New York Times

January 10, 1958. p. 2.

Week’s Death Toll 9 in Cuba Shootings

Special to The New York Times

HAVANA, Jan. 9—Nine persons have been killed and two wounded in mysterious shootings in Oriente Province in the last week, according to the Urgency Court of Santiago.

Sympathizers of both President Fulgencio Batista and the rebel leader Fidel Castro appear to have been among the victims. In the past, Castro followers have killed persons they believed to be government spies, while government supporters have killed reputed rebels.

The latest victims were poor people, rather than officials or leaders. José Fuentes and his 18-year-old son were taken from their home in Niquero by some men in a jeep and killed on the Manzanillo highway.

At the Soledad sugar mill, José Infanta Ruiz was killed and his wife wounded. A soldier was wounded at a fiesta.

The most authoritative information available denies reports that United States residents of Santiago have been threatened. Shopping there was heavy during the Christmas season.

Despite Cuban Army safeguards to prevent the Castro rebels from burning the sugar crop, a stock of 10,000 tons in one port warehouse was destroyed last week. Thus far, however, the destruction appears to have had little impact on the total crop.