Former U.S. Diplomat Sentenced to 15 Years for Spying for Cuba: A Shocking Betrayal

MIAMI - A former career U.S. diplomat faced a shocking revelation as he was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison after admitting to serving as a secret agent for communist Cuba for decades. Manuel Rocha, 73, will also pay a hefty $500,000 fine and collaborate with authorities after pleading guilty to conspiring to act as an agent of a foreign government. The plea agreement dismissed more than a dozen other counts, including wire fraud and making false statements. Rocha, dressed in a beige jail uniform, humbly asked for forgiveness from his friends and family while accepting full responsibility for his actions. U.S. District Court Judge Beth Bloom condemned Rocha's actions as a direct attack on democracy and the safety of American citizens.

The sentencing marked the swift conclusion of a criminal case that prevented a trial shedding new light on Rocha's covert activities over his 20-year tenure with the U.S. State Department. Prosecutors refused to disclose the classified details of his espionage for Cuba and when the government uncovered his treachery. Federal authorities are conducting a confidential damage assessment, expected to span several years. The State Department announced it would collaborate with the intelligence community to fully evaluate the foreign policy and national security implications of these charges.

A Shocking Arrest

Rocha's arrest in Miami came less than six months ago, following allegations of engaging in "clandestine activity" on behalf of Cuba dating back to at least 1981, the year he joined the U.S. foreign service. This case underscored the sophistication of Cuba’s intelligence services, with Rocha's double-crossing going undetected for years. However, a recent Associated Press investigation revealed overlooked red flags, including a warning to a longtime CIA operative nearly two decades ago about Rocha's double agent status.