True Believer: Inside the Investigation and Capture of Ana Montes, Cuba's Master Spy

by Scott W. Carmichael

Ana Montes appeared to be a model employee of the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA). Known to her coworkers as the Queen of Cuba, she was an overachiever who advanced quickly through the ranks of Latin American specialists to become the intelligence community's top analyst on Cuban affairs. But throughout her sixteen-year career at DIA, Montes was sending Castro some of America's most closely guarded secrets and at the same time helping influence what the United States thought it knew about Cuba. When she was finally arrested in September 2001, she became the most senior American intelligence official ever accused of operating as a Cuban spy from within the federal U.S. government. Unrepentant as she serves out her time in a federal prison in Texas, Montes remains the only member of the intelligence community ever convicted of espionage on behalf of the Cuban government. This inside account of the investigation that led to her arrest has been written by Scott W. Carmichael, the DIA's senior counterintelligence investigator who persuaded the FBI to launch an investigation. Although Montes did not fit the FBI's profile of a spy and easily managed to defeat the agency's polygraph exams, Carmichael became suspicious of her activities and with the FBI over a period of several years developed a solid case against her. Here he tells the story of that long and ultimately successful spy hunt. Carmichael reveals the details of their efforts to bring her to justice, offering readers a front-row seat for the first major U.S. espionage case of the twentieth century. She was arrested less than twenty-four hours before learning details of the U.S. plan to invade Afghanistan post-September 11. Motivated by ideology not money, Montes was one of the last “true believers“ of the communist era. Because her arrest came just ten days after 9/11, it went largely unnoticed by the American public. This book calls attention to the grave damage Montes inflicted on U.S. security―Carmichael even implicates her in the death of a Green Beret fighting Cuban-backed insurgents in El Salvador―and the damage she would have continued to inflict had she not been caught.

Genres: Espionage, Nonfiction, History

208 pages, Hardcover

First published March 3, 2007

Reviews

[Ann · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was not a particularly interesting true-espionage book. There is simply very little in it, except some bureaucratic detail about how to kick off a counterintelligence investigation, and a lot of theorizing.

Here's the story : in 1996 the author, who works at the Security department of the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), gets a call from someone who wants to share suspicions that Ana Montes, head analyst of the Cuba desk, is a spy. What is this based on ? Mainly on two observations : Ana Montes had arranged a debriefing with a general who had recently visited Cuba, the day before Cuba shot down two airplanes from a Cuban-support organization, and on a day when Ana was called to the Pentagon for some crisis management meeting, she had received a phone call, after which she had said that she needed to leave at 8 PM and did indeed leave. (Apparently that is not the done thing when you are called to the Pentagon). So what does our investigator do? He calls Ana into his office and tells her he suspects her of being a spy. He is convinced that she is lying when she tells him she never received a phone call on that day in the PEntagon, but there is not much more he can do, so that's that. End of investigation.

But in the fall of 2000, another colleague mentions that some other defense agencies believe that there is a Cuban spy active in some branch of the government, and shares a specific tidbit about this hypothetical spy. When the author runs the tidbit (the nature of which is never revealed) against his files, he finds 100 + potential matches. When he discovers the name of Ana Montes among the file, he puts two and two together and decides that this is very suspicious indeed. So it's off to the FBI, and over the space of a couple of weeks, additional tidbits (again, unspecified) of knowledge about the spy are matched up with Ana. But setting off a full FBI investigation is serious bureaucratic business, and various lawyers spend weeks submitting a case. Then people realize that Ana is expected to take up a new, and ever more sensitive, position, in January 2001. So then there are dozens of pages about bureaucratic manoeuvers to prevent Ana from taking up this new assignment without her figuring out that this is because she is under suspicion. I did not find this very exciting, and indeed, the final solution was simply that some big honcho made an agency-wide decision that he had had enough of his analysts being loaned out to other agencies and that people were going to stay put in their current jobs for now. Problem solved.

The investigation drags on for a couple of months. Ana displays only one suspicious behavior, and that is that she uses pay phones to call a pager number in NYC, but otherwise there is not much to report. Then, of course, 9-1-1- happens, and in the heightened state of security consciousness, it is decided to arrest Ana. So that happens in late September 2001.

