2506 PRISONER
DELEGATION MEETING
(Miami, May 1961)
[Reference: Dade County OCB file #153]
CI 153-D
DATE: May 22, 1961
TO: THOMAS J. KELLY, Metropolitan Sheriff
FROM: LT. FRANK CHAPEL, Supervisor, Criminal Intelligence
SUBJECT: CUBAN COUNTER - REVOLUTIONARY ACTIVITIES -
ULISES CARBO et al
At approximately 8: a.m. on May 20, 1961, Agent A.L. TARABOCHIA was advised
by a reliable source that a number of Cuban nationals recently captured in
the aftermath of the unsuccessful invasion of Cuba were being returned to
Miami. The prisoners were to negotiate the ransom of tractors demanded
by FIDEL CASTRO for the release of the 1,200 prisoners held in captivity
since the end of April.
The writer immediately notified Lt. KAPPEL and the Duty Sergeant at the airport
since it was foreseeable that a large crowd of Cubans would gather to meet
the prisoners.
At 12:15 p.m., Agent TARABOCHIA was notified by Sgt. J. KOGAN that the prisoners
were to arrive on P.A.A. Flight #442 at 1:30 p.m. and that there was a considerable
number of Cubans waiting the arrival of the flight.
Upon arrival, the writer contacted Lt. STOUT and together they proceeded
to the United States Immigration Office to receive instructions on the procedure
to follow.
Mr. L. GIDDEL, Travel Control Officer of I.N.S. revealed that the prisoners
identified as follows,
[Photo of Delegation not in report]
(1) ULISES CARBO, Hq. Co.
(2) MIRTO COLLAZO VALDES, Hq. Co.
(3) Captain LUIS MORSE DELGADO, Navy
(4) JUAN JOSE PERUYERO, 3rd Bn.
(5) WALDO CASTROVERDE, 1st Bn., Paratroop
(6) HUGO SUEIROS, 2nd Bn.
(7) CEFERINO ALVAREZ CASTRELLON, 4th Armored Bn.
(8) GUSTAVO GARCIA MONTES, Heavy Weapons Bn.
(9) REINALDO PICO RAMON, 6th Bn.
(10) FELIX ELOY PEREZ TAMAYO, 5th Bn.
were to give a press conference in the VIP room of the airport and then proceed
to the DuPont Plaza Hotel where they were to meet with the representatives
of the Revolutionary Council.
At 1:38 p.m., P.A.A. Flight #422 arrived at Miami and the ten prisoners alighted
last, clad in camouflage combat uniforms. After a brief interrogation
by Mr. GIDDEL, the prisoners were taken to the parking apron where five United
States Border Patrol cars waited to take t hem to the Du Pont Plaza Hotel.
The press conference was canceled when it became evident that it would be
impossible to take the prisoners through the waiting crowd estimated at approximately
500. Just before boarding the Border Patrol cars, the prisoners were
allowed to pose for the press photographers. Immediately afterwards,
the group left for the Hotel where it arrived at approximately 2:30 p.m.
Upon arrival at the Hotel, it was learned that the Manager, ROBERT E. PAGE,
requested that a Negro male among the prisoners be removed from the premises
because of a policy of the Hotel. When it was pointed out that such
action could be exploited by the communist press, Mr. PAGE'S only remark
was, "I only work here".
Mr. WILLIAM PAWLEY, former United States Ambassador to Brazil made arrangements
for the group to be billeted at the Fontainebleau Hotel on Miami Beach.
At approximately 3:30 p.m., the prisoners in the Border Patrol cars with
a Miami Police motorcycle escort proceeded to the Fontainebleau where, upon
arrival, the group was taken to the fourth floor and, at their request, refused
to see anyone including their relatives.
After being assigned to their rooms, the prisoners met with the representatives
of the Cuban Revolutionary Council for approximately 90 minutes under the
constant supervision of two C.I.A. agents and the I.N.S. inspectors.
At the end of the meeting, Mr. GIDDEL requested that the writer escort the
group to 1034 Michigan Avenue where they were to meet with Dr. JOSE MIRO
CARDONA, President of the Revolutionary Council. Dr. MIRO was confined
to bed with a pulmonary congestion but, due to the exceptional circumstances,
received permission from his doctors to receive the delegation of prisoners.
At this point, the writer was joined by Agent J. M. Mc KAY because of the
number of persons gathered at the residence of Dr. MIRO.
The meeting ended at 8:01 p.m. and the group returned to the Fontainebleau
Hotel where a press conference was arranged. At approximately 8:30
p.m., Mr. GIDDEL advised the writer that there were no other activities planned
and, due to the fact that most of the prisoners were to visit their homes,
there was no need for additional security measures. Agents TARABOCHIA
and Mc KAY then secured at approximately 8:40 p.m.
During his contacts with the prisoners, Agent TARABOCHIA has obtained additional
information relative to the abortive invasion of April 17, 1961. This
information will be included in a separate report to follow.
Respectfully submitted,
A.L. TARABOCHIA
Intelligence Agent
LT. FRANK KAPPEL, Supervisor
Criminal Intelligence
ALT/ rcw
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