If one is to believe the published documents, the assassination was the act of a lone wolf

Ever since Lee Harvey Oswald was shot by Jack Ruby on November 24, 1963, an enormous halo of mystery and conspiracy has surrounded one of the most shocking moments in United States’ history: The assassination of John F. Kennedy.

Hundreds, if not thousands, of conspiracy theories have emerged as the years go by; each one more confusing and farfetched than the last. Some dealt with ice bullets, and a second or even third shooter, but, however, not one of the theories have been confirmed through any sort of scientific research.

However, earlier this year, it appeared as if we might be able to shine some new light on the Kennedy assassination. The U.S. National Archive announced the release of thousands of documents regarding the investigation of the ex president’s death, including CIA and FBI investigations of KGB officers.

The bad news is that it seems that there weren’t too many things to shed light upon. After reading said documents, it looks as if the investigation was nothing out of the ordinary for most of the agencies involved. Regardless of the severity of the situation, the answers seem to be quite straight forward and not nearly as conspiracy oriented as one might think.

Most of the documents seem to simply point in the same direction: Lee Harvey Oswald, a former marine with outstanding sharpshooting abilities, running constantly from an oppressing mother figure, nicknamed Oswaldskovich by his fellow marines due to his notable liking of the communist and soviet way of life and ideals, and last, but most importantly, a deflector who traveled to the U.S.S.R. decided to assassinate the president of the United States.

Many KGB officials described the erratic behavior of Oswald, during his stay at the U.S.S.R, as a person in dire need for attention and a delusional sense of worth within the soviet ranks.  If one is to believe the published documents, the assassination was the act of a lone wolf.

To some, president Kennedy’s grandson describes the situation adequately, “For decades, conspiracies surrounding his death have shifted focus away from the important lessons of his life and the critical issues of the moment. They continue to do so today. Common to almost all the recent coverage is a concession that the files contained no particularly revealing or transformative insights: A newsworthy story without much newsworthy information”.

Latin American Post | Julio C. Cruz Alcalá

Copy edited by Susana Cicchetto