International Courant
A former U.S. ambassador to Bolivia is accused of calling Cuban dictator Fidel Castro “Comandante” and describing america because the “enemy,” in keeping with an unsealed prison criticism Monday.
On the prime of a gathering of the DOJ’s Reproductive Rights Activity Pressure, U.S. Legal professional Basic Merrick Garland first introduced a “vital nationwide safety associated enforcement motion” the Justice Division has taken in charging Victor Manuel Rocha, 73, with “illegally appearing as an agent of a international authorities.”
Rocha, who’s from Miami, Florida, is a former U.S. Division of State worker who served on the Nationwide Safety Council from 1994 to 1995 and finally as U.S. Ambassador to Bolivia from 2000 to 2002.
His service additionally included deputy principal officer on the U.S. Pursuits Part in Havana, Cuba, Garland mentioned.
FORMER US AMBASSADOR ARRESTED, ACCUSED OF SECRETLY SERVING AS AGENT TO CUBA: REPORT
The FBI arrested former U.S. ambassador Victor Manuel Rocha in Miami. (GONZALO ESPINOZA/AFP through Getty Photographs)
After leaving the State Division, Rocha served as adviser to the commander of the U.S. Southern Command, a joint command of america navy whose space of accountability consists of Cuba, from about 2006 to 2012.
“This motion exposes one of many highest reaching and longest enduring infiltrations of U.S. authorities by a international agent,” Garland mentioned. “Particularly, the prison criticism alleges that for over 40 years, Rocha acted as a covert agent of the Cuban authorities. That, and the criticism alleges, Rocha sought out employment with U.S. authorities that would offer him with entry to nonpublic info and the power to have an effect on U.S. international coverage.”
Legal professional Basic Merrick Garland speaks on Monday, Dec. 4, 2023, in Washington, about Manuel Rocha, the previous American diplomat being charged with serving as a undercover agent for Cuba’s intelligence providers. (AP Photograph/Stephanie Scarbrough)
The criticism outlines actions Rocha took allegedly “in assist Cuba’s clandestine intelligence gathering mission in opposition to america.”
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Rocha repeatedly referred to america as “the enemy” throughout discussions with an undercover FBI agent, the criticism says.
He additionally allegedly advised the secret agent that his efforts to infiltrate america authorities have been “meticulous and really disciplined” and he repeatedly bragged concerning the significance of his efforts, saying that “what has been accomplished has strengthened the revolution immensely,” Garland mentioned.
Posters of the Committees for the Protection of the Revolution (CDR) are seen hanging, in Havana, on Sept. 27, 2023, forward of the 63th anniversary of the”eyes and ears of the Revolution” created by the late Cuban chief Fidel Castro. (YAMIL LAGE/AFP through Getty Photographs)
When the secret agent advised Rocha he was “a covert consultant right here in Miami” whose mission was “to contact you, introduce myself as your new contact, and set up a brand new communication plan,” Rocha answered, “Sure,” and proceeded to interact in a prolonged dialog throughout which he described and celebrated his exercise as a Cuban intelligence agent, in keeping with the criticism. All through the conferences, Rocha behaved as a Cuban agent and used the time period “we” to explain himself and Cuba, prosecutors say.
Rocha moreover praised Fidel Castro because the “Comandante,” and referred to his contacts in Cuban intelligence as his “Compañeros” (comrades) and to the Cuban intelligence providers because the “Dirección,” the criticism says. Rocha allegedly additionally described his work as a Cuban agent as “a grand slam.”
The FBI arrested Rocha on Friday in Miami and he’ll make his first court docket look within the Southern District of Florida on Monday afternoon, Garland mentioned.
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“Those that have the privilege of serving within the authorities of america are given an infinite quantity of belief by the general public we serve,” Garland mentioned Monday. “To betray that belief, by falsely pledging loyalty to america whereas serving a international energy is against the law that will likely be met with the complete drive of the Justice Division.
As the one Cuban-born member of Congress, Rep. Carlos Gimenez, R-Fla., reacted Sunday to studies of Rochas’ arrest for allegedly spying for Cuba, calling for the “rapid implementation of sanctions in opposition to the Castro regime” and a full investigation.
Danielle Wallace is a reporter for Fox Information Digital protecting politics, crime, police and extra. Story ideas might be despatched to [email protected] and on Twitter: @danimwallace.
