It is with deep concern that I, as the head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), need to engage you in a serious foreign affairs situation so early in your new presidency. You are fully aware of the overall concerns in Cuba from your security briefings, but I need to bring to your attention our uneasiness over Cuba and Prime Minister Fidel Castro’s forceful move towards communism.
First, you know we were never pleased at Castro’s rise to power. Yet, although we were suspicious of his intentions, we were initially hopeful that the overthrow of Batista would bring positive changes that can come from regime change. Nonetheless, Castro has shown us that he is at least socialist by nature, if not communist. In fact, his Revolutionary Forces have …show more content…
CIA covert action. This final option is not endorsed by the JCS committee, but has been included at the request of the CIA Director, Allen Dulles, and the CIA Deputy Director for Plans, Richard Bissell. They suggest overthrowing Castro by way of a CIA covert operation. The CIA would employ a U.S.-trained guerrilla force comprised of Cuban exiles who will recruit, train, and mobilize a rebel army in Cuba to revolt and support an invasion. The guerrilla force would be deployed to Cuba from Guatemala and Nicaragua. The opposition would use propaganda to spread its message via radio signals. One of the benefits of this option is to not appear to be a U.S. operation, at least initially. They claim the costs are high, but the outcome could be the best of all options.
Recommendation. The JCS committee recommends Option 6, “Unilateral Invasion” for maximum force and control. Allowing outside forces, such as volunteers, exiles, and Cubans, to operate on the U.S.’s behalf is asking for trouble. The U.S. military is trained to handle invasion operations and should be in full control of such actions. Nobody outside of the U.S. military should risk being captured or killed doing the work of the U.S. fighting against communism in Cuba or any other
First, you know we were never pleased at Castro’s rise to power. Yet, although we were suspicious of his intentions, we were initially hopeful that the overthrow of Batista would bring positive changes that can come from regime change. Nonetheless, Castro has shown us that he is at least socialist by nature, if not communist. In fact, his Revolutionary Forces have …show more content…
CIA covert action. This final option is not endorsed by the JCS committee, but has been included at the request of the CIA Director, Allen Dulles, and the CIA Deputy Director for Plans, Richard Bissell. They suggest overthrowing Castro by way of a CIA covert operation. The CIA would employ a U.S.-trained guerrilla force comprised of Cuban exiles who will recruit, train, and mobilize a rebel army in Cuba to revolt and support an invasion. The guerrilla force would be deployed to Cuba from Guatemala and Nicaragua. The opposition would use propaganda to spread its message via radio signals. One of the benefits of this option is to not appear to be a U.S. operation, at least initially. They claim the costs are high, but the outcome could be the best of all options.
Recommendation. The JCS committee recommends Option 6, “Unilateral Invasion” for maximum force and control. Allowing outside forces, such as volunteers, exiles, and Cubans, to operate on the U.S.’s behalf is asking for trouble. The U.S. military is trained to handle invasion operations and should be in full control of such actions. Nobody outside of the U.S. military should risk being captured or killed doing the work of the U.S. fighting against communism in Cuba or any other