Synthesizing open-source information about Cuba's politico-military affairs.

Cuba and Terrorism

The U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Counterterrorism has released its annual Country Reports on Terrorism for 2012, and lists Cuba with the following entry:

Cuba was designated as a State Sponsor of Terrorism in 1982. Reports in 2012 suggested that the Cuban government was trying to distance itself from Basque Fatherland and Liberty (ETA) members living on the island by employing tactics such as not providing services including travel documents to some of them. The Government of Cuba continued to provide safe haven to approximately two dozen ETA members.

In past years, some members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) were allowed safe haven in Cuba and safe passage through Cuba. In November, the Government of Cuba began hosting peace talks between the FARC and Government of Colombia.

There was no indication that the Cuban government provided weapons or paramilitary training to terrorist groups.

The Cuban government continued to harbor fugitives wanted in the United States. The Cuban government also provided support such as housing, food ration books, and medical care for these individuals.

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has identified Cuba as having strategic anti-money laundering/combating the financing of terrorism deficiencies. In 2012, Cuba became a member of the Financial Action Task Force of South America against Money Laundering, a FATF-style regional body. With this action, Cuba has committed to adopting and implementing the FATF Recommendations.

“Russia’s military cooperation with Havana is determined by the modest financial possibilities of our partners.”

– Alexandr Fomín, deputy director of the Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation. El Diario. [H/T: Capitol Hill Cubans.]

Cuban spy network in the U.S. Gov’t

Stratfor examines Cuban intelligence’s penetration of the U.S. government:

The [Martha Rita] Velazquez case, when studied in conjunction with those of [Ana Belen] Montes and Walter and Gwendolyn Myers, provides a fascinating window into the scope and nature of Cuban intelligence efforts inside the United States.

39715:

Very clear capture of HM01, lots of numbers at the beginning, data bursts at the end.

A lot of listeners are catching up with this Cuban numbers station lately, myself included.

Cuba apparently has a lot to say to it’s nationals abroad.