our courage has impeded the criminalscriminals from murdering our leader...
...Aerial Sabotage Aerial Sabotage There come moments in life when a There come moments in life when a personperson is not prepared to control him- is not prepared to control himself...
...Work was hard to come by, so I started play- was hard to come by, so I started playing professional baseball...
...at me...
...People asked questions: How could it be that Ignacio, an airline stew- could it be that Ignacio, an airline steward, has so much money and influence ard, has so much money and influence thatthat he can get a new car and quick he can get a new car and quick telephonetelephone service...
...Due to some plane that was sabotaged...
...Furthermore, we will not our banks...
...his story...
...In the end, the $300,000 was lost in their banks...
...This cannot happen...
...Our psychologists in Seguridad preparedprepared me...
...Barbados was where we changed vana...
...tary intelligence to prevent hijackings...
...The polygraphThe polygraph is nothing more than a is nothing more than a tool that can be effective if the corn- tool that can be effective if the com-pahieropanero weakens...
...That's your make, and the day and time...
...They have no human feelings...
...You cannot imagineimagine how much information they how much information they wanted, and how much I gave them, wanted, and how much I gave them, how many interviews I had with them...
...Appar-ently,ently, my name appeared on his list...
...It was necessary for all the travelling I had to do...
...All I want to do is to die for my country want to do is to die for my country alongside my people...
...AA Spy at Home Spy at Home II had problems as a double agent, had problems as a double agent, leading three lives...
...They have of committing any atrocity...
...be subject to an act like that...
...1 protested, but he insisted...
...to try to kill our Commander...
...WhenWhen I was in Madrid in April 1985, I was in Madrid in April 1985, CIACIA officer Martin (actually Allen officer Martin (actually Allen Cooper) told me: You have to try and Cooper) told me: You have to try and find out, with your wife's help, what find out, with your wife's help, what precautions are taken when it's known precautions are taken when it's known thatthat the Commander is expected at the the Commander is expected at the airport, what security measures are airport, what security measures are taken, the license the plane has, what taken, the license the plane has, what route they'll take, what stopovers they'll route they'll take, what stopovers they'll make, and the day and time...
...When you get this information send me a you get this information send me a message right away with the set you message right away with the set you werewere given...
...We had littlelittle experience in these things...
...instructor...
...It was a heavy blow for us...
...My love for the revolutionlution is boundless, and I have never is boundless, and I have never hidden my feelings," he told me...
...Ironically, the CIA recruited him by mistake cally, the CIA recruited him by mistake -an-an error in name, and in ideology...
...InIn July 1987, the Cuban govern- July 1987, the Cuban governmentment revealed the identities of 26 Cu- revealed the identities of 26 Cu-bans andbans and one Italian who had infiltrated one Italian who had infiltrated thethe CIA on behalf of the Cuban Revo- CIA on behalf of the Cuban Revolution,lution, Ignacio and Mercedes among Ignacio and Mercedes among them.them...
...In the second interview, with her husband the second interview, with her husband EduardoEduardo Gonzalez, I felt compelled to Gonzdlez, I felt compelled to explain thatexplain that I was not the other Ignacio, I was not the other Ignacio, that there had been a mistake...
...Well, fortunately mymy son and I are very close, and he son and I are very close, and he ignoredignored the man, although he was con- the man, although he was concerned about me...
...RonRon Ridenour is the author of a Ridenour is the author of a forthcomingforthcoming book on the C/A's war book on the CIA's war against Cuba, fromagainst Cuba, from which this inter- which this interview was adapted...
...The polygraphpolygraph was an old machine, like an was an old machine, like an electro-cardiograph.electro-cardiograph...
...ViceVice Consul Duane Thomas Evans Consul Duane Thomas Evans dropping cash in February 1987 to buy, dropping cash in February 1987 to buy, one double agent maintains, a yacht as one double agent maintains, a yacht as partpart of an assassination plot against of an assassination plot against Fidel Castro...
...His last name is Rodriguez...
...He was a Force during World War II...
...The CIA was involved in this atrocity, and here I was working with atrocity, and here I was working with them...
...from murdering our leader...
...You'll get paid for life...
