Bacardi and the Long Fight for Cuba

by Gjelten, Tom

  P. 215. He told Sánchez: The account of Bosch accompanying Castro to Washington is from José M. Bosch, in videotaped interview by Miguel Gonzalez-Pando, September 1990, video recording in Cuban Living History Project, Florida International University; José M. Bosch, interview by Georgie Anne Geyer, Miami, January 17, 1985, transcript in Georgie Anne Geyer Papers, Hoover Institution Archives, Stanford, CA; author interview with Ernesto Betancourt, November 11, 2003, Bethesda, MD; Foster, 100; and López-Fresquet, 105-6.

  P. 217. The tall, bearded rebel: The account of Castro’s U.S. tour is from Dumont, Cuba, 23-24; Edwards, 11-16; and “Castro Visit Triumphant,” Harvard Law Record, April 30, 1959, 3-4.

  P. 218. “that does not forget: Dumont, Cuba, 24.

  P. 218. “In all candor: Diario de la Marina (Havana), April 18, 1959

  P. 218. To Bosch’s delight: El País (Havana), May 27, 1959.

  P. 219. endorsed the land redistribution: Diario de la Marina (Havana), May 27-30, 1959.

  P. 219. The Bacardi Rum: El Mundo (Havana), May 5, 1959.

  P. 219. The law that emerged: Padula, “The Fall of the Bourgeoisie,” 278-82.

  P. 219. The change was not painless: Pérez, Cuba: Between Reform and Revolution, 321.

  P. 219. “You had entrepreneurs: Antonio Jorge, interview by the author, June 23, 2004, Miami.

  P. 220. “precisely because of: Arturo Chabau to Raúl Gutierrez, February 13, 1959, Bacardi archives.

  P. 220. “Given the extraordinary: Arnold Rodríguez (Comité Central de la Concentración Campesina) to José Argamasilla, July 7, 1959, Bacardi archives.

  P. 220. “excessive facility: Aguilar, “The Revolution, the Economy, and the Counterrevolution,” in Cuba in Revolution, 142, originally published as “La Revolución, La economía y la con- trarevolución,” in Prensa Libre (Havana), March 21, 1959.

  P. 221. On one side: Aguilar, “A Mounting Dilemma,” in Cuba in Revolution, 144, originally published as “El dilema” in Prensa Libre (Havana), June 27, 1959.

  P. 221. “Embrace for history: “Abrazo Para La Historia,” full-page Bacardi ad taken out in several Havana newspapers, July 26, 1959.

  P. 221. “I said to myself: Padula, “Fall of the Bourgeoisie,” 248.

  P. 222. When President Manuel: The account of the Urrutia resignation is from Thomas, 1232-33, Quirk, 249-52, and Szulc, 504-5.

  P. 222. The Havana municipal: Dumont, Cuba, 26.

  P. 223. “a school of thought: “Growing Economic Woe May Play Bigger Role Than Castro’s Politics,” Wall Street Journal, July 24, 1959.

  P. 223. As Bosch explained later: José M. Bosch to Daniel Bacardi, March 2, 1959, Bacardi archives.

  Chapter 16. The Year Cuba Changed

  P. 224. Both events were lavish: Described in Bacardi Gráfico 5, no. 17 (June 1960).

  P. 225. a parallel task force: Szulc, 476.

  P. 225. “Maybe when the time: López-Fresquet, 165.

  P. 226. Guevara said there were: Padula, “The Fall of the Bourgeoisie,” 291.

  P. 226. López-Fresquet told the businessmen: López-Fresquet, 143.

  P. 226. Matos had summoned: The Matos affair is related in Quirk, 264-79.

  P. 227. The ninety-eighth year: “Mensaje de Navidad de José M. Bosch,” Bacardi Gráfico 4, no. 15 (December 1959), 3.

  P. 228. a “capitalist enemy: Padula, “Fall of the Bourgeoisie,” 316.

  P. 228. Pepín Bosch had concluded: Guillermo Mármol, interview by the author, January 12, 2006, Miami; Manuel Jorge Cutillas, interview by the author, April 2, 2006, Washington, DC.

