MEDIA REPORTS ON CUBAN INTELLIGENCE ACTIVITIES IN

S E C R E T NASSAU 001566

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR WHA/CAR RCBUDDEN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/05/2016
TAGS: PINR PREL CU BF
SUBJECT: MEDIA REPORTS ON CUBAN INTELLIGENCE ACTIVITIES IN
BAHAMAS

Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Brent Hardt for reasons 1.4(b),
(c) and (d).


1. (S/NF) SUMMARY: Local media sources have reported the
presence of at least five Cuban intelligence officers in The
Bahamas. The operatives, allegedly working undercover in
Bahamian retail establishments and with Havantur, are
reportedly gathering intelligence regarding Cuban-Americans
in The Bahamas, Cuban migrants transiting to the United
States, and Bahamian officials, business persons and other
travelers to Cuba. One report says that the Cuban embassy
purchases operative access to The Bahamas in return for
provision of financial benefits to Bahamian government
officials. Additionally, sources indicate that Hulmut
Domenech Gonzalez, a former officer in the Cuba Interest
Section in Washington before his expulsion for espionage in
2003, worked for Cuban intelligence in The Bahamas in 2003
and 2004. END SUMMARY.


2. (S/NF) The Tribune, a well-respected local newspaper, has
written a series of articles critical of Cuba, including
articles regarding Cuban intelligence activities in The
Bahamas. On October 5, 2006, Poloff spoke with Paul
Turnquest, a reporter with The Tribune and a trusted embassy
contact, regarding the articles. According to Turnquest, the
Tribune received a series of calls from multiple sources
regarding Cuban intelligence activities beginning in
September. The sources were initially not well-known to The
Tribune, but according to Turnquest, "a reliable source with
direct knowledge gave us confirmation of Cuban intelligence
activities this week that justified reporting today."

3. (S/NF) Poloff met with Tribune Managing Editor John
Marquis on October 10 as part of ongoing human rights and
elections monitoring. During the meeting, Poloff raised the
Tribune articles regarding Cuban espionage. Marquis said he
personally drafted the articles with staff, and reaffirmed
his confidence in well-placed sources in the local Cuban
community. Marquis said he was working on additional
articles, including one regarding a former high-ranking Cuban
military official, currently married to a Bahamian man, who
is involved in espionage activity in Nassau.


4. (S/NF) According to Turnquest and Marquis, at least five
Cuban agents working undercover primarily in Nassau retail
businesses, including Havanatur, are gathering intelligence
about Cuban-Americans in The Bahamas, Cuban migrants
transiting The Bahamas and Bahamian officials, business
persons and other travelers to Cuba. "Their primary aim is
to track Cubans from Miami who use Nassau as a staging post
on the way to Havana," said Marquis, "but local politicians,
business people and media figures are also (targets)."
Marquis and Turnquest noted that "Cubans use women and 'a
good time' to compromise Bahamian politicians and others in
an effort to get them over to their side."


5. (S/NF) Tribune sources also say that Hulmut Domenech
Gonzalez worked as an Cuban operative in Nassau in 2003 and
2004, apparently under a work permit issued by the Bahamian
Government. Mr. Gonzalez allegedly worked at Havantur
primarily to gather intelligence regarding Mr. Nelson Garcia,
another Havantur employee who was thought to have contacts in
the Miami Cuban community and intended to migrate to Florida.
The Tribune reported that Mr. Gonzalez came to Nassau in
2003 -- shortly after his expulsion from the United States
for espionage activity -- and stayed for up to one year.


6. (S/NF) In an October 16 article, The Tribune separately
reported claims by Bahamian resident Dr. Jose Lopez that the
Cuban embassy is systematically gaining operative access to
The Bahamas by provision of free Cuban travel and
accommodations to Bahamian officials. Lopez claims that the
Bahamas location, growing economy and financial sector make
it an attractive location for Cuban intelligence.


7. (S/NF) COMMENT: The Bahamas sits between the US and
Cuba both geographically and politically. The Bahamian
government continually struggles, with mixed success, to
balance its relations between the two nations, and to meet
the challenges posed by its unavoidable role as a transit
point between Cuba and the U.S. The presence of a Cuban
Embassy and a vocal minority of pro-Castro leftists in a
relatively open country offer an attractive environment for

Cuban operatives. The regular presence of Miami Cubans in
The Bahamas for leisure and to visit illegal Cuban migrants
at Nassau's Carmichael Road Detention Center also adds
elements of interest for Cuban intelligence. END COMMENT.
ROOD