U.S. Embassy Warns Grenada of Arriving Underworld Figures

Consul LaRoche delivers intelligence to Bishop’s security advisor to prevent mercenary misunderstanding.

Date: April 12, 1979

Consul LaRoche Tasked with Warning Grenadian Government About Arrival of U.S. "Underworld Figures"

Details: Amidst heightened fears in Grenada of a potential mercenary invasion, the U.S. Embassy in Bridgetown became aware of the possible travel of several "undesirables" or "underworld figures" to the island. The Embassy assessed that the motivation for their travel was unrelated to the revolution and likely involved an "old feud".

Recognizing the "inopportune timing" of this travel, the U.S. Chargé d'affaires instructed Consul Richard LaRoche, who was still in Grenada, to pass this sensitive information to Vincent Noel, who handled security matters for Prime Minister Bishop. LaRoche's specific instructions were to emphasize that the individuals in question had "no RPT no connection with Gairy," to underline the U.S. government's "good faith" in sharing the intelligence, and to request that the matter not be publicized.

Key Members & Participants:

  • U.S. Officials:
    • Consul Richard LaRoche: The on-the-ground officer tasked with delivering the warning.
    • John J. Eddy (Chargé d'affaires): Issued the instructions to LaRoche from Bridgetown.
  • Grenadian Official:
    • Vincent Noel: Bishop's advisor on security matters and the recipient of LaRoche's warning.

Significance: This event demonstrates a significant level of trust and cooperation between the U.S. and the new Grenadian government on a sensitive law enforcement and security issue. The U.S. proactively shared intelligence to prevent a misunderstanding that could have escalated tensions. The use of LaRoche as the direct channel for this communication underscores his established role as a credible and trusted interlocutor with the revolutionary leadership. The incident highlights the volatile atmosphere in post-coup Grenada, where the new government's fear of mercenaries could easily lead to the misinterpretation of unrelated criminal activity as a politically motivated attack.

Source:

U.S. Embassy Bridgetown Cable 01387, "POSSIBLE TRAVEL BY UNDERWORLD FIGURES TO GRENADA," April 12, 1979, Declassified. (Document ID C17671243.pdf).

Link:

https://wikileaks.org/plusd/cables/1979BRIDGE01387_a.html

Internal Link:

Date:
April 12, 1979
Categories:
Greneda Invasion, Log, Matthew Smith, Mercenaries, Military & Intel, Nuclear Warfare, The Suriname Archive
Tags:
Cable, Consul Richard LaRoche, Coup, Grenadian Official, Intelligence Sharing, Law Enforcement, U.S. Officials
Boxes:
MW Zotero
Years:
1979
Persons:
John Eddy, Richard Laroche, Vincent Noel
META DATA
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