  P. 228. “Now the time of: Aguilar, “The Curtain Falls,” in Cuba in Revolution, 150-52, originally published in Prensa Libre, May 13, 1960.

  P. 229. After its publication: Luis Aguilar, interview by the author, February 12, 2004, Miami.

  P. 231. “The tyrant Batista: Daniel Bacardi to Tomás Viña, November 5, 1959, Bacardi archives.

  P. 231. Emilio got involved: José “Tito” Argamasilla and Clara María del Valle, interview by the author, Miami, September 27, 2004.

  P. 231. Miranda, having supported: Padula “Fall of the Bourgeoisie,” 316.

  P. 231. Puig, who had lived: Rino Puig, interview by the author, April 14, 2006, Key Biscayne, FL.

  P. 233. Daniel immediately: Daniel Bacardi to Jefe de la Delegación Municipal No. 1 del Departa mento Provincial de Trabajo de Oriente, September 30, 1960, Bacardi archives.

  P. 233. Manuel Jorge Cutillas: Manuel Jorge Cutillas, interview by the author, February 10, 2004, Miami.

  P. 233. “a policy contrary to: “Nacionalizan los bancos y 382 grandes empresas,” Hoy (Havana), October 14, 1960.

  P. 234. The senior officer clutched: Juan Prado, interview by the author, March 12, 2004, Coral Gables, FL.

  P. 236. “Rino, how are you: Rino Puig, interview by the author, April 14, 2006, Key Biscayne, FL.

  P. 238. Even worse for her: Clara María del Valle, interview by the author, June 24, 2004, Coral Gables, FL.

  P. 238. Nationalization resulted: Padula, “Fall of the Bourgeoisie,” 600 -602.

  P. 238. “We’re having some: Manuel Jorge Cutillas, interview by the author, May 21, 2004, Miami.

  P. 239. “Don’t worry: Richard Gardner, interview by the author, May 21, 2004, Miami.

  P. 240. Her teenage daughters: Amelia Comas, interview by the author, January 15, 2004 Arlington, VA.

  P. 242. The first letters: Felicita Lavigne, interview by the author, January 7, 2005, Santiago de Cuba.

  P. 244. “a Marxist-Leninist: Szulc, 568.

  P. 244. “between capitalism: Fidel Castro press conference, July 25, 1960, Havana. Transcript published in Revolución (Havana), July 26, 1960.

  P. 244. “a convinced Marxist-Leninist: Ramonet Leninist, 116.

  P. 244. “Raúl was on the left: Ibid., 123.

  P. 245. Carlos Franqui, a prominent: Franqui, 105.

  P. 245. “I measure the depth: Heikal, 344.

  P. 245. “What do the ones: Fidel Castro speech at the inauguration of the Basic Science and Preclinical Institute, Havana, October 18, 1962.

  Chapter 17. Exile

  P. 247. “to decompress: Jorge Bosch, interview by the author, January 5, 2005, Miami.

  P. 247. an average of about 170: Metro-Dade County Planning Department, Miami, FL, “Background Paper on Cuban Immigration into Dade County,” January 6, 1985.

  P. 250. The court said: Compañía Ron Bacardi, S.A. v. Bank of Nova Scotia, 193 F. Supp. 814, 815 (S.D.N.Y. 1961).

  P. 250. “We have to reestablish: Juan Prado, interviews by the author, June 23, 2004, and April 12, 2006, Miami.

  P. 253. The Bacardi lawyers: Foster, 139.

  P. 253. “That was a product: Enrique Oltuski, interview by the author, September 23, 2004, Havana.

  P. 254. “Oh, it was to be: Juan Grau, interview by the author, July 28, 2004, Miami.

  P. 256. “In the year that the: Maran, 20.

  P. 257. “Fidel Castro: Theodore A. Ediger (Associated Press), “Florida’s Cuban Exile Colony Includes 40 Millionaires,” Washington Post, January 3, 1965.

  P. 257. The company sold 1.7: Foster, 152.

  P. 258. By 1976, annual global sales: “Complex Bacardi Empire Tries Collective Leadership,” New York Times, August 16, 1976.

