A former career U.S. diplomat informed a federal judge on Thursday that he intends to plead guilty to charges of serving as a secret agent for communist Cuba over several decades. This unexpected decision marks a swift conclusion to a case described by prosecutors as one of the most audacious betrayals in U.S. foreign service history.
A Cuban Spy Confession
Manuel Rocha's dramatic downfall may lead to a significant prison sentence, as the 73-year-old has indicated his intention to confess to federal charges of conspiring to serve as a foreign government's agent.
Prosecutors and Rocha's lawyer mentioned a plea deal with an agreed sentence but did not share specifics in Thursday's hearing. Rocha will return to court on April 12 to finalize his guilty plea and receive sentencing.
Shackled at the hands and ankles, Manuel Rocha agreed when asked by U.S. District Court Judge Beth Bloom if he wanted to switch his plea to guilty. In exchange, prosecutors agreed to dismiss 13 counts, including wire fraud and making false statements.
The brief session did not provide any fresh insights into the lingering query since Rocha's arrest in December: What specific actions did he undertake to assist Cuba during his two-decade tenure at the State Department? This period involved serving as ambassador to Bolivia and holding prominent positions in Argentina, Mexico, the White House, and the U.S. Interests Section in Havana.
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Who Is Ambassador Rocha?
"Ambassador Rocha," as he liked to be addressed, was a familiar figure among Miami's affluent circles, carrying himself with an aristocratic, almost royal demeanor that suited his Ivy League education. Following his government service, he worked as a special adviser to the commander of the U.S. Southern Command. He later emerged as a vocal supporter of Donald Trump and a staunch opponent of Cuba, a role that friends and prosecutors claim he adopted to conceal his true loyalties.
A Win-Win Case Resolution
Peter Lapp, who led FBI counterintelligence efforts against Cuba from 1998 to 2005, noted that the fast resolution of the case is advantageous for both the aging Rocha and the government, which provides an opportunity for the government to gain insights into Cuba's infiltration of U.S. foreign policy circles.
Usually, in counterintelligence cases, defendants face charges of espionage. However, Rocha was accused of lesser offenses related to acting as a foreign agent, which carries a shorter maximum prison sentence of between five and ten years, making it simpler for both prosecutors and Rocha to agree.
According to Lapp, who previously investigated Ana Montes, the highest-ranking U.S. official convicted of spying for Cuba, it is a win-win for both sides, where Rocha benefits by receiving a significant payoff and the opportunity to reunite with his family. At the same time, the U.S. gains the ability to conduct a comprehensive damage assessment that would be challenging without Rocha's cooperation, emphasizing crucial details that only the defendant can provide.
The Agreement's Backlash from the Exile Community
The sudden agreement faced backlash from the Cuban exile community, with some legal experts expressing concerns that it was too lenient.
Carlos Trujillo, a Miami lawyer and
former U.S. Ambassador to the Organization of American States, criticized the potential outcome, stating that any sentence allowing Rocha to regain freedom would not constitute justice, emphasizing Rocha's role as a spy for a foreign enemy that endangered American lives.
The Justice Department declined to comment.
Rocha's Arrest in His Residence
Rocha was arrested at his Miami residence by the FBI, accused of secretly working for Cuba since 1981, which is the same year he joined the U.S. foreign service, including meeting with Cuban intelligence agents and misleading U.S. officials about his connections.
Rocha made a series of recorded confessions to an undercover FBI agent, believing the agent was a Cuban intelligence operative named "Miguel," who contacted him via WhatsApp, claiming to relay a message from friends in Havana.
In court records, prosecutors stated that Rocha praised the late Cuban leader Fidel Castro as "Comandante," labeled the U.S. as the "enemy," and boasted about his over 40 years of service as a Cuban informant within U.S. foreign policy circles. He was quoted as saying, "What we have done... it's enormous... more than a Grand Slam."
Numerous Red Flags Pointing to Rocha
Federal authorities have provided little details regarding Rocha's specific actions supporting Cuba. FBI and State Department investigators are undertaking a confidential intelligence damage assessment that may span several years. However, a recent investigation by the Associated Press revealed numerous overlooked warning signs throughout the years.
Among these were instances such as a 2006 tip to a longtime CIA operative, indicating that Rocha was functioning as a double agent. However, this lead was not followed up on. Additionally, separate intelligence from as far back as 1987 indicated that the CIA knew about a "super mole" within the U.S. government, with suspicions pointing to Rocha.
Lawrence Gumbiner, a retired career diplomat, emphasized that Rocha's ability to evade detection for such an extended period highlights the advanced capabilities of Cuba's intelligence services. Gumbiner, who acted as the U.S. ambassador to Cuba in 2017 and 2018, noted that it is a moment for contemplation for those who knew and collaborated with Rocha, adding that while the complete extent of the harm he inflicted is not yet known, it is difficult to believe that he did not convey serious information that compromised U.S. intelligence operations and efforts against the Castro regime.
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