Former US ambassador Manuel Rocha, accused of acting as a secret foreign agent of Cuba, pleaded guilty to federal charges in Miami. The 73-year-old Rocha pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to act as an agent of a foreign government and defrauding the United States. He also admitted to acting as an illegal agent of a foreign government without notifying the US government.
Prosecutors alleged that Rocha had been a covert agent of Cuba's intelligence services for decades. The charges against him included acting as an illegal agent of a foreign government, wire fraud, and making false statements to investigators.
During a hearing in Miami, Rocha announced his intention to plead guilty after initially pleading not guilty to all charges. Rocha had served as the US ambassador to Bolivia from 2000 to 2002 and held various diplomatic roles in Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Italy, Mexico, and Argentina.
The case highlights the seriousness of foreign espionage activities and the legal consequences for individuals found guilty of such actions. Rocha's guilty plea underscores the importance of transparency and adherence to diplomatic protocols in international relations.
