</s>124-1024-10171 2025 RELEASE UNDER THE PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY ASSASSINATION RECORDS ACT OF 1992 JFK Assassination System Date: 6/8/2015 Identification Form Agency Information AGENCY: FBI FBI RECORD NUMBER: 124-10284-10171 RECORD SERIES: HQ AGENCY FILE NUMBER : CR 105-8327-1-1 Document Information ORIGINATOR: FBI FROM: BARRON, JOHN R. TO: DIRECTOR, FBI TITLE: DATE: 12/3/1959 PAGES: 18 SUBJECTS: EPE, INTV, INVITV, ARVIER, MARIA MARIA JOSEFA MENDIZABAL, AKA, EMP: RES, ASSOC, POLIT, INTEL ACT DOCUMENT TYPE: PAPER, TEXTUAL DOCUMENT CLASSIFICATION: Secret RESTRICTIONS: Secret CURRENT STATUS: CURRENT REVIEW: Redact DATE OF LAST REVIEW : 06/03/1998 06/03//1998 OPENING CRITERIA: INDEPENITE, APPROVAL OF INS, CIA COMMENTS: INDEPENITIVE, APPROVAL OF INS. CIA REFERRED TO INS . - - . . . . . . . V-1 13 NW 52333 DocId: 32303659 Page 1

Summary  
This document is an FBI investigative report dated December 1, 1959, concerning Maria Josefa Mendizabal (also known as Arvillier), a Cuban national who worked as a secretary for ex-Venezuelan president Marcos Perez Jimenez. The report details her employment with Perez Jimenez, her alleged connections to Cuban intelligence activities, and interactions with U.S. and Cuban officials. It includes information about her visa status, travel history, and interviews conducted by FBI agents in Miami, Florida. The document references CIA involvement and notes that Mendizabal was granted an O-1 visa in 1957, arriving in the U.S. on February 20, 1957. It also mentions her alleged attempts to contact Cuban officials in Havana and her association with Alberto Bayo Jr., a figure linked to Cuban intelligence operations. The report concludes that Mendizabal was not found to be actively engaged in Cuban intelligence activities at the time of the investigation.  

Key People  
- **Maria Josefa Mendizabal** (also known as Arvillier): Cuban national, former secretary to ex-Venezuelan president Marcos Perez Jimenez, subject of FBI and CIA investigations.  
- **Marcos Perez Jimenez**: Former Venezuelan president, for whom Mendizabal worked as a secretary.  
- **Alberto Bayo Jr.**: Individual linked to Cuban intelligence activities; Mendizabal was associated with him.  
- **John R. Barron**: FBI special agent involved in the investigation.  
- **Dr. Carlos Siso** and **Ines Davilla**: Individuals connected to Mendizabal’s network, mentioned as acquaintances or associates.  

Key Locations  
- **Miami, Florida**: Site of interviews with Mendizabal and related investigative activities.  
- **Havana, Cuba**: Location of Mendizabal’s alleged connections to Cuban intelligence and her place of birth.  
- **New York, New York**: Mentioned in the context of immigration records and administrative processes.  

Key Events  
- **October 9, 1959**: FBI agents initiated an investigation into Mendizabal’s activities, including her contact with Alberto Bayo Jr. and alleged ties to Cuban intelligence.  
- **December 1, 1959**: The report was finalized, noting that Mendizabal was not found to be actively involved in Cuban intelligence operations at the time.  
- **February 20, 1957**: Mendizabal arrived in the U.S. on an O-1 visa, with records indicating no further entries or exits during 1958–1959.  
- **August 15, 1959**: Mendizabal traveled to the U.S. aboard Cubana Airlines, arriving in Miami.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted the investigation and provided detailed records on Mendizabal’s activities.  
- **Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)**: Mentioned as having no objection to the release of information related to this case.  
- **Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS)**: Handled immigration records, including Mendizabal’s visa status and travel history.

JFK Declassified Files

124-10284-10171.pdf

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