And then.... not much. The author is now off the case and has no more visibility to what happens. We hear that Ana confesses and so there is no public trial. Apart from the first investigation in 1996, a fortuitous encounter in an elevator, and the arrest, it seems that the author has never really spent time with Ana. Yet in the final part of the book, he theorizes freely, and rather unoriginally, about "why she done it". There is a very general assessment of what damage Ana might have caused, but since there is no discussion of what materials she passed over to Cuba, this has to remain in the realm of "well, she knew a lot of stuff about what was happening in Latin America, so this must have been really important".

So I found the book unsatisfying, much too procedural. The real questions that interest me were not addressed : how did someone find out there was a Cuban spy active in the US government? What were those mysterious tidbits that allowed investigators to hone in on Ana Montes? Who recruited her? Who was her control? What details do we know about her tradecraft, the meetings with her control, the short-wave radio she used to communicate with Cuba (another fascinating nugget that is never explained).

[Andrew · Rating 2 out of 5]

The tale of Ana Montes is a fantastic one and in need of a great writer that delves into all aspects of her history as a Cuban spy and the efforts of the U.S. government to root her out and put her behind bars. This, unfortunately, is not that. Instead this is a first person account that is limited to one man's experiences and views. The story could have been so much more. It's a shame it wasn't.

[Pame · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book, however, I thought I was going to give more details on all the process to catch Ana Montes.

I did feel like I was in a mission imposible setting. The book is slow so you cáanos finish it in one sitting even tho it has less than 200 pages.

I did find interesting all the power that the these offices have to investiga and spy on their own agents 😂

[Jordison Francisco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ninguém Tão Cego

A história é a de um dedicado agente cubano que ascendeu na comunidade de inteligência americana. Embora muitas vezes não seja percebido pelo público em geral, os traidores geralmente se apresentam em duas variedades: fontes de inteligência e agentes de influência. Montes estava em ótima posição para ajudar outros dentro da comunidade de inteligência dos EUA.

Não importa que Cuba seja uma ameaça inequívoca aos EUA, eles estão envolvidos em movimentos de esquerda latino-americanos e buscam trocar informações por bens e favores dos chefões das ditaduras. O autor associa Mondes diretamente à morte de um conselheiro militar americano que trabalhava na América Latina. É provável que tenha havido mais baixas.

Uma das grandes frustrações do caso é o ritmo glacial das investigações. Novamente, meses e meses foram perdidos enquanto os agentes do FBI trabalhavam com a equipe do Departamento de Justiça para tentar obter as autorizações necessárias para levar o caso adiante. No final, os eventos de 11 de setembro e a probabilidade de Montes comprometer importantes atividades antiterroristas levaram à sua prisão antes que todas as evidências pudessem ser reunidas.

Assim como nos perguntamos por que não conseguimos conectar os pontos na Virginia Tech, também nos perguntamos por que continuamos apagando os pontos em nome da "justiça".

Como muitas dessas histórias, esta começa com uma pessoa desconfiada, inicialmente ignorada, pois todos querem acreditar que um dos seus traiu a confiança.

Este é um livro excelente e uma leitura fascinante, interessante e informativa. Qualquer pessoa que estude Cuba deve lê-lo.

A notícia da captura de Ana Montes não foi surpresa para a comunidade cubano-americana aqui nos EUA, pois há muito tempo nos resignamos às imprecisões nos relatórios do governo americano sobre Cuba e observamos com consternação até mesmo os relatórios da CIA descreverem a propaganda de Castro como realidade. Sabíamos que havia fontes em nosso governo comprometidas com o apoio a Castro.

A primeira coisa que me chamou a atenção quando Ana Belén Montes foi capturada foi: como os caçadores de espiões do governo americano puderam ignorar a circunstância particular de que a festa de Santa Ana, avó de Jesus (Santa Ana), é 26 de julho, a data em 1953 em que os irmãos Castro atacaram o Quartel Moncada em Santiago de Cuba? Ainda assim, Ana ou Ann é um nome comum, como em Annapolis, a cidade de Santa Ana onde este livro foi publicado. No entanto, enquanto eu celebrava mentalmente a captura da primeira grande espiã dirigida por Castro na estrutura de defesa dos EUA, também notei que o segundo nome da espiã, Belén, é o nome do Liceu Jesuíta onde Fidel Castro recebeu sua educação secundária mais significativa.

