</s>104-10103-10350 2025 RELEASE UNDER THE PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY ASSASSINATION RECORDS ACT OF 1992 SECRET 14 January 1977. MEMORANDUM SUBJECT: Jose Ricardo RABEL Nunez (AMLEO-53) (201-249386) 1. Born 7 April 1922 in Havana, Cuba, the son of a native-born American citizen, RABELL was brought up in comfort- table circumstances. He attended high school in Cuba, com- pleted the last year in New Orleans, Louisiana, and entered Tulane University in September 1938. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in December 1940 and eventually saw combat in France, Belgium, Germany and Austria. After discharge in December 1945, RABEL returned to Cuba to attend the University of Havana and this began a life of job changes, moving back and forth between the U ., and Cuba, and, in general, rootless living. 2. RABELS' background reads like that of a man with no alllegiances or loyalty and no particular goals. Viewed in retrospect, his career presents a picture of unreliability. It is probable that RABBL's rootlessness and apparent unreliability applied both to his relations with CASTRO and to those with the Agency. It is quite possible, therefore, that he not only served the Agency in a superficial way but that he did the same for CASTRo at various times when it suited his purposes. Without postulating this sort of dual role (one which fits very well with his previous life) it is almost impossible to explain some of the reasonably good things he did for the Agency and the quite certain allegations that he was a CASTROO agent. This explanation is not fully satis- factory, but it does explain his career better than the charge SECRET

Summary: The document details the background, activities, and alleged affiliations of Jose Ricardo Rabel Nunez (AMLEO-53), a Cuban national involved in clandestine operations during the Cold War. Born in Havana in 1922 to an American citizen father, Rabel served in the U.S. Army during World War II and later moved between Cuba and the United States. He participated in anti-Batista activities from 1952, including work with the Cuban General Staff and the 26th of July Movement. After Castro's victory in 1959, Rabel held positions in the Cuban government until defecting to the U.S. in 1962. The text notes his alleged dual role as a potential Castro agent and his involvement in operations such as AMTRUNK, including recruitment efforts and intelligence activities. His cooperation with the DSE (Cuban intelligence) during imprisonment is suggested by his early release from a 30-year sentence in 1967. Accusations of being a Castro agent date back to July 1963, though his motivations for defection include Communist pressure and personal circumstances.  

Key People: Jose Ricardo Rabel Nunez (AMLEO-53), Alfonso Rodriguez, Fidel Castro, Camilo Cienfuegos, CITAMIL-9, Fernando Rey, VASSLOUCH-1, DSE (Cuban intelligence).  

Key Locations: Havana, Cuba; New Orleans, Louisiana; Tulane University; United States; Paris.  

Key Events: Rabel's participation in anti-Batista activities from 1952, his role in the Cuban General Staff and 26th of July Movement, defection to the U.S. in 1962, involvement in AMTRUNK operations (including recruitment of AMTRUNK-10), alleged cooperation with DSE during imprisonment, and accusations of being a Castro agent from July 1963.  

Key Organizations: Cuban General Staff, 26th of July Movement, Cuban government (post-1959), U.S. Army, AMTRUNK Operation, DSE (Cuban intelligence).

JFK Declassified Files

104-10103-10350.pdf

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