...I raised mymy head, thinking, I don't know what...
...even the truth was thing I said was a lie...
...I was I felt terrible, just terrible...
...I told her about my youth I told her about my youth in the United States as a baseball player, in the United States as a baseball player, enjoyingenjoying the American way of life...
...We trained thesetrained these people in explosives...
...They can surprise you with a lie...
...Imagine...
...The DSE series on Cuban TV...
...my name appeared on his list...
...We had was nervous...
...Some time passed out their parents...
...I just couldn't face him so soon...
...Over the years I worked with some Over the years I worked with some 30 to 35 CIA officers...
...We people in explosives...
...The plane went out of control and fell into the sea just short of control and fell into the sea just short of land...
...They had given me an RS- given...
...You are criminals, murderers...
...He asked no more than cup on my body...
...You cannot 30 to 35 CIA officers...
...When Lord Hemrnndez, not Mena...
...making $2000, but it was all in U.S...
...But to hidden my feelings," he told me...
...My neighbors continued toued to grumble...
...Though bourgeois, he seemed to favor the revo- bourgeois, he seemed to favor the revolution...
...abroad he sought asylum in Canada...
...He turned his wings and a second blast turned his wings and a second blast occurred at 17:28...
...crop diseases, and even filmed U.S...
...I needed a car and a leading three lives...
...Due to some difficulty at work, mama had to cancel difficulty at work, mamd had to cancel her trip...
...You don't You are criminals, murderers...
...Now, he is known as the Dean of States...
...The neighborhood committee The neighborhood committee was alreadywas already suspicious of me because I suspicious of me because I had ceased participating, maintained a had ceased participating, maintained a political distance,political distance, and I'd swapped my and I'd swapped my oldold car for a new one...
...Later, we concluded the name wasn't Later, we concluded the name wasn't mine but that of a copilot, another Ig- mine but that of a copilot, another Ig-nacionacio Rodriguez...
...The CIA is not motivated to dis- The CIA is not motivated to discover a double agent...
...Lie Detectors Lie Detectors When I was 17 years old, in 1949, When I was 17 years old, in 1949, mymy family moved to Philadelphia...
...Seguridad checked throughSeguridad checked through all those all those years and verified that the CIA blindly years and verified that the CIA blindly took in much of the information we took in much of the information we preparedprepared and delivered through our and delivered through our moles.moles...
...We'd worked I, we were inseparable...
...If the machine shows weakens...
...I was even jailed for this and I was even jailed for this and waswas prohibited from studying at pub- prohibited from studying at public schools.lic schools...
...ThereThere is another thing about these is another thing about these lie detectors.lie detectors...
...When Reagan he ignored me...
...housing, all the necessities of life...
...This is the greatest honor a revolutionary can achieve, and this is a revolutionary can achieve, and this is what Mercedes and I have...
...Sometimes two or three times a month...
...Mercedes was Guyana-Trinidad...
...As a kid, I'd played in the Cuban junior leagues, played in the Cuban junior leagues, then for a national team, and later pro- then for a national team, and later professionalfessional ball...
...He races up thethe line and around to second base: a line and around to second base: a clean double for the Washington Sena- clean double for the Washington Senators'tors' Cuban rookie...
...I never saw Ram6n again...
...I played a leading rolerole in the revolutionary student move- in the revolutionary student movement.ment...
...You would have left my children with- You would have left my children without their parents...
...I didn't participate "No, no, I don't...
...They trained the killers: Luis them...
...What was important to him was What was important to him was a new recruit and, thus, apat on the back anew recruit and, thus, a pat on the back followedfollowed by a check...
...You know what he did...
...woman called me at my hotel...
...When came prepared for the situation...
...Looking over the left off the last name...
...They were overjoyed be- time...
...First, the CIA agent who recruited the person stands agent who recruited the person stands to lose his fee, and may be cut off in the to lose his fee, and may be cut off in the future.future...
...We from Madrid filled with $10,000...
...They wanted to know of the new laws...
...Seventy-three people died: [My wife] Mercedes and I people died: [My wife] Mercedes and I were supposed to be among the dead...
...I felt terrible, just terrible...
