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Betrayal: Clinton, Castro & The Cuban Five

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Finally, the real story on the Brothers to the Rescue shootdown: the integrated Cuban Government activities conducted to commit murder, and the ongoing influence operations relating to some of those involved. This book provides the most detail to date on the events of 24 February 1996. The details are upsetting, but provide much food for thought.

Thanks to the authors for providing excerpts from the transcripts of the Brothers to the Rescue and MiG pilots, as well as transcripts of the testimony by Major Jeffrey Houlihan, who was one of too few in the US military doing his job that day! The transcripts make the events both easier to understand, and appalling at the same time. (If you haven't seen it, the documentary Shoot Down, cited by the authors, is worth seeing. You will hear the chilling recordings of the Cuban MiG pilots.)

The book also provides a disturbing look at the non-response by the US military on that fateful February day. The non-response is so comprehensive that you will wonder if the military was ordered NOT to respond. A communications glitch is a facile excuse that could cover up just such a command. Draw your own conclusion.

Thanks to the authors for pointing out that the purposefully misleading reporting provided to the FBI by Juan Pablo Roque (who was one of at least two who infiltrated Brothers to the Rescue at the behest of Cuban intelligence), has not been reassessed which continues to skew the thinking of the Intelligence Community, and does a disservice to the humanitarian record of Brothers to the Rescue.

Some of the people identified in this book were clearly misled by assessments written by convicted DIA spy, Ana Montes. It's unfortunate that some of the same people recently have offered their opinions on US policy toward Cuba (perhaps without considering how their opinions may have been shaped by Montes' reports and briefings). As with the reporting of Juan Pablo Roque, the legacy of her assessments lives, an unfortunate circumstance given the haste to make changes in Cuba policy. While the time for change may have come, this book makes it clear that Cuba's intentions are not always as benign as supporters claim. How much has the Cuban Government's view of the United States really changed since 1996, and where does that leave us?

The Obama administration should take time to read this well researched book so they aren't fooled into believing the propaganda from solidarity groups carrying out orchestrated efforts to free the five convicted Red Avispa members, a.k.a. "Cuban Five." As the authors note, the Cuban Government has already mentioned them in public statements to the new administration.

Overall, the book is a quick read, but comprehensive in its treatment of the subject. You will find it thought-provoking and worth your time. In fact, you may not be able to put it down!

Kudos to the authors for lending clarity to confusion at this critical time in US-Cuba relations.

Thanks to the volunteers of Brothers to the Rescue who risked their own lives to save the lives of numerous others over the years.

It didn't take me long to read this book as I was captivated by the story, which actually isn't a story at all but a truth that had been smothered by bureaucratic lies and inconsistencies. The authors, Lawrence and Van Hare, are passionate about the humanitarian efforts that the Brothers to the Rescue supported and that they, the authors, were a part of. They do an incredible job of documenting the facts and noting assumptions, leaving the reader to form their own opinion of what truly happened to their friends and fellow pilots who were murdered by Castro. Hopefully this book will get the attention it deserves and the Obama Administration will take into account the gaps that were left behind by previous administrations and not befriend a murderer. This book will certainly remind Americans how fortunate and privileged we are but it will also make you aware that you can't take anything the government says at face value. Well written, almost like a movie, this book will keep your attention and will have you wondering "what's next?".

Without a doubt, Lawrence & Van Hare have succeeded in pulling that trigger which targets every hair on the back of ones neck to prickle at attention throughout the entirety of this white knuckling account of incompetence, murder and betrayal.
The multiple threads of deceit unraveled in this heart racing story, reach beyond ones imagination and begs all Americans to ask how such an atrocity could have occurred in our great country.

Lawrence and Van Hare have written a " can't put it down book ". It is well written, the sequence is understandable and the story is a modern tragedy. They have done an amazing job fettering out secrets from the Cubans and our own government.

I could have written this review sooner, but I had to have a cooling off period due to the content. If I had written with the raw emotion I felt after the read, I am sure my review would have been rejected by Amazon. I have simmered down now...

People, four Americans, including three US Citizens on a humanitarian mission, were shot down, murdered by Cuban MIG pilots in international air space between Key West and Havana on Feb.24, 1996. A third Brothers to the Rescue
plane narrowly escaped being shot down through brilliant evasive tactics. The third plane was chased to within a few minutes flight from Key West. Our air defenses stood by, watched, and did nothing.

Yes, one of the Brothers to the Rescue Airplanes (unarmed) did stray into Cuban air space during the heat of the tragedy. There are international procedures for dealing with stray planes. Those protocols do not call for the intentional downing of civilian aircraft. They were blown out of the sky in front of witnesses on a cruise ship and a fishing vessel in international air space.

Our government had cues from the Cubans that this might happen. Not one agency called the Brothers to warn them of Cuban threats.

This is not a book of conspiracy theory, it is a book of fact. I do not read conspiracy theories. It is an indictment of the murderous regieme across the Florida Straits as well as an indictment of gross negligence concerning our national defense.

I hope I have wetted your appetite for the book. It is a must read. I have always been for normalizing relations with Cuba. Not now. I would not spend a dime on that paper hanging SOB's island.

There I go....getting emotional. Read it. Just read it.