  P. 258. “A lot of people think: Juan Prado, interview by the author, June 23, 2004, Coral Gables, FL.

  P. 258. In the 1970s, marketing: Dávila, 233.

  P. 259. “Because of Bacardi: Manuel Jorge Cutillas, interview by the author, April 2, 2006, Washington, D.C.

  P. 260. In his affidavit: Advertisement, Life, May 20, 1966, 133.

  Chapter 18. Counterrevolution

  P. 261. “little good to say: State Department memorandum from R. G. Cushing and J. L. Montllor, American Embassy, Mexico, October 11, 1960. “Cuban Industrialist’s Views on Cuba,” Foreign Service Despatch no. 397. Department of State Cuba Series, 737.00/10-1160.

  P. 262. One sees a ferocious-looking: T
aber, 339.

  P. 263. “To Fidel, you are: Matthews, The Cuba Story, 298-99.

  P. 263. “to clarify some: Paid advertisement, New York Times, March 24, 1961, 12.

  P. 264. A report filed by: “Report from AMCLATTER-1,” CIA memo to Chief, Western Hemisphere Division, June 17, 1960, CIA record number 104-10163-10457, JFK Assassination Archive, National Archives.

  P. 264. Among the volunteers: Tony Calatayud, interview by the author, April 12, 2006, Coral Gables, FL.

  P. 265. “A revolution that was not: Fidel Castro, Obra revolucionaria, January 25, 1961 (as quoted in Thomas, 1058fn).

  P. 265. (fn) “but on the contrary: Karl Marx, “The Class Struggles in France, 1848 to 1850,” in Karl Marx and Frederick Engels, Selected Works in Two Volumes (Moscow: Foreign Languages Publishing House, 1958), 1:139.

  P. 266. “Operation Mongoose: The Operation Mongoose plan is laid out in Foreign Relations of the United States (FRUS), vol. 10 (Cuba, 1961-1962), document 157, and elaborated in Bohning.

  P. 266. “silly and stupid: Bohning, 115.

  P. 267. (fn) “I tell you this: Reprinted in Blight, et al, 481-82.

  P. 267. “to obstruct or slow: “Prospects for and Limitations of a Maximum Covert Action Program Against the Castro Communist Regime,” attachment to memorandum from Sterling J. Cottrell to Mr. Johnson, April 18, 1963, CIA record number 178-10004-10202, JFK Assassination Archive, National Archives.

  P. 268. “Bacardi cannot turn: “Bacardi ofrece de 50 a cien mil dólares para tractores,” Diario Las Américas, December 31, 1961, 1.

  P. 268. “Hmmm,” he said: Carlos Bosch, interview by the author, March 16, 2006, Hamilton, Bermuda.

  P. 268. Bosch had a plan: The Bosch bombing plan was described by his associate Jorge Mas Canosa in Vargas Llosa, 60-61.

  P. 268. Without informing anyone: A detailed (though mostly unverified) account of Bosch’s B-26 was published in “Saga of the Bacardi Bomber,” Air Classics, October 2002. The registration history of the aircraft can be found at www.warbirdregistry.org/a26registry/a26-4435918.html and at http://home.att.net/~jbaugher/1944_3.html.

  P. 269. According to a CIA: “Report from AMBUD-1,” March 4, 1963, CIA record number 104- 10236-10178, JFK Assassination Archive, National Archives.

  P. 269. “refineries and power: ”Minutes of the Meeting of the Special Group, 25 April 1963,“ DAVIS record number 178-10004-10203, JFK Assassination Archive, National Archives.

  P. 270. “a nationwide discussion: “Declaration of Purpose of Citizens Committee for a Free Cuba,” published in the Congressional Record 109 (May 1, 1963), 64.

  P. 270. “aid to the Cuban freedom: “Minutes of Membership Meeting,” Citizens Committee for a Free Cuba, June 20, 1963, Rev. John LaFarge SJ Papers, box 3, folder 15, Georgetown University Library, Special Collections Division, Washington, DC.

