A former US ambassador to Bolivia, Manuel Rocha, has been apprehended in Miami as part of an extensive FBI counterintelligence inquiry. Anonymous sources revealed to the media that Rocha, 73, is accused of clandestinely operating as an agent for the Cuban government. The arrest occurred on Friday, and further details about the case are expected to emerge during a court appearance on Monday.
The Justice Department is reportedly pursuing charges against Rocha for allegedly advancing the interests of the Cuban government without registering as required by federal law. In recent years, the Justice Department has intensified its efforts to criminally prosecute individuals engaged in illicit foreign lobbying.
As of now, the Justice Department has refrained from making any comments on the matter. It remains unclear whether Rocha has legal representation, and a former law firm where he worked indicated that it is not representing him. Additionally, Rocha’s wife declined to comment when contacted by the AP.
Rocha, with a diplomatic career spanning 25 years, served under both Democratic and Republican administrations, predominantly in Latin America during the Cold War era. He held diplomatic roles in various countries, including Argentina and Bolivia. Notably, during the 2002 Bolivian presidential race, Rocha stirred controversy by warning that the U.S. would cease assistance to the country if it elected Evo Morales, a former coca grower. This move was perceived by many as an attempt to assert U.S. influence in the region.
Born in Colombia and raised in New York City, Rocha acquired multiple liberal arts degrees from prestigious institutions like Yale, Harvard, and Georgetown before joining the foreign service in 1981. After retiring from the State Department, he ventured into business, serving as the president of a gold mine in the Dominican Republic and holding senior positions in companies like XCoal, Clover Leaf Capital, Foley & Lardner, and Spanish public relations firms Llorente & Cuenca.
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Rocha’s recent roles at XCoal, Clover Leaf Capital, and Foley & Lardner have attracted scrutiny in the wake of his arrest. While some firms declined to comment, Llorente & Cuenca expressed a commitment to transparency and indicated their willingness to cooperate fully with authorities if necessary. Foley & Lardner confirmed that Rocha left the law firm in August.