Ejercito de Liberacion Nacional (ELN)
National Liberation Army
[REF: Cuban Counter Revolutionary Handbook 10 October 1962 by the CIA.
FBI HQ file number 109-584-3387; NARA RIF Number 124-10279-10032]
[NOTE: The copies were very hard to transcribe because of
poor photo reproduction. At points where the words were unreadable,
three dots
(...) were inserted to indicate a missing word or words. Words in
brackets are not contained in the original. FURTHER NOTE: Please
consider the date,
10 Oct. 1962, when evaluating the organizations.]
[page 26]
COUNTER REVOLUTIONARY HANDBOOK
PART II: SECONDARY ORGANIZATIONS
I. IDENTIFYING DATA:
Common Title: ELN
Title: Ejercito de Liberacion Nacional (ELN)
National Liberation Army
Non-political organized along military lines (divisions, battalions,
regiments, etc.) to establish democracy in Cuba; this to be
accomplished under a unified command of all anti-Communist forces in
Cuba and in Exile. Claims following member organizations:
FND, MDC, MRTN, CL, RDR, MDM, FDN, OA, FNR, FURE, RA, FRD, DM, ALC, and
OR. (These claims unsubstantiated by responsible members of the
organizations.
Leading Personalities: (Each member signs oath and membership
roll in pseudo; therefore, few true names are known). In U.
S.: "Pastor" (Osvaldo JOLDAN); Nine [Nino / Niño]
DIAZ. In Cuba: Dr. Jorge ESPINO, lawyer in Havana (National
Coordinator); "Cardinal" Chief, Division 1, "Maximo Gomez"; Juan
BAUTISTA Gonzalez.
II. HISTORY
Organized shortly after 17 April 61, Havana, by small group of
clandestine fighters. Division 1, "Maximo Gomez," includes
Western provinces; was created with immediate objective of growing
secretly until attainment of large manpower potential.
Division 2 "Jose Marti," includes Eastern provinces; size unknown.
Has distributed some anti-communist propaganda, placed anti-regime
slogans on walls, performed some sabotage actions; organizing other
resistance groups into military structure. In April 62, claimed
31,930 men organized into 31 battalions of 1,030 men each. In
August 62, reportedly Division 1 alone claimed 25,000 members
throughout Cuba. These claims greatly exaggerated.
III. CURRENT STATUS
In August 1962 one Pastor del MONTE (pseudonym, believed I/W Osvaldo
JOLDAN) sent MIRO Cardona a document on organization and objectives of
ELN. Urges "Unity of Operation" of the Liberation Army inside
with forces in exile. As of 15 Oct, Miro had not granted
interview, which author requested, to discuss paper.
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