By Spy Uganda
Newly declassified documents related to the 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy provide additional insight into Cold War-era covert U.S. operations but do not substantiate conspiracy theories about who was responsible for his death.
The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration released approximately 2,200 files, adding to the over six million pages already available to the public. While the full extent of the new revelations remains unclear, an initial review suggests that many of the documents focus on CIA operations, particularly concerning Cuba, rather than directly shedding new light on Kennedy’s assassination.
CIA Surveillance Of Oswald
One key area of interest among historians is the surveillance of Lee Harvey Oswald before the assassination. Oswald, a former Marine who had defected to the Soviet Union before returning to the U.S., was under CIA watch during a visit to Mexico City in September 1963. Reports indicate that he sought contact with the Soviet embassy there, raising questions about how much U.S. intelligence agencies knew about him before the assassination.
Journalist Philip Shenon suggests that the U.S. government may have withheld certain details to cover up intelligence failures. “The CIA had Oswald under aggressive surveillance in Mexico City, just weeks before Kennedy’s assassination,” Shenon noted. Some reports even suggest that Oswald openly discussed plans to kill the president while in Mexico City.
Conspiracy Theories and the Warren Commission
Despite decades of speculation, the new documents do not appear to challenge the official conclusion that Oswald acted alone. The Warren Commission, established by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964, found no evidence of a broader conspiracy. However, alternative theories have persisted, implicating the CIA, the mafia, and even foreign governments.
The release of the documents reignited online discussions and speculation, though historians caution that the files primarily expand on what was already known rather than providing groundbreaking revelations.
Cold War Context & Intelligence Operations
Beyond the assassination, the files offer new details on Cold War intelligence activities. One memo from October 1975 reveals that U.S. senators investigating Oswald’s connections considered the CIA “not forthcoming.” Another document uncovers that in 1975, Mexico’s then-president Luis Echeverría Alvarez had collaborated with the CIA, assisting in the penetration of the Cuban embassy.
Further declassified records from December 1963 show the CIA was actively engaged in operations against Fidel Castro’s government in Cuba. A communication sent to the CIA director stated, “TODAY RECD THE MAGNUM PISTOLS BUT NO BULLETS,” highlighting ongoing covert actions.
Presidential Intelligence Briefings Uncovered
One significant aspect of the release is the unredacted portions of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s daily intelligence briefings in the days following Kennedy’s assassination. These documents allow historians to see how top officials processed intelligence in real time.
Historian Timothy Naftali, an expert on JFK’s presidency, remarked, “It’s quite remarkable to walk through that secret world.”
The timing of the release drew criticism from Kennedy’s grandson, Jack Schlossberg, who expressed frustration over the lack of prior notice to the family. Former President Donald Trump, who initially ordered the files’ release in 2018, had delayed full disclosure, citing national security concerns.
While the newly released files provide further historical context, they do not appear to alter the widely accepted conclusion that Oswald acted alone. However, they offer deeper insight into U.S. intelligence operations during one of the most turbulent periods of the Cold War.
