| Abstract:
In the mid 1970's, Miami was experiencing a spate of
bombings and assassinations directed at moderate community leaders
intolerant of the terrorist methods of certain anti-Castro groups. A
week before these hearings, broadcaster Emilio Milian had both his
legs blown off in a car bomb outside his WQAM workplace. The
violence was purported to be initiated from a few hard-line
anti-Castro groups with secret membership, international backing and
supposed links to the CIA.
In this report, Miami Police Lieutenant Thomas Lyons and
Detective Raul J. Diaz testify that groups such as the FLNC, Alpha
66 and Accion Cubana had international terrorist ties and law
enforcement would require additional resources and international
cooperation to shut them down. Locally, Alpha66 had even sold $100
"bonds" in Miami to help finance their causes. Lyons advocates for
tougher restrictions on explosives, and identifying phosphors to
help track explosive manufacturers.
Further testimony mentions Dr. Orlando Bosch-Avila, convicted of
firing a bazooka at a Polish ship from McArthur Causeway, and his
later role in terrorist groups. Bosch was later arrested in Costa
Rica, thought to be conspiring to assassinate Secretary of State
Henry Kissinger.
For a good article on events of the time see the Miami NewTimes
article, "Little
Havana’s Reign of Terror," by Dick Russell. |
