The assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963 has been, for decades, one of the most analyzed and debated episodes in U.S. history. Conspiracy theories have flourished around the idea that Lee Harvey Oswald, the former Marine sniper accused of the crime, may not have acted alone. Now, with the declassification of thousands of documents previously withheld by the CIA and FBI, Donald Trump's administration has decided to leave it up to the public to draw their own conclusions.

Since the initial release of documents in recent decades, the official investigation into the JFK assassination has left loose ends that have fueled speculation. The Warren Commission determined in its 1964 report that Oswald acted alone, but many have cast doubt on this conclusion, suggesting possible conspiracies involving the Mafia, the CIA, the FBI, the Soviet Union or even then Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson.

The recent declassification includes approximately 80,000 pages of documents, some of which were censored or withheld for national security reasons. Among them are hearing transcripts, federal agency reports and intelligence documents.

Redundant information?

The released files reinforce information already known about the context in which the assassination took place. They highlight, for example, records confirming that the CIA had planned the assassination of Cuban leader Fidel Castro, which reinforces the idea that the Cold War was marked by covert strategies and clandestine operations. In addition, it is confirmed that Oswald defected to the Soviet Union in 1959 and returned to the United States in 1962, which fueled suspicions about his possible link to foreign regimes.

However, JFK experts believe the documents are unlikely to contain shocking revelations or change the existing narrative. Most of the records released are raw intelligence documents, follow-up reports and leads that did not lead to any conclusive findings. Some critics consider the release of these files to be more of a political gesture than a true historical revelation.

Despite the lack of explosive revelations, the declassification of these files could fuel new investigations and keep the discussion about the JFK assassination alive. In the past, books, documentaries and films such as Oliver Stone's JFK (1991) have explored the possible conspiracies behind the assassination, and this new material is likely to inspire further analysis in the coming years.

The release of these documents also complies with the 1992 Congressional law, which required full disclosure of the assassination files within 25 years. So far, however, disclosure has been gradual and many key pieces have remained hidden.

The assassination of John F. Kennedy will remain a mystery that divides opinion. While the declassification of these documents gives the public access to historical information, it is unlikely to provide definitive answers to questions that have persisted for more than six decades. JFK's story lives on, and with it, the doubts and speculation that have marked his legacy.

With information from AFP