Manuel Rocha, the ex-US ambassador to Bolivia who was accused of secretly working as a foreign agent for Cuba, has stated in court that he intends to plead guilty to the charges against him. According to his court docket, Rocha, aged 73, faces multiple charges, such as being an illegal agent of a foreign government, wire fraud, and providing false information to investigators. Prosecutors claim that the former diplomat had been working as a secret agent for Cuba's intelligence services for many years.
During a hearing in Miami on Thursday, Rocha and prosecutors shared that the Defendant will be changing his plea, as stated in the court docket. Initially, Rocha had pleaded not guilty earlier this month.
The court record does not specify the charges to which Rocha plans to plead guilty. His next court appearance is scheduled for April 12.
Rocha has had a long and varied career in the diplomatic service. He served as the US ambassador to Bolivia from 2000 to 2002 and as the deputy principal officer of the US Interests Section in Cuba in the 1990s. In the 1980s, he worked for the US Embassy in the Dominican Republic and the US Consulate in Italy. Additionally, he held various roles for US embassies in Mexico and Argentina.
During his time as the political officer at the US Embassy in the Dominican Republic, Rocha was given "special responsibility" for Cuba, according to prosecutors.
During multiple meetings with an undercover FBI employee pretending to be a Cuban intelligence member, Rocha consistently called the US "the enemy" and spoke highly of Fidel Castro, a Cuban revolutionary and politician, as per court records.
Editor's P/S:
The revelation that Manuel Rocha, a former US ambassador to Bolivia, intends to plead guilty to charges of being an illegal foreign agent for Cuba is both shocking and deeply concerning. It is a betrayal of the trust placed in him as a diplomat and undermines the integrity of the diplomatic service. The allegations of Rocha's secret activities for decades raise serious questions about the extent of foreign influence within the US government and the potential compromise of sensitive information.
The fact that Rocha initially pleaded not guilty only to change his plea later suggests a possible plea deal or cooperation with the prosecution. While it is essential to allow due process to unfold, the prospect of Rocha providing information against others involved in these activities is deeply troubling. It highlights the need for thorough investigations to uncover the full extent of foreign interference and to ensure that those responsible are held accountable.