Top Cuban spy defects, comes to U.S. for debriefing

Miami Herald ^ | April 10, 2002 | JUAN O. TAMAYO jtamayo@herald.com

[Cincinatus' Wife]

A top Cuban spy who defected in Panama last month has been brought to the United States for debriefings by CIA officials on Havana intelligence operations in Canada, the U.S. and Panama, U.S. officials say.

Orlando Brito Pestana was expelled in 1994 from Canada, among Cuba's top intelligence outposts because of its access to the unguarded U.S. border. He was later vetoed by the FBI when Havana tried to appoint him to the Cuban Interests Section in Washington in 1996, the officials said.

Brito was working undercover as Cuba's commercial attache in Panama when he defected with his wife and two daughters on March 27. He was flown to the United States two days later, Panamanian security officials said.

U.S. officials said Brito could provide a wealth of information on Cuban intelligence operations in Canada, including those aimed at the United States, and Havana efforts to dodge the U.S. trade embargo by buying U.S. products through front companies and independently owned firms in Panama.

[cake_crumb]

Maybe he's just escaping Jimmy "The Peanut Man" Carter.

[TigerLikesRooster]

Does he have any information regarding how much help Castro gave to Arab Jihadists, logistically or technically ? Allegation to that effect has been floating around here. It would be nice to prove or disprove it. It it is true, uncle Fidel may not the president-for-life.

[TigerLikesRooster]

Re #4

"It it is true, uncle Fidel may not the president-for-life." ---->
"If it is true, uncle Fidel may not be the president-for-life any more."

[Bernard Marx]

I'd put any purported Cuban spy "defector" through the most rigorous tests known. If he's the real article, great news. If he's not, he could do a lot of damage given the terrible track records of our own "intelligence" services lately.

[Blackyce]

It must be hard for these Cuban guys to go undercover, what with the mustache and all.

[aculeus]

Bump.

[firebrand]

How nice of the U.S. officials to announce this to everyone! Don't they read spy novels?

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Cuba Backs Canadian Convicted Over U.S. Embargo**** In a case likely to widen the dispute between Washington and Ottawa over ties with Cuba -- Canada opposes the embargo and is one of Havana's major trade partners Sabzali was convicted on 20 counts of violating the U.S. Trading With the Enemy Act and one count of conspiracy****

[Cincinatus' Wife]

FYI

[GuillermoX]

Plus we all smell like cigars, are very loud and hot tempered.

[happygrl]

Agreed. He may be here to sow disinformation.

[Blackyce]

You forgot about the dancing and music.

[general_re]

Although if he's the real deal, he migh have some insight into how much damage that tw*t at the DIA did, and what she passed to the Cubans...

[LarryLied]

Bet he was waiting for Clinton to leave office and Gore defeated before defecting.