A former U.S. diplomat has confessed to engaging in espionage for Cuba over several decades, informing a judge of his intention to plead guilty to federal charges linked to his activities on behalf of the communist government.
Victor Manuel Rocha, who previously served as the U.S. ambassador to Bolivia, was formally charged in December with allegations of spying for Cuba’s intelligence agency spanning a period of forty years.
During a recent court session in Miami, Rocha expressed his willingness to plead guilty to two counts of conspiring to act as an agent of a foreign government, as reported by The Associated Press. In exchange for his admission of guilt, prosecutors have agreed to drop numerous other charges against him.
These two charges could result in a maximum prison sentence ranging from five to ten years. Rocha affirmed his decision to change his plea when asked by the judge during the hearing. His intention to alter his plea was recorded on the case docket following the proceedings, with a scheduled return to court set for April 12.
According to investigators, Rocha was recruited by Cuba’s Directorate of Intelligence in Chile back in 1973. Prosecutors claim that he was directed to fabricate a cover story to conceal his clandestine activities.
Attorney General Merrick Garland characterized Rocha’s case as one of the most extensive and enduring penetrations of the U.S. government by a foreign operative. Garland highlighted Rocha’s pursuit of U.S. government positions that would grant him access to sensitive information and the ability to influence American foreign policy.
While authorities have not disclosed the specific information Rocha may have shared with Cuba or how he could have impacted U.S. policy, the indictment indicates that Rocha held high-level security clearances providing him with access to classified material.
Rocha reportedly had multiple encounters with an undercover FBI agent, whom he believed to be a representative of Cuba’s intelligence services. During these meetings, Rocha referred to the U.S. as “the enemy” and expressed pride in their actions, indicating a strong commitment to protecting Cuba’s leadership and revolution.
Born in Colombia, Rocha became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1978. He served in various roles within the State Department for over two decades, including as ambassador to Bolivia from 2000 to 2002. His responsibilities also included oversight of Cuba during his tenure as director for inter-American affairs at the National Security Council and as a deputy principal officer at the U.S. diplomatic mission in Havana. Following his departure from the State Department, he served as an advisor to the commander of the U.S. Southern Command, which oversees operations in Cuba.
Rocha’s tenure in government coincided with that of Ana Montes, a former Defense Intelligence Agency analyst who was imprisoned for twenty years after being convicted of spying for Cuba. Montes was recruited by Cuban intelligence in 1984 prior to her employment at the Defense Intelligence Agency.
In one of his meetings with the undercover FBI agent, Rocha reportedly commended a U.S. government employee who had spied for Cuba, expressing regret over her betrayal and suggesting she could have accomplished more if not for being exposed. He later identified this individual as “Ana,” according to the indictment.
