by Jorge L. García Vazquez
General José Abrantes' visit to Berlin in 1987 was marked by the situation in the USSR following Gorbachev's reformist policies, Perestroika Glasnost, and the war in Angola and Panama. These three political and economic factors had a significant influence on Cuba.
At the end of 1989, the Cuban regime lost not only its allies in Eastern Europe but also a strong commercial and operationally very strategic partner: Panama. In 1989, General Abrantes was dismissed and subsequently sentenced to prison, where he died. Earlier, during the notorious Case No. 1/89 trial, General Arnaldo Ochoa, Colonel Antonio de La Guardia, and two other officers were executed by firing squad.
The following are excerpts from the interview between the Minister of State Security of the former GDR, General Erich Mielke, and General José Abrantes.
Mielke: Warm greetings from Erich Honecker. I told him there are a lot of questions, the answers to which we need to hear from the Minister. Thank you for the support you've provided to our comrades stationed in Cuba...
Abrantes: First of all, I'm very happy to be visiting your sister country. I'm very happy every time I can visit you. That's why you see me here so often. Special greetings from Comrade Raúl Castro. He always remembers you with great affection. Although he told me that sometimes there were minor disputes, these were fraternal and constructive disputes. On November 3rd, I left Cuba. On November 4th, I had a transit stay in Berlin and we had a Berlin lunch. After two hours, we flew to Moscow for the 70th anniversary of the October Revolution. Fidel Castro continued his journey to Havana. I informed him of my intention to visit several countries, including the GDR. In Moscow, I had talks with Comrade Tschebrikow and Comrade Krjutschkow. We exchanged views on the international situation. We talked about Perestroika and Glasnost, about the development of society in the Soviet Union. Later, I visited Poland and spoke with Comrade Kiszcak and other comrades. I then visited Hungary and met with Comrade Kamara and other comrades."
Undoubtedly, Abrantes is conducting a thorough analysis of the situation in two countries that were already turning their backs on the communist experiment in Eastern Europe. How did this information influence the Cuban General? Did he realize in 1987 that Real Socialism was in its final stages?
It's difficult to answer these questions without access to other sources. In his memoirs "As It Was," former Cuban intelligence officer Juan Antonio Rodríguez Menier mentions this quote from Abrantes: "I'm going to send you to the Intelligence Center in Budapest. When you're out there, if you can explain our position to any Yankee who understands and wants to talk to me secretly, I have no problem." Remember the danger I run" ("As It Was," Bloomington, IN USA). Rodríguez Menier was stationed as a MININT officer in the former GDR and deserted in 1987.
Abrantes: During my stay in Hungary, I made a short trip to Austria (Vienna). The Minister of the Interior showed interest in meeting me. He promised to visit Cuba next year. I had a very interesting conversation with him. He's very popular. I've obtained some information. He was a leading figure in the "Algerian Liberation Movement." He asked me how we can help them. I think this question has a double meaning. From an operational point of view, so we can send our comrades there to gain experience. On the other hand, your Ministry provides aid to Third World countries. I told you that we want to develop tourism. He also offered me help in this regard.
"Panama is a country with which we have relations. General Noriega has a...
https://stasi-minint.blogspot.com/2013/08/colaboracion-stasi-minint-1987-el.html?m=1
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Sources: BStU Archives
MfS Abt X
