Antonio de la Maza Assaults Robert Reid Cabral, Sexually Assaults Wife
Declassified Document Sheds Light on Trujillo Assassination
Table of Contents
- Declassified Document Sheds Light on Trujillo Assassination
- Declassified Document Sheds Light on trujillo assassination: A Q&A
- Who Was Rafael Trujillo? What is his legacy?
- What Does the Declassified FBI Document Reveal About the Assassination?
- What Happened Immediately After Trujillo’s Assassination?
- How Was Dr.Robert Reid Cabral Involved in the Aftermath?
- What Were the Consequences for the Conspirators?
- Key Players in the Assassination Aftermath
A recently declassified document by the U.S. government offers new insights into the Dominican Republic’s tumultuous political history.
A fragment from a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) report details events surrounding the investigation into the assassination of Dominican dictator Rafael Leónidas Trujillo Molina.
The document focuses, in part, on interviews conducted by the FBI’s New york field office with an individual identified as “Ortiz,” a lieutenant in the Dominican Military Intelligence service (SIM) who was in charge of investigating Trujillo’s death.
Between April 6 and May 10, 1962, the FBI obtained testimony from Ortiz, which was compiled into a 182-page report that meticulously reconstructs the plot surrounding the assassination.
The report indicates that instantly following the assassination, the conspirators gathered at the residence of Gen. Juan Tomás Díaz. Amidst a tense atmosphere, Dr. Robert Reid cabral was summoned too treat Pedro Livio Cedeño, one of the participants, who had sustained serious injuries.
Although the brother of Donald Reid Cabral,a prominent figure within the conspiracy,Dr. Reid Cabral initially appeared to remain outside of the political planning.
however, the situation took an unexpected turn. According to the FBI,Gen. Díaz, seeking to ensure their continued involvement, “forced” Dr. Reid to shelter four conspirators in his home, including Díaz himself, Antonio de la Maza, Salvador Estrella, and Roberto Pastoriza. This led to dispersion and panic hours later.
According to the FBI report, Antonio de la Maza then called Dr. Reid Cabral’s wife and asked him to leave the room, before sexually assaulting her in the presence of the others.
This act, which caused strong revulsion even among those involved in the conspiracy, led Pastoriza and Estrella to leave the residence amid heated confrontations.
Subsequently, Gen. Díaz sent a telegram to Venezuelan President Rómulo Betancourt, stating, We who kill Trujillo, we need urgent for his help to escape from the country.
Díaz requested that Dr. Reid Cabral deliver the telegram to “Wimpy,” a key conspirator with close ties to the American consulate, but Reid refused. The document notes, Reid did not want to carry the telegram, since he understood that he had been involved too much in the operation and thought that the general tried to kill when asking him to do that.
When refusing, that made De la Maza outraged so much that he hit Reid, pushed him and pointed to his youngest son with a gun. Reid then said that the conspirators could kill the whole family if they wanted it, but that he would not deliver the telegram to ‘wimpy’,
the report stated.
Later, Gen. Díaz and Antonio de la Maza died in a shootout while resisting arrest. Pastoriza and Estrella were captured and confessed.
Declassified Document Sheds Light on trujillo assassination: A Q&A
A recently declassified document by the U.S. government offers new insights into the Dominican Republic’s tumultuous political history.
A fragment from an FBI report details events surrounding the assassination of Dominican dictator Rafael Leónidas Trujillo Molina.
This Q&A explores the key events unearthed in this declassified document, providing a deeper understanding of the assassination and its aftermath.
Who Was Rafael Trujillo? What is his legacy?
Rafael Leónidas Trujillo Molina was the dictator of the Dominican Republic for 31 years, from February 1930 until his assassination in May 1961. He maintained absolute control of the Dominican Republic through his authority over the army, by placing family members in power, and by the murder of political opponents.
- Ruled for over three decades: Trujillo’s reign marked a notable period in Dominican history.
- Ruthless Dictator: He was known for his brutality.
- Trained by U.S. Marines: Trujillo was a soldier and politician trained by the U.S. Marines.
What Does the Declassified FBI Document Reveal About the Assassination?
The declassified FBI report, focusing on interviews conducted with a lieutenant in the Dominican Military Intelligence service (SIM) identified as “Ortiz,” meticulously reconstructs the plot surrounding the assassination.
The testimony collected between April 6 and May 10, 1962, created a 182-page report shedding light on the events.
What Happened Immediately After Trujillo’s Assassination?
According to the FBI report, immediately following the assassination, the conspirators gathered at the residence of Gen. Juan Tomás Díaz. Dr. Robert Reid Cabral was summoned to treat an injured participant.
How Was Dr.Robert Reid Cabral Involved in the Aftermath?
Initially, Dr. Robert Reid Cabral appeared to be outside the political planning. However, events took a dramatic turn when General Díaz forced him to shelter four conspirators. After this the situation quickly spun out of control.
- Forced Involvement: Gen. Díaz compelled Dr. Reid Cabral to shelter conspirators.
- Refusal to Deliver Telegram: Dr. Reid Cabral refused to deliver a telegram to a key conspirator (“Wimpy”).
- Threats and Violence: The refusal led to threats and a physical assault on Dr.Reid Cabral.
What Were the Consequences for the Conspirators?
The aftermath saw violence and betrayal.
- Death of Key Figures: Gen. Díaz and Antonio de la Maza died in a shootout.
- Capture and Confession: Roberto Pastoriza and Salvador Estrella were captured and confessed.
Key Players in the Assassination Aftermath
The following table summarizes the roles and fates of key individuals involved in the aftermath of trujillo’s assassination.
| Figure | Role | Fate |
|---|---|---|
| Gen. Juan Tomás Díaz | Conspirator, Leader | Died in shootout |
| Antonio de la Maza | Conspirator | Died in shootout |
| Dr. Robert Reid Cabral | Physician, Forced to Shelter Conspirators | Survived |
| Roberto Pastoriza | Conspirator | Captured and confessed |
| Salvador Estrella | Conspirator | Captured and confessed |