This book, Betrayal, was one of the few "can't put down" books that I have read. However, what also made this book different from any others was how upset/agitated/disturbed/just damn mad I became when I did stop reading. What an absolutely appropriate title for this book! Betrayal occurred at several points in this splendidly detailed and documented account of a dark day in our country's history, a day and an event that except for the dogged determination of the authors almost escaped public review. Each time the betrayal was accomplished by officials associated with our government and each time those betrayed were the governed. Unfortunately four of the betrayed lost their lives--and that number could easily have doubled. The initial betrayal encountered in this book was that of Ms. Montes, a mole/spy in the DIA who had risen to a position to greatly influence and determine U. S. policy relating to Cuba. How many other Ms. Montes' are still in positions of influence in determining our country's foreign policy, especially in the current administration? Then the ultimate betrayal was to have so many people at several levels of their government recognize a looming disaster arising from a scheduled flight of the BTTR--just a phone call from one of several officials privy to menacing information would have alerted the BTTR to the threat. The cold-blooded, and preventable, murder over the Florida Straits prompted a CYA proliferating to the highest levels of the Clinton Administration. Overturning the prison sentences for Cuban spies, including the Cuban Five, following their numerous appeals would have been--after reading this book--a not totally unexpected betrayal. This well-written book will certainly make you aware of the spin your federal government is capable of--in case there was any doubt. Thank you Matt and Tom for your dedication to pursuing a passion and exposing the truth of an experience that touched you personally.

I don't read a lot of books but this is one I could not pass on. I am a Skymaster Owner and Pilot and having already seen the movie Shootdown this book was a must read. I remember the day of this tragic event because even back then I was flying a Skymaster. Instantly I was interested in this story because of the association with the aircraft. But 1996 was quite some time ago and I did not hear anything for a long time. I knew there was a movie being made but again it took so long that I lost track of the situation. Last year I had the privilege to meet Thomas Van Hare and fly with him in Michigan. He started to tell me more about his tenure with BTTR and what they encountered each mission they flew. I was amazed at the dedication the pilots had to this organization. It really opened my eyes. Thomas taught me the basics of SAR over the waters of Lake Michigan. What a privilege to fly with him. As I picked up this book BETRAYAL and started reading it I could not put it down. It grabs a hold and will not release you. I cannot believe the information that Thomas and Matt found. They truly have a masterpiece of information on this event. It is so current to today also, referencing the Obama administration. It is just amazing that these kinds of events can happen and 99% of the people in this country do not even know about it and probably never will. You have to read this book, it is not just for Skymaster pilots but for all of America in a time that we need to know TRUTH. Thank you Thomas and Matt for having the passion to find the truth.
Herb R Harney
Seagull Hotel

I read this book in record time because I could not put it down. I am a voracious reader of political substance. I read Matt Lawrence's first book, DYING TO GET HERE: A Story of Coming to America - which is germane to this book's theme. Lawrence and Van Hare are extremely effective in the way they take the reader to the skies with the pilots of Brothers to the Rescue and experience the real time sequence of events that unfold. I will expect this book to made into either a documentary or better yet; a feature film. Kudos to these two authors for having the courage and tenacity for bringing out the truths and a proverbial coverup of the Clinton Administration. Now the current administration is considering a trade with the Cuban government for the "Cuban Five." THIS IS A MUST READ!
Captain Curtis William Erling White, Key West, Fl

A story long buried is finally coming to light. This book expertly describes from a riveting first person narrative, how the Clinton administration sacrificed the lives of patriots who believed in America and a new Cuba, for a political expediency which failed miserably.

After visiting Cuba in 2009 we have enjoyed reading everything we can about Cuba and Castro. When we were there you see The Famous Fives' photo's everywhere and we now have a good book to explain all about them. Good reading.

Another good book we have just puchased from Amazon is the MOON book about Cuba.
We wish we had had it before we travelled there. So much helpful information and will be a good reference for when we return to Cuba for another holiday.
Lousy food, lousy wine but a wonderful place to visit.

John & Gaynor Stevens - Adelaide, South Australia

On February 24, 1996, two U.S. civilian aircraft flying a rescue mission in international airspace off Cuba were shot down by Cuban Air Force MiG fighters. Four Americans, including three U.S. citizens, lost their lives. In a new, explosive book titled, BETRAYAL, co-authors Thomas Van Hare and Matt Lawrence recount how back door politics, failed negotiations and NORAD's inaction allowed Cuba to murder American citizens. The cover up that followed went from Havana to the halls of the Clinton White House.

After thirteen years of exhaustive research and two years of writing, BETRAYAL reveals:

** The aircraft shot down were never in Cuban airspace and the shootdown was planned and practiced in advance, closely monitored by U.S. radars, on direct order from Washington.

** The U.S. Government was deeply penetrated by Cuban spies who manipulated public opinion and controlled U.S. policy to Fidel Castro's ends.

** USAF F-15 fighters could have intervened, but did not, even as Cuban MiGs chased an aircraft nearly to Key West.

** Documents released by the U.S. Government reveal prior knowledge by senior Clinton Administration officials, including Sandy Berger, Gov. Bill Richardson, and top advisor, Richard Nuccio.

** Cuban spies now in jail, including the Cuban Five, were involved in the shootdown; they are the central focus of Cuba's latest round of diplomacy with the Obama Administration.

** The case of the Cuban Five, including convictions for conspiracy to commit murder and aiding and abetting, is currently being sent before the U.S. Supreme Court - even while Cuban Government officials plead to the Obama Administration for their release.

[...]This book sheds light on a truth long buried - and an issue that is timely for America today.