amadeobarletta.org

The relationship between Amadeo Barletta and Jaime Casielles is –as his own testimonies prove- inexistent. That fact has not stopped  a writer at the service of Cuban Governments agenda and goals to distort his anecdotes as confirmation of Amadeo Barletta’s alleged connections to the Mafia. Jaime Casielles was a valet to Meyer Lansky for few months in 1958 and the elusive Meyer Lansky was not known as a man to share personal details or sensitive information to a mere valet who he had just recently met. The testimony of Jaime Casielles is sensationalized to create a conspiracy theory around pre revolutionary Cuba that involves Amadeo Barletta. Cubamafia stories always attract certain audiences. Many could gullibly believe the slanders of a barlettamafia connection who actually are not shown anywhere in the testimonies of Casiuelles.

Jaime Caiselles’s knowledge of sensitive information on Lansky’s dealings in Cuba is questionable. He was neither a long time worker nor a person of intimate confidence to Meyer Lansky. Much of his testimony, if read carefully, does not hold much validity for any grand theory on Cuba’s history. The truth is that Amadeo Barletta had a number of quite successful entrepreneur activities that did not need and never showed an indication of assistance by underground forces like the Mafia. He had as many struggles as any modest business owner, in spite of all his successes. What we can trace of Amadeo Barletta is his never ending resourcefulness to adapt to adversity, his commitment to permanent innovation to adjust to everything thrown his way. Confiscation of his properties by Rafael L. Trujillo, Fulgencio Batista and Fidel Castro, natural disasters such as hurricanes, and slander campaigns were not enough to bring down Amadeo Barletta’s record and constant struggle to improve his life in an honest and respectable way.

The relationship between Amadeo Barletta and Jaime Casielles is relatively inexistent, except that Cuban historians rely heavily on his anecdotes as confirmation of Amadeo Barletta’s dishonorable connections to the Mafia. Jaime Casielles was a valet to Meyer Lansky. Jaime Casielles’s position of valet lasted for few months but a close relationship was never establised. Meyer Lansky was not known as a man to share personal details or sensitive information to a mere valet who he had just recently met. The testimony of Jaime Casielles is sensationalized to create a conspiracy theory around Amadeo Barletta. The post-revolutionary Cuban government took advantage of Amadeo Barletta’s honesty and modesty when they needed an excuse to confiscate his property and distract from Cuban military involvement in drug trafficking.

Jaime Caiselles’s position of knowledge is questionable, especially because he was a short-term valet to Meyer Lansky. He was neither a long time worker nor a person of intimate confidence to Meyer Lansky so much of his testimony, if read objectively, does not hold much validity. The truth is that Amadeo Barletta had a number of entrepreneur activities that never showed an indication of assistance by bigger forces like the Mafia. He had as many struggles as any modest business owner, in spite of all his successes. While Cuban historians turn to Jaime Casielles for confirmation, he himself noted that he is not sure about any of the negative conclusions reached. What we can trace of Amadeo Barletta is his never ending resourcefulness and willingness to adapt to change, constantly changing his business ventures to adjust to everything thrown his way. Confiscation, expropriation, all destructive hurricanes, and conspiracy theories were not enough to bring down Amadeo Barletta’s constant struggle to improve his life in an honest and respectable way.