</s>104-102-18-10007 2025 RELEASE UNDER THE PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY ASSASSINATION RECORDS ACT OF 1992 MATERIAL REVIEWED AT CIA HEADQUARTERS BY HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE ON ASSASSINTATIONS STAFF MEMBERS FILE TITLE/NUMBER/VOLUME: LEDNOU, NIKOLAY SORREYENICH 301-132139 VOL II INCLUSIVE DATES: CUSTODIAL UNIT/LOCATION: ROOM: DELETONS, IF ANY: THIRD AGENCY DOCUMENTS DATE DATE RECEIVED RETURNED REVIEWED BY (PRINT NAME) SIGNATURE OF REVIEWING OFFIC NOT REVIEWed BY ISCA. NO DOCUMENTS MAY BE COPIED OR REMOVED FROM THIS FILE

Summary  
The documents detail extensive Soviet intelligence activities in Latin America during the 1960s, focusing on operations in Mexico, Colombia, Peru, and Cuba. Key figures include Nikolay Sergeyevich Leonov, a Soviet press attaché in Mexico City, who facilitated communication and financial support for leftist groups such as the Communist Party of Colombia (PCC) and Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). The Soviets allegedly provided funding up to $200,000 USD to subversive organizations, with Leonov coordinating travel arrangements for Guatemalan exiles seeking transit to the USSR. Soviet intelligence networks engaged in covert operations, including surveillance by U.S. agencies, and maintained ties with Cuban officials. Documents reference diplomatic tensions between the USSR and Latin American nations, as well as internal Soviet directives for managing intelligence operations. No direct information about John F. Kennedy’s assassination or related investigations is present in these records.  

Key People  
- **Nikolay Sergeyevich Leonov (201-1313)**: Soviet press attaché in Mexico City, identified as a KGB officer involved in facilitating contacts with Latin American communists and funding subversive groups.  
- **Jorge Alberto Cardoza**: Guatemalan communist operative linked to Leonov for arranging travel of exiles to the USSR.  
- **Jose Luis Lucis Balcarcel Ordonnez**: Guatemalan communist associated with transit arrangements for individuals to the USSR.  
- **Karen Avenovich Kachaturov**: Soviet citizen met by Leonov in Mexico in 1968.  
- **Oldrich Novicky**: Czech national potentially traveling to Mexico on a CUBANA flight (June 1965), though his presence at the airport remains unconfirmed.  
- **Boris Aleksandrovich Kazanzarov**: Soviet diplomat in Mexico City involved in intelligence operations.  
- **Pacho**: Colombian citizen associated with PCC/FARC funding activities.  
- **Morino**: Colombian official linked to subversive networks.  

Key Locations  
- **Mexico City**: Central hub for Soviet intelligence operations, including Leonov’s residence (Mazatán 206) and the Soviet Press Office.  
- **Bogota, Colombia**: Site of PCC/FARC activities and U.S. intelligence monitoring.  
- **Guatemala City**: Mentioned as a location for communist operatives coordinating travel to the USSR.  
- **Havana, Cuba**: Linked to Soviet-Cuban collaboration in intelligence operations.  
- **Moscow**: Reference point for Leonov’s planned transfer and operational directives.  

Key Events  
- **Leonov’s surveillance**: U.S. intelligence requested discreet unilateral surveillance of Leonov due to his role in facilitating contacts with Latin American communists.  
- **Guatemalan exiles’ travel arrangements**: Leonov coordinated trips for six Guatemalans to attend a school in the USSR, providing financial support (G20 dollars).  
- **Soviet funding of PCC/FARC**: Documents reference operational directives for Leonov’s replacement and his ongoing role in Central American affairs.  
- **Transfer of $70,000 USD by Pacho**: Allocated to Colombian officials in 1968 for subversive activities.  
- **Unconfirmed reports of Novicky’s travel**: Potential movement to Mexico on a CUBANA flight (June 1965).  
- **Monitoring of Soviet-Cuban influence**: U.S. intelligence efforts to track Soviet diplomatic and financial influence in Latin America.  

Key Organizations  
- **KGB (Soviet Union)**: Leonov identified as a KGB officer with responsibilities in counterintelligence and liaison operations.  
- **Communist Party of Colombia (PCC)**: Linked to funding and operational directives via Leonov’s network.  
- **Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC)**: Mentioned in context of Soviet financial support and guerrilla activities.  
- **Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)**: Involved in monitoring Soviet activities in Mexico and Latin America.  
- **Soviet Press Office**: Leonov’s workplace, facilitating communications between Guatemalan communists and Soviet entities.  
- **Soviet diplomatic networks**: Operations in Mexico City and other Latin American locations.

JFK Declassified Files

104-10218-10007.pdf

Document Summary

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