Former United States ambassador Manuel Rocha, accused of working as a secret agent for Cuba for decades, pleaded guilty to two charges and was sentenced to 15 years in prison. The charges included conspiring to defraud the United States as a foreign agent and failing to register as a foreign agent. Rocha admitted to betraying his oath of loyalty to the U.S. during his time at the State Department. Judge Beth Bloom highlighted Rocha’s lack of allegiance to the U.S. and emphasized that he had turned his back on the country that gave him everything.
The proceedings did not reveal much about Rocha’s dealings with the Cuban government or whether he shared secrets during his diplomatic career. Judge Bloom expressed frustration with prosecutors for not seeking more penalties for Rocha and demanded changes to the plea deal. Prosecutors cited classified information not disclosed publicly beyond the indictment. The case highlighted the threat of espionage and insider threats from adversaries, according to David Newman, a Justice Department official. Rocha’s charges included acting as an agent of a foreign government, defrauding the U.S., wire fraud, and making false statements to obtain an American passport.
Rocha’s plea agreement required cooperation and sharing of a detailed damage assessment with the government. The 15-year prison sentence, given his age, was considered a life sentence. The agreement also included provisions for restitution and the possibility of civil denaturalization. Rocha expressed remorse and commitment to making amends for his actions. The cases of other American officials convicted of spying for Cuba, Ana Belén Montes and Walter Kendall Myers, were referenced.
Rocha, who was born in Colombia and became a naturalized U.S. citizen, had served in various roles related to Latin America under Presidents Clinton and Bush. He served as ambassador to Bolivia and as an adviser on Cuba-related matters before moving to Miami. Rocha’s indictment did not detail specific interactions with the Cuban government or accuse him of espionage, partly due to his long period away from government roles. His embrace of conservative politics in recent years was suggested in the indictment as a means to cover his tracks.
The indictment indicated Rocha’s assistance to the Cuban government since at least 1981, with a posting in Havana during the 1990s. The Cuban intelligence agency’s success in infiltrating the U.S. national security establishment over the years has been noted. The case adds to the history of American officials being charged with spying for Cuba, such as Montes and Myers. Rocha’s family was present during his court appearance, where he vowed to continue making amends for his actions. Prosecutors highlighted the value of his cooperation with the government in admitting his criminal conduct and continuing to provide information.