Em Cuba, como na maior parte da América Latina, os comunistas costumam ter esses nomes; lembra-se facilmente de Universo (que significa conquistar o mundo); Sánchez, um dos "12" originais de Castro; "Fábio" (o guerrilheiro furtivo, Cônsul da Roma Antiga); Grobart, homem de Stalin em Havana e suposto recrutador de Castro em 1948; e o líder trabalhista cubano Ursinio Rojas (o urso vermelho). O que parecia incomum era que ninguém, fora da comunidade cubano-americana, havia considerado o nome de Ana Montes antes.

Carmichael discute em vários trechos a cultura de desinformação sobre Cuba, tão prevalente nos círculos oficiais do governo dos EUA. Isso foi tão vividamente demonstrado por um importante candidato presidencial em um discurso em Miami no mês passado (março de 2007), que, por engano, recitou um dos slogans de Castro para uma plateia cubano-americana, pensando que era um reflexo da situação do exílio. Somente agora, com o julgamento e a prisão de acadêmicos que espionavam para Castro em uma "Universidade Internacional" e livros como este, a natureza errônea das informações sobre Cuba comumente expostas a estudantes inocentes no meio acadêmico se tornou óbvia.

Ao ler o livro de Scott Carmichael algum tempo depois, tornou-se evidente a importância de Ana Belen Montes e o quão profundamente ela havia penetrado e influenciado o establishment de defesa dos EUA (por exemplo, pp. 135-143 (edição impressa). Também ficou claro o quão insignificante a maioria das pessoas no governo dos EUA considera Cuba, aquela "pequena" ilha vizinha de 1.227 quilômetros de extensão, para os EUA; e como tantos em posições importantes nos EUA subestimaram a capacidade de espionagem de Cuba (por exemplo, p. 151-152). Por essa razão, apesar do sacrifício de várias carreiras no governo dos EUA na década de 1960, a falsa, porém predominante, mentalidade em Washington era, e ainda é, a de considerar a ameaça de espionagem de Castro insignificante para a segurança dos EUA.

O autor faz um apelo claro nas páginas 175-179. Talvez o Boina Verde traído, Greg Fronius, descanse um pouco mais tranquilo em seu túmulo.

O autor merece elogios por seu excelente trabalho e seu excelente livro.

NOTA: "O que este crítico deixa de mencionar é que os danos causados à segurança dos EUA por este espião cubano são tremendos." O fato é que a ditadura cubana tem relações estreitas com o Irã, a Síria, a China, a Rússia e todos os outros Estados terroristas do mundo. A vasta quantidade de informações passadas ao regime de Castro chegou a todos eles. Esses danos foram tão graves quanto qualquer outro causado a esta nação por quaisquer outros "espiões famosos" descobertos anteriormente. Cuba é uma ameaça para a América, para todos os Estados Unidos, seja no Norte, no Centro e, certamente, no Sul. Há muito tempo, sou o "porta-aviões" do comunismo e do terrorismo no Hemisfério Ocidental, como evidenciado por Chávez, Ortega, Morales, e como patrocinador, instrutor e porto seguro para todos os movimentos terroristas de guerrilha. Este livro é "leitura obrigatória" para todos os americanos preocupados com a nossa segurança." Eu só acrescentaria a isso o potencial dano adicional que ela provavelmente causou ao promover a carreira de outros agentes cubanos em diversas agências.

Este é um dos muitos exemplos de como as leis americanas, extremamente complexas, afetaram a eficácia de nossas operações de contrainteligência, com resultados catastróficos. Grande parte do esforço é dedicada a atender a requisitos processuais entre o Departamento de Justiça e outras organizações.

[Fodowo · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was written by a DIA agent who does not claim to be a writer but someone who wants the public to know that there are probably Cuban spies in the government. The story is so one sided it was not interesting. We knew the ending, Scott and the "good guys" win and Montes is arrested. There were very few interesting details that the writer could provide. It was an agent telling of his exploits. If you are in support of the FISA wiretapping, etc under Bush this book would be a great example of how having to follow the rules hindered an investigation. It took about 4 months for them to get clearance for invasive surveillance.

All that is known about Ana is filtered through Scott's perspective. She was brilliant (after all she fooled them for 18 years) and private and she had a young boyfriend. She was against US policy on Cuba, which gave the title of the book "True Believer". Her spying was an ideological position that she did for no remuneration. I would have liked to know about her motivations.

