Former ambassador to Bolivia indicted for alleged decades-long collaboration with Cuban intelligence providers.
The US Division of Justice (DOJ) has charged a former US ambassador to Bolivia for allegedly working as an spy for Cuban intelligence providers for many years.
In court docket paperwork launched Monday, the DOJ alleged that Manuel Rocha had participated in “clandestine actions” with the Cuban authorities since not less than 1981, sharing false data with the U.S. and assembly with Cuban brokers.
The 73-year-old former ambassador spent 25 years within the US International Service and held high posts in South American international locations comparable to Bolivia and Argentina.
The case in opposition to Rocha “exposes some of the far-reaching and longest infiltrations of the U.S. authorities by a overseas agent,” Lawyer Common Merrick Garland stated in a press release explaining the allegations.
“Those that have the privilege of serving in the USA authorities obtain great belief from the general public we serve,” Garland stated.
“Beating that belief by falsely pledging allegiance to the USA whereas serving a overseas energy is against the law that will likely be fought with the total power of the Division of Justice.”
The DOJ has accused Rocha of appearing as an unlawful agent of a overseas authorities. U.S. regulation requires these appearing on behalf of overseas governments to register with the DOJ.
The Related Press information company reported that Rocha was arrested on Friday as a part of a counterintelligence investigation by the FBI, the US home intelligence company.
The AP reported that Rocha has been charged in a federal court docket in Miami, Florida, and is predicted to seem in court docket on Monday.
The U.S. State Division web site states that Rocha was sworn in as ambassador to Bolivia on July 14, 2000.
In 2002, he intervened in Bolivia’s presidential race, warning that the US would lower assist if Bolivians elected Evo Morales, a left-wing candidate and former coca leaf grower.
Rocha’s speech, interpreted as an try to form the result of elections in a area the place the US has an extended historical past of subterfuge and interference, angered Bolivians and helped propel Morales to victory.
Since retiring from authorities service, Rocha has began a brand new profession as president of a Dominican gold mine partly owned by Canada’s Barrick Gold that has been accused of environmental degradation, the AP reported.
The corporate has additionally confronted accusations that it was complicit in extrajudicial killings in Tanzania.
