In recently disclosed documents, it has come to light that George Joannides, a CIA operative specializing in psychological warfare, interacted with Lee Harvey Oswald before President John F. Kennedy’s assassination. Joannides operated under the alias “Howard Gleber” and took a leadership role in U.S initiatives aimed at infiltrating anti-communist Cuban student groups, particularly the DRE, in the run-up to JFK’s assassination in November 1963. This newfound evidence raises questions about the CIA’s unwillingness to acknowledge the extent of its connections to Oswald and could have significant implications for lingering conspiracy theories regarding the assassination.
On the surface, Oswald was a young man who became embroiled in a public altercation with members of the DRE while distributing pro-communist literature in New Orleans. This confrontation not only painted Oswald as a Castro sympathizer but also drew media attention that would ultimately tie him to the Cuban situation shortly before he committed the murder of JFK. Prior to these events, the Pentagon had even been exploring excuses to launch an attack against Cuba, including a false flag operation known as Operation Northwoods, illustrating the charged political climate of the time.
Joannides was tasked with overseeing all political action and psychological warfare efforts related to the DRE at a CIA office in Miami, highlighting his importance in the agency’s operations. His involvement with the DRE, and the shadowy persona he adopted, had long circulated in conspiracy theories, but the CIA consistently denied any association. Official records have now contradicted these denials, suggesting that Joannides misled Congress when he assumed the position of liaison with the House Select Committee on Assassinations in the mid-1970s, further complicating the narrative surrounding the CIA’s role in Oswald’s activities.
Testimonies from key figures involved in the congressional investigations reveal that Joannides actively misrepresented facts concerning his identity and connection to DRE when probed by the committee. Robert Blakely, the chief counsel for the committee, recalled Joannides’ assurances that no records existed linking him to the DRE. Dan Hardway, a former investigator with the committee, claimed Joannides orchestrated covert operations designed to mislead Congress about the CIA’s attachment to Oswald. Such revelations indicate a deliberate effort to obscure the truth regarding the CIA’s engagement with key players surrounding the assassination.
This recent disclosure of Joannides’ involvement is just one part of an ongoing effort to comply with the 1992 Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act, which mandates the release of all files related to JFK’s assassination. Although the deadline for full disclosure was set for 2017, many documents remained undisclosed well into subsequent years. Recent releases under Presidents Biden and Trump have further indicated that the CIA may have known more about Oswald’s activities prior to the assassination than it had previously admitted. The revelations have led experts like Jefferson Morley to assert that the cover story surrounding Joannides has collapsed, resulting in a paradigm shift in understanding the agency’s past actions.
Despite these developments, the files do not clarify the motivations behind the CIA’s deception regarding Joannides’ role with the DRE. While the agency claims to have complied fully with disclosure mandates and has offered transparency regarding its records, this evolving narrative may intensify scrutiny and ultimately reshape public perception surrounding the CIA’s involvement and its possible implications on Oswald’s actions in relation to JFK’s assassination.