[C · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick and easy one-afternoon read. Ease of read extends from its superficial coverage of the facts of the case and heavy doses of the author’s recitations. Repetitive at times, and some entire chapters could be omitted without affecting the substance of the story. Manuscript may have benefited from inclusion of additional detailed information from outside research which the author states he intentionally did not include (at times for ‘security reasons’), but which are readily found in other publications.

[CASPER HILEMAN · Rating 3 out of 5]

Counterintelligence Agent Scott Carmichael of the Defense Intelligence Agency was partly responsible for the arrest and conviction of Ana Belen Montes, an analyst for the Defense Intelligence Agency and surreptitiously was also an agent for the Cuban Government. She was arrested on September 12th, 2001, so the public at large is unaware of the details of her case and the betrayal and near disaster that was her access to the U.S. war plans of Operation Enduring Freedom and the invasion of Afghanistan.
Intelligence is a commodity that countries use to their benefit. Mrs. Montes had access to high-level plans concerning the "War on Terror" and even helped formulate and guide the U.S. Policy toward Cuba and Latin America. While this is not exactly a LeCarre novel in quality it was interesting and worth the read. Even more so since Agent Carmichael has stated that any profit he derives from the publication and sale of this book will be donated to the children of a Special Forces soldier killed in Central America when FMLN terrorists overran an El Salvadoran military base in the 1980s.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining, yet serious

This book is extremely well written, which seems to be difficult for authors writing about spies in the US. The language is readable, without a lot of government acronyms, and does not remind me of a textbook despite being informative. I am glad the author chose to include the story of Greg Fornius because I agree, while Ana Montes might not have directly contributed to his death(we will never know), his death is an example of the stakes. I want to highlight something the author says in the epilogue: he wrote this to bring attention to the issue of Cuban spies in America and is not gaining financially from it's release. Instead, the proceeds are going to the children of Greg Fornius. That is a powerful statement on its own.

[Amanda Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought the book was interesting I enjoyed the first hand account of the author and how the situation was viewed from his perspective. I thought the book was written well for someone who isn't traditionally an author, and I would recommend the read for people who have really never heard the story.

[Meatwadmammie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ci report on Cuban spy

The story of Ana Montes could have been condensed considerably. It did a good job of illustrating how difficult it can be to prove that someone is a spy. The coordination of the arrest was very detailed.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author admits he is not a writer. So it’s no surprise that it’s not particularly well-written but it still tells a fascinating story from one person’s point of view. Also, it’s a relatively quick read.

[Stacy Gekiere · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given a wonderful history lesson when reading this book.
I'm excited to pick up the follow-up book by author Jim Popkin
called: Code Name Blue Wren: the true story of American's most dangerous female spy-and the sister she betrayed. (2023)

[Alexander · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very easy to read

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ana Montes was an absolutely without doubt model employee of the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) for 16 years. She had top secret clearances, she was known as THE expert on Cuba, she was highly intelligent and diligent, and, as it turns out, all the while she was systematically and continually giving Castro our closely guarded secrets. The only thing that blew her cover was a tiny set of almost imperceptible observations made by the author and several agents within the agency, which led them to pursue a full-fledged investigation of Montes. Parts of this book are fascinating and shocking, such as the amount of time it actually took to get permission from the powers that be to allow the investigators to gain access to Montes' personal belongings, her apartment, etc. But most shocking of all is just the fact that she got away with spying for 16 years before anyone began to catch on to her double life. She was very very good at what she did.

[Charles · Rating 3 out of 5]

The good: fascinating story told by someone who was closely involved with the investigation. The bad: I didn't like the structure, which focused on the investigation first and treated the spy's actions almost as an afterthought. I liked the structure of "Spy" about Robert Hanssen much better. Still, the book is worth reading.

[Zack · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought the book was fantastic. It was a great read. The author is a counterintelligence analyst with the DIA and knows a lot. The only part I didn't like is the fact that he was unable to divulge all available information on the case.

[Jonathan Franklin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cuban spies in the pentagon....a methodical look at how the DIA found and took down a spy in its midst. Surprisingly candid both in its details, naming names and criticism of US intel for underestimating Cuban spy capacities.

[Lori · Rating 2 out of 5]

Completed my spy trilogy, two movies plus one true story.

[Gaynelle Gilbride · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the little lies from 1985 added up and were missed. Amazing that she would go unnoticed for sixteen years. Amazing book to read, I was shell shocked in the end.