Former US diplomat Victor Manuel Rocha has been sentenced to 15 years in prison after admitting to spying for Cuba for over four decades, including during his 20-year diplomatic career. The US Justice Department described Rocha’s actions as one of the most significant and enduring penetrations of the US government.
Victor Manuel Rocha, 73, was arrested at his Miami home in December 2023, charged with covertly supporting Cuba’s Communist Party and aiding its intelligence operations against the United States since at least 1981, when he began his diplomatic service. Prosecutors allege that Rocha collaborated with Cuban intelligence agents, providing false information to US officials about his contacts.
During interactions with undercover FBI agents posing as representatives of Cuba’s intelligence agency between 2022 and 2023, Rocha admitted to his lengthy collaboration with Cuba. Recorded conversations reveal his admiration for Fidel Castro and his claims of serving as a Cuban informant within US foreign policy circles for over 40 years.
US officials expressed uncertainty about the full extent of Rocha’s activities, emphasizing the challenges in assessing the damage caused by his espionage.
