Former US Ambassador to Bolivia, Manuel Rocha, is expected to plead guilty to federal charges on Friday, accusing him of acting as a secret foreign agent of Cuba. The specific charges he will plead guilty to have not yet been disclosed, but prosecutors have alleged that he acted as a covert agent of Cuba’s intelligence services for many years. This includes charges of acting as an illegal agent of a foreign government, wire fraud, and making false statements to investigators. Rocha is also scheduled to be sentenced on the same day.
Rocha had initially pleaded not guilty to all charges earlier in the year but announced his intention to plead guilty at a court hearing in Miami in February. With a background as the US ambassador to Bolivia from 2000 to 2002 and serving in various roles at US embassies in Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Italy, Mexico, and Argentina, Rocha has had a long diplomatic career. His position as a political officer at the US Embassy in the Dominican Republic gave him special responsibility for Cuba, according to prosecutors.
During meetings with an undercover FBI employee posing as a member of Cuban intelligence, Rocha reportedly referred to the US as “the enemy” and praised Cuban revolutionary Fidel Castro. He also claimed to be in charge of the “knock down of the small planes,” believed to refer to an incident during his tenure in Havana when two unarmed planes operated by Brothers to the Rescue, a US-based group against Castro’s government, were shot down by Cuba, resulting in four fatalities. Rocha allegedly expressed concerns about actions from Washington that could endanger the Cuban leadership or revolution.
In light of these allegations and the evidence presented by prosecutors, Rocha’s decision to plead guilty suggests a significant development in the case. His long-standing connections and roles in various US embassies, including his time as the US ambassador to Bolivia, have come under scrutiny in relation to his alleged actions as a covert agent for Cuba. The information revealed during his interactions with the undercover FBI employee indicates a deep involvement with Cuban intelligence services and potentially compromising actions against US interests.
As the sentencing approaches on Friday, Rocha’s plea and admission of guilt may shed further light on his actions and motivations while serving in diplomatic roles in Latin America. The case raises questions about the extent of foreign influence in American governmental institutions and the potential risks posed by individuals acting as covert agents for foreign governments. The outcome of this trial may have broader implications for diplomatic practices and security measures within the US government.
