Former U.S. Ambassador to Bolivia Manuel Rocha was arrested and charged Monday with conspiracy, acting as an illegal agent of a foreign government, and unlawful use of a passport obtained by a false statement. Rocha allegedly has been spying for Cuba since 1981 while working at U.S. embassies, during his time as ambassador to Bolivia from 2000 to 2002, and most recently working as an advisor to the commander of the U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM).
While being investigated, Rocha spoke with an undercover FBI agent and was recorded stating, “For me, what has been done, has strengthened the Revolution,” and continued, “What we have done … it’s enormous … more than a Grand Slam,” speaking on his espionage for Cuba.
In a press release by the U.S. Department of Justice, Attorney General Merrick Garland said, “To betray that trust by falsely pledging loyalty to the United States while serving a foreign power is a crime that will be met with the full force of the Justice Department.”