  P. 270. “frankly disappointed: Senate Committee on the Judiciary, Hearings on Cuban Refugee Problem, 88th Congress, 1st Session. May 22, 1963.

  P. 270. “acts will be performed: “Prospects for and Limitations of a Maximum Covert Action Program Against the Castro Communist Regime,” attachment to memorandum from Sterling J. Cottrell to Mr. Johnson, April 18, 1963, CIA record number 178-10004-10202, JFK Assassination Archive, National Archives.

  P. 271. “believes that a quick: “Plans of Cuban Exiles to Assassinate Selected Cuban Government Leaders,” memorandum from Richard Helms to John McCone, June 10, 1964, DAVIS record number 178-10004-10207, JFK Assassination Archive, National Archives.

  P. 271. A memorandum on the findings: Ibid.

  P. 272. White House aide: “Assassination of Castro,” memorandum from Gordon Chase to McGeorge Bundy, June 15, 1964, Papers of Gordon Chase, JFK Library, National Archives.

  P. 272. Within a week, the: “Plans of Cuban Exiles . . .,” State Department Memorandum from Thomas C. Mann to Mr. Johnson, June 17, 1964, DAVIS record number 178-10004-10206, JFK Assassination Archive, National Archives; see also “Plans of Cuban Exiles . . .,” Justice Department Memorandum from W. C. Sullivan to D. J. Brennan Jr., June 24, 1964, CIA record number 104-10310-10166, JFK Assassination Archive, National Archives.

  P. 272. In July, FBI agents: “Plans of Cuban Exiles to Assassinate Selected Cuban Government Leaders,” July 14, 1964, FBI Document DBA 80042, CIA record number 104-10308-10305.

  P. 272. For his part, Shackley: “Report on Plots to Assassinate Fidel Castro,” CIA Inspector General, May 23, 1967, CIA record number 104-10213-10101, 115-117, JFK Assassination Archive, National Archives.

  P. 273. His idea was to convene: Esteban M. Beruvides, Cuba: Anuario histórico 1963 (Miami: 12th Ave. Graphics, 1995), 215; and Memorandum to Director, FBI, September 11, 1963, FBI record number 124-10290-10078. JFK Assassination Archive, National Archives.

  P. 273. Standing behind a table: “Referéndum para seleccionar la representación de los cubanos exiliados,” Diario Las Américas, November 7, 1963, 1.

  P. 273. After a nine-hour: Esteban M. Beruvides, Cuba: Anuario histórico 1964 (Miami: Colonial Press Internacional, 2000), 1:129.

  P. 274. “pseudo-referendum: “Observaciones sobre el referendum organizado por el Sr. J. M. Bosch,” mimeographed declaration issued by Consejo Revolucionario de Cuba, Miami, January 15, 1964.

  P. 274. “Pepín Bosch’s referendum: “Referendum Finish, Ganó ’Pepín’ Bosch,” Patria (Miami), May 22, 1964, 1.

  P. 274. The RECE directors: “Exiles Seek Funds to Combat Castro,” Miami Herald, May 28, 1964; “New Command for Anti-Castro Cubans?” U.S. News and World Report, June 8, 1964; “Exiles Look to Oliva for Hope,” Miami Herald, June 21, 1964.

  P. 274. “What extra time there: Don Bohning, “Bacardi Boss Leads 3 Lives: Rum, Refugees and Rebellion,” Miami Herald, August 13, 1964.

  P. 275. In August 1964: Don Bohning, “New Exile ’Action’ Group To Make Progress Report,” Miami Herald, August 5, 1964; see also untitled telegram from John Crimmins to Department of State, August 12, 1964, LBJ Library, National Archives.

  P. 275. “think it over: “Talks of Leaders of the Cuban Representation in Exile (RECE) During Visit to Latin American Countries,” CIA cable, TDCS no. DB-315/01135-64, October 23, 1964, LBJ Library, National Archives.

  P. 275. “Oliva and Freyre: “Department of Justice Inquiry—Antonio Cuesta del Valle, Jorge Mas Canosa,” CIA memorandum from Chief, Western Hemisphere Division to Assistant General Counsel, January 15, 1966, CIA record number 104-10244-10076, JFK Assassination Archive, National Archives.

