ACTIVITIES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HABANA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00810A002300600008-2
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 27, 2004
• Sequence Number: 8
• Publication Date: September 22, 1953
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2004/07/08 : CIA-RDP80-0081OA002300600008-2,...``y
CE.NTRAL_INT.E..LLI.GENCE AGENCY
INFORMATION REPORT
CONFIDENTIAL
25X
SUBJECT Activities at the University
of Habana
25X1
This Document contains information affecting the Na-
tional Defense of the United States, within the mean-
ing of Title 18, Sections 793 and 794, of the U.S. Code, as
amended. Its transmission or revelation of its contents
to or receipt by an unauthorized person Is prohibited
by law. The reproduction of this form Is prohibited.
REPORT NO.
DATE DISTR.
NO. OF PAGES
REQUIREMENT NO.
REFERENCES
THE SOURCE EVALUATIONS IN THIS REPORT ARE DEF)NITIVE.
THE APPRAISAL OF CONTENT IS TENTATIVE.
(FOR KEY SEE REVERSE)
25X1
22 September 1953
1
25X1
25X1 1. On 11 August 1953 a number of strangers gathered at the Plaza Cadenas of the
University of Habana in Cuba. University students were of the opinion that
these persons were BATISTA agents who had been sent to start a riot which would
justify police interference in the University. The presence of these persons
was one of the reasons why the University Council,, which fears that the gcvern-
m.ent, is looking for any justification to take over. the University, suspended
all classes from 12-17 August. The council also banned_Federacion Estudiantil
Universitaria (FEU) activities until further notice, including a meeting
scheduled for 12 August, in the university auditorium, to commemorate the fall
of the MACHADO dictatorship and to build up enthusiasm among students to con-
tinue the fight against the BATISTA dictatorship.
2. Alvaro BARBA, former president of the FEU,, and three other FEU members strongly
criticized the local press for its passive attitude toward the present govern-
ment censorship. On 12 -'ugust 1953 the Cuban police arrested Joaquin PELAEZ
Canalleda9 president of, the FEU; Alvaro BARBA, Armando COMESANAS Hendon, Jose
HIDALGO Peraza, Fidel GONZALEZ Ruiz, and Alfredo GUEVARA, all leaders of the
FLU. Other FEU members avoided arrest by taking refuge in the University of
Habana, where, because of the institution's autonomy., the police do not enter.
The students of the University, however, are concerned with the new system being
used by police to arrest students. Current police tactics involve the forced
entrance into a student's home or room at two or three a.m. and manhandling
the student under arrest.
3. Although summer classes at the University were completed by 17 August, students
from the University and other Habana institutions continued to gather at the
University for meetings. However, students are; avoiding street demonstrations
because the'FEU believes that the time has come to replace these demonstrations
with revolut:i,onary action.
4. There are many rumors at the University concerning the "revolution" which is going
to take place, and in this connection Professor Raul ROA has been mentioned as
minister of the new government.
STATE :,X ARMY I X INAVY
$ AIR X FBI X AEC
(Note: Washington Distribution Indicated By "X": Field Distribution By "#".)
Approved For Release 2004/07/08 : CIA-RDP80-0081OA002300600008-2