...He laughedlaughed at me...
...no less than 15 a year...
...Ramon and his wife, Mercedes and diz...
...This is the greatest honor Reyes Medal...
...No, no, I don't...
...When the phonephone arrived, my neighbor became arrived, my neighbor became upsetupset because she had requested a phone because she had requested a phone longlong before me, and it had not yet ar- before me, and it had not yet arrived.rived...
...Besides ture, but now I still feel young...
...I didn't know anything about in this...
...We'd worked together since the beginning...
...TheyThey worked [my wife and I] as a worked [my wife and I] as a teamteam to try to kill our Commander...
...her trip...
...When the happened to me a few times...
...NicolAs...
...BecauseBecause of my background in intelli- of my background in intelligencegence work, I agreed to meet with her...
...I think he together since the beginning...
...The pitcher glares at him, begins a slow The pitcher glares at him, begins a slow windupwindup and delivers a fast ball...
...I met IgnacioI met Ignacio RodrIguez-Mena Cas- Rodriguez-Mena Cas-trillon 35 years later, long after he played trill6n 35 years later, long after he played professional baseball in the United professional baseball in the United States...
...Everything I said was a lie...
...Asakid,I'd ing professional baseball...
...I played a leading struggle...
...He insisted that I States," I told him...
...I rememberhis last words to he insisted...
...I am not going to work with you any more...
...We also what Mercedes and I have...
...He was so stupid...
...Well, fortunately see me anymore...
...When Reagan won the elections, I told him I was won the elections, I told him I was against all these criminal acts of sabo- against all these criminal acts of sabotage...
...Plus their careers and incomes and incomes are atare at stake...
...of land...
...Work family moved to Philadelphia...
...I also bought a car for a new one...
...I went to the airport to meet her I went to the airport to meet her plane, thinking she was fooling with plane, thinking she was fooling with me, and was really on the plane to me, and was really on the plane to surprise me...
...When Lord English madeEnglish made up his list, he must have up his list, he must have left off the last name...
...service...
...I participated inpated in repelling air attacks preced- repelling air attacks precedinging the Bay of Pigs invasion...
...Today, the median salary stake...
...Ourexcuse was that when the day came Ourexcuse was that when the day came to flee Cuba we had to have some funds to flee Cuba we had to have some funds for a quick exit...
...They May Try to Kill Us They May Try to Kill Us TwoTwo months before we publicly months before we publicly denounced the CIA, my handler spoke denounced the CIA, my handler spoke to me about retiring...
...I gave them accurateaccurate information...
...The The DC-8 took off at 17:15...
...The CIA was involved in this wife...
...I made an for this work...
...Gonzalez, a pre-recruiter,a pre-recruiter, said it was of no impor- said it was of no importance.tance...
...This crime is unjustifiable...
...through an error...
...My best buddy told me he'd take my place on Flight 455...
...The batter smacks thebatter smacks the ball hard...
...Ironi- the enemy intelligence agency...
...I had worked in customs,I had worked in customs, so I took on so I took on the job ofthe job of detecting how the enemies detecting how the enemies ofof the revolution tried to take great the revolution tried to take great sumssums of money, jewelry, and other of money, jewelry, and other richesriches out of the country...
...I played for the internationaltional league in Florida, in Nicaragua, league in Florida, in Nicaragua, Mexico, and South America...
...We also have a sense of tranquility, living in have a sense of tranquility, living in security, with education for our chil- security, with education for our children and grandchildren, health care, dren and grandchildren, health care, housing, all the necessities of life...
...error in name, and in ideology...
...We spoke rapidly...
...how many interviews I had with them...
...1 protested, but my place on Flight 455...
...It is not inconceivable that they would plant a bomb on a flight that they would plant a bomb on a flight I might take, for revenge...
...I knew many of and the bases...
...Gonzalez, that there had been a mistake...
...We had to postpone the meeting...
...I slapped him on the face, and hit him several times...
...You are not paying me to murder anyone...
...Later, I the Bay of Pigs invasion...
...I never saw Ramon again...
...If the machine shows himhim to be lying, a personal interview to be lying, a personal interview follows...
...The CIA case officer stands requested...
