CUBAN REVOLUTION THREATENED

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP91T01172R000200330017-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 16, 2003
• Sequence Number: 17
• Publication Date: September 24, 1953
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2003105/283JUDIMM T01 ROQ0200330017-7
OCI No. 8460
Copy No. 9
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
OFFICE OF CURRENT INTELLIGENCE
24 September 1953
CUBAN REVOLUTION THREATENED
There is considerable popular opposition to the Batista
regime, but heretofore the army has been considered sufficiently
loyal to bar any successful revolutionary attempt. Whether or
not the present disaffection in the armed services is sufficient
to pose a threat to Batista is not yet clear.
There has, however, been increasing evidence of late
that members of the armed forces are associated with various
revolutionary factions, some of which are in alliance with
the group of anti-Batista exiles headed by ex-President Carlos
Prio Socarras, who was deposed by Batista in March 1952. That
Batista is aware of the deterioration of loyalty and is willing
to take extreme measures to maintain control is indicated by
the arrests of more than 50 service personnel since 20 Septem-
ber. There was also an unprecedented police raid on the campus
of the University of Havana on 23 September.
Nevertheless, Batista has, particularly since his sus-
pension of civil liberties following the abortive revolt of
26 July at Santiago de Cuba, claimed the complete loyalty of
the armed forces.
Although the groups opposed to Batista are not united,
there has been considerable unanimity in the demand for
elections under the constitution of 1940 and the electoral
code of 1943, both replaced by Batista's statutes. The Frio
group, which includes leaders of Cuba's two largest political
parties, hopes to reinstall Prio for the balance
of his term-
fl~earn~nt~, _ _
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