Ex-U.S. ambassador sentenced to 15 years after decades of spying for Cuba

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Manuel Rocha, a former U.S. ambassador, has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison after admitting to working as a secret agent for Cuba for over 40 years. The Justice Department described his actions as one of the most serious infiltrations of the U.S. government in history. Rocha referred to the United States as 'the enemy' and praised Fidel Castro during an undercover operation conducted by an FBI agent posing as a Cuban spy. He pleaded guilty to charges of conspiring to act as an agent of a foreign government and acting as an agent of a foreign government without notice. Rocha, who served on the National Security Council and as U.S. ambassador to Bolivia, gained access to national secrets and allegedly shared classified information with Cuban intelligence operatives. He was ordered to pay $500,000, forfeit future pension payments, cooperate with the U.S. government, and share details of his dealings with Cuba. Rocha also agreed to work undercover for the U.S. government if requested.

#Espionage #Cuba #UsGovernment

https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2024/04/13/manuel-rocha-cuba-espionage-sentencing/