### Background Dr. Felix Saborio was a Nicaraguan pediatrician and close childhood friend of [[Danilo Blandon|Danilo Blandón]] from before the Sandinista revolution. "Felix Saborio was a close friend of Blandón from childhood," said Carol Prado, [[Eden Pastora|Eden Pastora's]] former aide. "I also knew them from childhood. They were very rich people."[^1] ### Role with ARDE After the [[Central Intelligence Agency]] cutoff of funding to Pastora's [[ARDE]] in mid-1984, Saborio volunteered to become Pastora's representative to the anti-Communist Cuban community in southern Florida, his liaison with the U.S. news media, and an ARDE fund-raiser. Saborio was frequently quoted in the [[Miami]] Herald and other papers as Pastora's spokesman during 1984 and 1985.[^1] Prado described attending a party in Miami at Saborio's house with Pastora where she saw Blandón. The connections between Saborio, Blandón, and the Contra fundraising network were extensive.[^1] ### Connection to Ronald Lister Saborio was also acquainted with [[Ronald Lister]]. Lister told the CIA that he had "travelled to Hialeah, Florida sometime in 1982 or 1983 and met with a Contra member named 'Dr. Sabario' in an effort to sell 'military supplies' to the Contras." The CIA report stated the military supplies were "commercially available equipment such as non-reflective paint for equipment and surveillance detection gear of the type that can be purchased at electronic shops and 'spy' stores."[^1] ### Legal Support for Blandón In 1992, Saborio posted part of Chepita Blandón's bond after she was arrested on drug trafficking charges in San Diego. No evidence has surfaced implicating Saborio in drug dealing.[^1] ### Footnotes [^1]: Gary Webb, *Dark Alliance*, Chapter 11: "They were looking in the other direction"