  P. 276. According to a subsequent FBI: “Cuban Representation in Exile (RECE); Internal Security—Cuba; Neutrality Matters,” FBI memorandum, July 13, 1965, file no. 105-8280, LBJ Library, National Archives.

  P. 276. Posada had trained: “Cuban Representation in Exile (RECE); Internal Security—Cuba; Neutrality Matters,” FBI memorandum, July 13, 1965, file no. 105-8280, LBJ Library, National Archives; “Plan of Nestor Gonzalez (or Garcia) to Reenter Cuba to Sabotage a Cuban Train,” memorandum from JMWAVE, July 9, 1965, CIA record number 104-10178-10059, JFK Assassination Archive, National Archives.

  P. 276. Unbeknownst to Mas: Untitled memorandum from JMWAVE to Western Hemisphere Division, CIA headquarters, June 17, 1965, CIA record number 104-10178-10057, JFK Assassination Archive, National Archives.

  P. 276. When he reported: “Plans of the Cuban Representation in Exile (RECE) to Blow up a Cuban or Soviet Vessel in Veracruz, Mexico,” July 1, 1965, CIA record number 104-10178-10060, JFK Assassination Archive, National Archives.

  P. 277. “disengage: Memorandum from JMWAVE, July 24, 1965, CIA record number 104-10178- 10056, JFK Assassination Archive, National Archives.

  P. 277. According to one: Memorandum from “Pete” [Posada] to “Chip,” July 20, 1966, attached to CIA memorandum from Grover T. Lythcott to Chief of Training, July 21, 1966, CIA record number 104-10178-10050, JFK Assassination Archive, National Archives.

  P. 277. Working through his RECE: The story of Mas Canosa’s business development is
from Celia W. Dugger, “Leader’s Zeal Powers Exile Lobby,” Miami Herald, April 10, 1988; Christopher Marquis, “Mas Canosa Dead at 58,” Miami Herald, November 24, 1997; and Vargas Llosa, 63-65.

  P. 277. At Mas’s personal: Evaristo R. Savon, “Crean Comité de 17 Senadores de EE.UU. Para la Lucha Contra Cuba Comunista,” Diario Las Américas, Miami, November 15, 1975, 1.

  P. 277. “La Batalla de: Pérez Castellón, 47.

  P. 277. “We have used: Vargas Llosa, 38.

  P. 278. less of a “warrior: “Assume Maritime Administration Will Refuse to Approve Boat Purchase,” CIA memorandum from JMWAVE, December 12, 1966, CIA record number 104- 10178-10209, JFK Assassination Archive, National Archives.

  P. 278. CIA reestablished contact: Untitled CIA teletype message, October 13, 1976; see “Luis Posada Carriles: The Declassified Record,” National Security Archive Electronic Briefing Book No. 153, National Security Archive, George Washington University.

  P. 278. The two men were subsequently: Extensive documentation supporting allegations that Luis Posada and Orlando Bosch were involved in the Cubana bombing and the Letelier assassination is available at the Web site of the National Security Archive (www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/index.html): “Luis Posada Carriles: The Declassified File” and “The Posada File: Part II.” Bosch and Posada were founders of the Cuban exile organization known as Coordi nación de Organizaciones Revolucionarias Unidas (CORU), Coordination of United Revolutionary Organization, an umbrella association that brought together several militantly anti-Castro groups. U.S. government reports later implicated CORU operatives in the Letelier bombing.

  P. 278. (fn) When the violently anti-Castro militant: Memorandum from FBI Special Agent in Charge, San Juan, to FBI Director, July 9, 1975, FBI record number 124-10279-10050, JFK Assassination Archive, National Archives.

  P. 279. (fn) In a 1984 interview: Cassette recording of interview with Pepín Bosch by José Ignacio Rasco on “La Universidad del Aire,” Radio Martí, 1984 (broadcast date unknown).

  P. 279. “Memories of an Ex-Finance: Pepín Bosch, “Recuerdos de un Ex-Ministro de Hacienda,” Diario Las Américas, August 27, 1984.