Ex-U.S. Ambassador Accused of Being a Cuban Agent Rose From Humble Origins

Brandon Van Grack spoke to The New York Times regarding the indictment of former United States ambassador Manuel Rocha, who was accused of working for Cuba’s spy service for decades. Rocha was charged with acting as an illegal agent of a foreign government, with wire fraud and with lying on passport application forms, but, notably, he does not face espionage charges.

Brandon stated that the government will likely file espionage charges if it uncovers sufficient evidence that Rocha disclosed classified information to the Cubans. “Trying to wrap your hands around what could have been compromised” over 40 years will be “incredibly daunting,” he said.

Brandon also noted that in other espionage cases involving Cuba, the government has offered plea deals in exchange for a full accounting of how Cuba recruited and handled its American spies.

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