Miami, Florida – An ex-diplomat who previously served as the US ambassador to Bolivia has been handed a 15-year prison sentence for acting as a spy for Cuba. Victor Manuel Rocha, aged 73, has been found guilty of covertly sharing information with the Cuban government for over four decades.
Rocha, a Colombian-born individual educated at Yale and Harvard, held various diplomatic positions in countries like Argentina, Honduras, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic. His espionage activities, which unfolded over a significant period, have been described as one of the most extensive and enduring penetrations of the US government by a foreign agent.
Following his tenure as a diplomat, Rocha later worked as a consultant for the US military’s Southern Command, overseeing operations in Latin America and the Caribbean, including Cuba. In 2022, Rocha was contacted by an undercover FBI agent posing as a Cuban intelligence operative through WhatsApp.
During subsequent meetings, Rocha admitted to his previous espionage activities on behalf of Cuba and emphasized his dedication to protecting their shared endeavors. His staunch loyalty to the Cuban regime even led him to express discontent at the notion of his allegiance being questioned.
The relationship between the US and Cuba has long been strained, dating back to the Cuban Revolution of 1959 and subsequent trade embargoes. Although attempts were made to normalize relations in 2015 under the Obama administration, these efforts were partially reversed during the Trump presidency.
In response to Rocha’s sentencing, former CIA counterintelligence chief James Olson expressed his disdain for the ex-diplomat’s actions, labeling him a “traitor.” Olson highlighted the historical success of Cuban intelligence services in outmaneuvering their US counterparts, emphasizing the impact of Rocha’s betrayal of his country.
Rocha’s guilty plea underscores the enduring complexities and challenges faced in maintaining national security, particularly in the realm of international espionage. As the case unfolds, it serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing battle for intelligence supremacy in the global arena.