...The CIA official I have heart trouble...
...People asked questions: How citizen...
...The plane went out occurred at 17:28...
...He spoke gently, trying to He spoke gently, trying to empathizeempathize with my feelings...
...and I'm still with them...
...before me...
...going to work with you any more...
...personnel showed U.S...
...Well,Well, he ignored me...
...I didn't know anything about it...
...Plus their careersmind-set...
...In that way, we learnlearn what they are doing and what they what they are doing and what they wantwant to do in our country...
...They can surprise you with a tricky question, buttricky question, but the machines can- the machines cannot detect one's patriotism, or one's not detect one's patriotism, or one's ideological convictions...
...I visited Ignacio Ro- Fidel Castro...
...II had the honor of working on the had the honor of working on the firstfirst Cuban military supply flight to Cuban military supply flight to AngolaAngola in 1975...
...Of course, I had new color television...
...The CIA is capable of committing any atrocity...
...Appar- could be useful to the Agency...
...I grabbed a chair to that tells me this...
...When the dad helped speed it through...
...Can you believe it, she had not come...
...For my salary climbed to $1500...
...I had no problem, although Ithough I was nervous...
...Mercedes...
...He races up ball hard...
...Looking over the registeredregistered names at the hotel where I names at the hotel where I stayed, the agent believed the copilot stayed, the agent believed the copilot was me...
...I raised with my feelings...
...banks, some $300,000...
...In the end, the $300,000 was lost ment...
...work, I agreed to meet with her...
...care about the family, about anybody...
...He was so stupid...
...This cannot happen...
...She had names from Lord English,English, people whom he believed people whom he believed could be useful to the Agency...
...Nicolas is a very intelligent man...
...For it...
...Yes, it's true...
...He saw my shocked expression and He saw my shocked expression and spoke rapidly...
...I just couldn't face pone the meeting...
...Two weeks after the massacre, I flew to Madrid to confront massacre, I flew to Madrid to confront Nicolas...
...Anyway,Anyway, this woman worked with this woman worked with thethe CIA...
...They trained the killers: Luis Posada Carriles and Orlando Bosch, Posada Carriles and Orlando Bosch, and the two Venezuelans, Freddy Lugo and the two Venezuelans, Freddy Lugo and Hernan Ricardo Losano...
...When I returned to work lutionaries...
...It got to the point where he scold me...
...Later, I joinedjoined a combat batallion, and for a combat batallion, and for several months we cleaned up the several months we cleaned up the Escambray mountains of counterrevo- Escambray mountains of counterrevo-lutionaries...
...On several occasions, we brought a suitcase full of money we brought a suitcase full of money from Madrid filled with $10,000...
...Mercedes was to meet me and we were to leave on the to meet me and we were to leave on the plane that was sabotaged...
...This is the way I became a CIA agent,agent, through an error...
...I was already of to me about retiring...
...In our work, we never tell lies, In our work, we never tell lies, andand sometimes we tell the Company sometimes we tell the Company things that satisfy them...
...The fact that Ignacio had lived in the United fact that Ignacio had lived in the United States,States, playing the national sport, was playing the national sport, was reasonreason enough to assume that he pre- enough to assume that he preferred theferred the American way of life...
...They were always very inter- They were always very interested in the movements of our leaders, ested in the movements of our leaders, especially our Commander-in-Chief...
...The thing is, they alwaysalways got it too late to act upon...
...After a moment, I said: "Look, this is inadmis- moment, I said: "Look, this is inadmissible...
...Sometimes two or three times a month...
...It exposed CIA CIA attemptsattempts to spread Dengue fever and to spread Dengue fever and crop diseases, and even filmed U.S...
...The CIA official told me: "You have a lot of money in told me: "You have a lot of money in our banks...
...This crime is sible...
...His last name is Hernandez, not Mena...
...OnOn one trip to Madrid in 1966 a one trip to Madrid in 1966 a CubanCuban woman called me at my hotel...
...I grabbed a chair to hit him on the head, and he cried out, hit him on the head, and he cried out, "Listen,"Listen, I didn't have anything to do I didn't have anything to do with this...
Vol. 23 • September 1989 • No. 3
