Manuel Rocha, a former US ambassador to Bolivia, is set to be sentenced in a Miami courtroom after pleading guilty to charges of acting as a secret foreign agent of Cuba. The 73-year-old is facing several charges, including acting as an illegal agent of a foreign government, wire fraud, and making false statements to investigators. Prosecutors allege that Rocha served as a “covert agent of Cuba’s intelligence services” for decades, but the specific charges included in his guilty plea have not been disclosed.
Rocha’s career in the diplomatic service included serving as the US ambassador to Bolivia from 2000 to 2002 and as the deputy principal officer of the US Interests Section in Cuba during the 1990s. He also held positions at the US Embassy in the Dominican Republic, the US Consulate in Italy, and various roles at US embassies in Mexico and Argentina. Prosecutors have focused on Rocha’s time as the political officer at the US Embassy in the Dominican Republic, where he had “special responsibility” for Cuba, claiming that he used this position to engage in activities on behalf of Cuban intelligence services.
During meetings with an undercover FBI employee posing as a member of Cuban intelligence, Rocha reportedly referred to the US as “the enemy” and expressed admiration for Fidel Castro. He also claimed to have been involved in what he referred to as the “knock down of the small planes,” which prosecutors believe may refer to an incident when Cuba shot down two unarmed airplanes operated by Brothers to the Rescue, a US-based group opposed to Castro’s government. Rocha allegedly stated that his top priority was to prevent any actions by Washington that could threaten the Cuban leadership or the revolution itself.
The details of Rocha’s guilty plea and the specific charges against him will be revealed during his sentencing hearing in Miami. The accusations against him paint a picture of a diplomat who covertly worked on behalf of Cuban intelligence services, using his position to gather information and potentially engage in activities that were detrimental to US interests. The sentencing will provide clarity on the extent of Rocha’s actions and the consequences he will face for his alleged involvement with a foreign government. CNN has contributed to reporting on this case, providing updates and insights into the ongoing legal proceedings surrounding Manuel Rocha’s charges.
