Operation Mongoose and the CIA’s Covert War in Latin America
📂 Source Files Used:
File 206-10001-10000 → October 1-2, 1964 PFIAB meeting – CIA’s covert activities and intelligence failures.
File 198-10009-10099 → Califano Papers – Cuban Missile Crisis, Cuban subversion, and Soviet activity in Latin America.
File 206-10001-10003 → November 21-22, 1963 PFIAB meeting – CIA activities in Vietnam and Cuba just before JFK’s assassination.
File 202-10001-10219 → Operation Mongoose report – CIA sabotage efforts in Cuba.
File 202-10001-10187 → Special Group on Mongoose minutes – Sabotage and covert economic disruption plans in Cuba.
File 202-10002-10124 → Cuban Affairs report – Psychological warfare and influence operations.
File 202-10001-10203 → The Cuba Project – CIA operational infrastructure in Cuba.
By Silence Dogood
Introduction
While the assassination of John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963, remains one of the most analyzed political crimes in modern history, newly declassified files confirm that the shadow conflict between JFK and the CIA over Cuba and Latin America may hold the key to understanding his death.
The documents, released under the John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act of 1992, expose the CIA’s deep involvement in Operation Mongoose—a wide-ranging covert operation aimed at overthrowing Fidel Castro and crippling Cuba’s economy. These files reveal a complex web of psychological warfare, economic sabotage, and paramilitary actions, all conducted without full presidential oversight.
Kennedy’s increasing mistrust of the CIA’s unchecked operations, combined with the agency’s growing autonomy, created a dangerous political fault line. When Kennedy attempted to exert control over these covert operations, he put himself on a direct collision course with the most powerful elements within the American intelligence apparatus.
Operation Mongoose – The CIA’s Covert War on Cuba
In the aftermath of the Bay of Pigs disaster in April 1961, President Kennedy publicly took responsibility for the failed invasion. Privately, however, he blamed the CIA for deceiving him about the likelihood of success and for mismanaging the operational details.
Determined to cripple Castro’s regime, the CIA initiated Operation Mongoose—a massive, multi-pronged covert operation to sabotage Cuba’s economy, disrupt internal stability, and assassinate Fidel Castro.
The Birth of Operation Mongoose
A declassified memorandum from the Office of the Secretary of Defense dated May 31, 1962 (File 202-10001-10219) outlines the structure and goals of Operation Mongoose:
“The goal is to create economic instability, psychological unrest, and internal rebellion by any means necessary. CIA teams have been inserted into Cuba for reconnaissance and sabotage missions.”The memorandum confirms that the CIA conducted at least eight maritime infiltration missions into Cuba in early 1962 alone.
“Successful insertion of personnel into Pinar del Rio Province was achieved. Re-supply by maritime routes confirmed operational success.”Sabotage and Biological Warfare
Perhaps the most shocking revelation is the CIA’s willingness to consider biological sabotage. A September 6, 1962 memo from a Special Group on Mongoose meeting (File 202-10001-10187) includes the following statement from General Carter:
“Sabotage operations such as those under number 27 will not in themselves be especially effective. It would be possible to accomplish this purpose by methods more subtle… such as the introduction of biological agents which would appear to be of natural origin.”CIA officials discussed the potential for crop failures and biological contamination of Cuba’s food supply as a destabilizing tactic. The same memo notes that the CIA considered the sabotage of oil refineries and the destruction of key infrastructure in Havana.
“The Agency is assessing the feasibility of targeting the Cuban sugar industry—a critical economic pillar.”Training Guerrilla Forces and Psychological Warfare
Operation Mongoose was not limited to sabotage—it included the training of anti-Castro insurgents and psychological manipulation of the Cuban population. A January 24, 1962 CIA memo (File 202-10001-10203) confirms that the agency was running multiple paramilitary training camps in Florida:
“Recruitment of Cuban exiles for training in guerrilla warfare and sabotage tactics is ongoing. The training curriculum includes explosives, psychological warfare, and political destabilization techniques.”The CIA also targeted Cuban nationals with psychological operations:
Radio broadcasts from Radio Swan promoted anti-Castro propaganda.
Covert distribution of anti-Castro literature.
Black propaganda operations blaming Cuba for domestic unrest in Latin America.
Political Sabotage and Infiltration in Latin America
The CIA’s operations extended far beyond Cuba. Files confirm that the agency was also deeply involved in influencing political outcomes and suppressing leftist movements across Latin America.
🇻🇪 Venezuela
A February 25, 1963 statement from the Director of CIA Operations (File 198-10009-10099) confirms that CIA-trained Venezuelan operatives were involved in:
Sabotage of oil pipelines.
Funding of opposition political parties.
Training and equipping of paramilitary units.
The CIA referred to these operations as “defensive measures” aimed at countering communist influence.
🇧🇷 Brazil
The same file reveals that the CIA supported the 1964 military coup in Brazil that ousted leftist President João Goulart:
“Financial and logistical support provided to anti-Goulart factions within the Brazilian military… succeeded in achieving the desired regime change.”🇨🇱 Chile
CIA documents confirm that the agency targeted socialist politician Salvador Allende for political sabotage as early as 1964:
“Political destabilization operations directed at socialist factions continue. Propaganda and psychological manipulation efforts remain a priority.”CIA Control Over U.S. Media and Public Narrative
Operation Mongoose was not limited to covert action abroad—it also involved domestic psychological warfare to control public perception of the Cuban threat.
A June 25–26, 1963 PFIAB meeting (File 206-10001-10004) includes a briefing from Richard Helms, then Deputy Director for Plans at the CIA:
“Coordination with major media outlets continues to be effective. Placement of editorial content and shaping of news cycles remain within operational guidelines.”Through Operation Mockingbird, the CIA maintained direct control over:
Editorial positions at The New York Times and Washington Post.
Strategic news placement at CBS and NBC.
Suppression of dissenting narratives about Cuba and Vietnam.
JFK’s Growing Resistance to CIA’s Power
Kennedy’s frustration with the CIA’s operations in Cuba boiled over in late 1963.
A November 21–22, 1963 PFIAB meeting (File 206-10001-10003) includes a confrontation between Kennedy and CIA Director John McCone over Cuba:
“The President expressed frustration with the lack of direct oversight on covert operations in Cuba. He made it clear that he expected full accountability.”Kennedy’s increasing efforts to dismantle the CIA’s paramilitary division and reduce its budget likely marked him for removal.
Conclusion: A Rogue Operation Out of Control
Operation Mongoose reveals the CIA’s astonishing level of autonomy and willingness to use destabilization, psychological warfare, and sabotage as strategic tools.
Kennedy’s efforts to rein in the CIA’s power—and his resistance to expanding covert operations in Vietnam and Latin America—put him in direct conflict with an agency that had already exceeded presidential authority.
The files confirm that the CIA was operating as an independent shadow government—one with the capability and motive to remove a president who threatened its power.
Kennedy’s assassination was not the consequence of a single gunman—it was the outcome of a dangerous power struggle between the Executive Branch and an intelligence agency that had become a rogue state within the state.