Current:Home > MarketsFormer career US diplomat admits secretly spying for Cuban intelligence for decades -WealthX
Former career US diplomat admits secretly spying for Cuban intelligence for decades
View
Date:2025-04-14 09:48:31
MIAMI (AP) — A former U.S. ambassador said Thursday he will plead guilty to charges of serving as a secret agent for communist Cuba going back decades, bringing an unexpectedly fast resolution to a case prosecutors described as one of the most brazen betrayals in the history of the U.S. foreign service.
Manuel Rocha, 73, told a federal judge he would admit to federal counts of conspiring to act as an agent of a foreign government, charges that could land him behind bars for several years. His defense lawyer indicated that prosecutors have agreed upon a sentence, but the length of that term was not disclosed in court Thursday.
He is due back in court April 12.
“I am in agreement,” Rocha said when asked by U.S. District Court Judge Beth Bloom if he wished to change his plea to guilty.
Prosecutors alleged that Rocha engaged in “clandestine activity” on Cuba’s behalf since at least 1981 — the year he joined the U.S. foreign service — including by meeting with Cuban intelligence operatives and providing false information to U.S. government officials about his contacts.
Federal authorities have said little about exactly what Rocha did to assist Cuba while working for the State Department and in a lucrative post-government career that included a stint as a special adviser to the commander of U.S. Southern Command.
Rocha, whose two-decade career as a U.S. diplomat included top posts in Bolivia, Argentina and the U.S. Interests Section in Havana, was arrested by the FBI at his Miami home in December.
Instead, the case relies largely on what prosecutors say were Rocha’s own admissions, made over the past year to an undercover FBI agent posing as a Cuban intelligence operative named “Miguel.”
Rocha praised the late Cuban leader Fidel Castro as “Comandante,” branded the U.S. the “enemy” and bragged about his service for more than 40 years as a Cuban mole in the heart of U.S. foreign policy circles, the complaint says.
“What we have done … it’s enormous … more than a Grand Slam,” he was quoted as saying at one of several secretly recorded conversations.
veryGood! (968)
Related
- Federal Spending Freeze Could Have Widespread Impact on Environment, Emergency Management
- Turmeric has many purported health benefits. Does science back any of them up?
- An accomplice to convicted murderer Alex Murdaugh’s financial misdeeds gets seven years in prison
- FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried’s lawyers say attempt to jail him before trial is wrong
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Hi Hi!
- Current and recent North Carolina labor commissioners back rival GOP candidates for the job
- General Motors starts shipping Chevy Blazer EV, reveals price and range
- Overstock.com is revamping using Bed Bath & Beyond's name
- Macy's says employee who allegedly hid $150 million in expenses had no major 'impact'
- Mega Millions jackpot at $1.25 billion, fourth-largest in history: When is next drawing?
Ranking
- Megan Fox's ex Brian Austin Green tells Machine Gun Kelly to 'grow up'
- Ex-Border Patrol agent charged with seeking $5,000 bribe from migrant
- Trump hit with sweeping indictment in alleged effort to overturn 2020 election
- A wasted chance to fight addiction? Opioid settlement cash fills a local budget gap
- Former Danish minister for Greenland discusses Trump's push to acquire island
- SUV plows into pedestrians on a busy New York City sidewalk while fleeing from police
- Pre-order the new Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 right now and save up to $300 via trade-in
- Trump indicted by grand jury in special counsel Jack Smith's Jan. 6 investigation
Recommendation
Selena Gomez engaged to Benny Blanco after 1 year together: 'Forever begins now'
'This Fool' is an odd-couple comedy with L.A. flair
Connecticut Sun's Alyssa Thomas becomes first WNBA player to record 20-20-10 triple-double
Ex-Detroit-area prosecutor pleads guilty after embezzling more than $600K
Megan Fox's ex Brian Austin Green tells Machine Gun Kelly to 'grow up'
KORA Organics Skincare From Miranda Kerr Is What Your Routine’s Been Missing — And It Starts at $18
UAW to show list of economic demands to automakers this week, will seek worker pay if plants close
Georgia prosecutors are suing to strike down a new law that hamstrings their authority