Former U.S. Ambassador Victor Manuel Rocha has been charged with acting as an agent for Cuba and has pleaded "not guilty". The charges come amid revelations from an AP investigation that indicated potential missed warnings about Rocha's activities years before his arrest. The investigation highlighted a tip received by the CIA suggesting Rocha was a turncoat and described as a "super mole" for Fidel Castro in Washington. Rocha, known for his stature within Miami's elite and his Ivy League education, was arrested and has since transferred four luxury condos to his wife. His arraignment saw him shackled and with an unruly gray beard, while his attorney Jackie Arango declined to comment on the property transfers. The case has sparked discussions about the oversight of U.S. diplomats and the potential implications for national security. Ex CIA operative Félix Rodríguez was dubious in 2006 when a Cuban defector alleged Rocha was a spy. "This is a monumental screw-up," said Pete Romero, ex assistant secretary of state.
At his arraignment today in Miami, ex Ambassador Rocha was shackled and sported an unruly gray beard as he pleaded not guilty to charges of serving as a Cuban agent. His attorney Jackie Arango waved away questions by press about 4 condos Rocha transferred last week to his wife. https://t.co/JqefxUzFi4
Former diplomat appears in Miami federal court, pleads not guilty to Cuba agent charges Read more at: https://t.co/ieELsxoOsK
Former diplomat appears in Miami federal court, pleads not guilty to Cuba agent charges https://t.co/XZ3yLk2iIx
Great reporting here: Red flags, missed clues: How accused US diplomat-turned-Cuban spy avoided scrutiny for decades https://t.co/ceGjQGHzxN
Red flags, missed clues: How accused US diplomat-turned-Cuban spy avoided scrutiny for decades (from @AP) https://t.co/iRHS7WAHTW
Long before career U.S. diplomat Manuel Rocha was arrested on charges of being a secret agent of Cuba for decades, there were plenty of red flags. https://t.co/godSRYVE9M
“This is a monumental screw-up,” said Pete Romero, ex assistant secretary of state who worked with accused US diplomat-turned-Cuba spy Manuel Rocha. “All of us are doing a lot of soul searching. He did an amazing job covering his tracks.” w/ @JimMustian https://t.co/ex6vQhonPK
At the turn of the centruty, the US had a Cuban spy, Manuel Rocha, as an Ambassador and player in Latin America. No one in the DeepState paid a cost. Now this piece shows that Biden's White House was favoring a Peronist in the Argentine elections https://t.co/TxiF8q5xfW
This article on undetected Cuban spy Manuel Rocha is exactly the kind of deep and precise reporting for which @APjoshgoodman has justifiably, earned his solid reputation. This article is highly recommended reading for anyone working in or on Latin America law and politics. https://t.co/yIhB8iPGuq
Accused US diplomat-turned-Cuban spy avoided scrutiny for decades despite red flags. https://t.co/WQlAbd7SSM
Red flags, missed clues: How accused US diplomat-turned-Cuban spy avoided scrutiny for decades (from @AP) By @APjoshgoodman & @JimMustian https://t.co/HQ3hLnQhJA
Red flags, missed clues: How accused US diplomat-turned-Cuban spy avoided scrutiny for decades https://t.co/jxHGDP3rZD
Manuel Rocha was known in Miami’s elite circles for an almost regal bearing that was fitting for an Ivy League-trained U.S. diplomat. So ex CIA operative Félix Rodríguez was dubious in 2006 when a Cuban defector came to his home alleging Rocha was a spy. https://t.co/ex6vQhnQ0c
Red flags missed? An AP investigation found that years before U.S. diplomat Manuel Rocha was arrested for being a secret agent of Cuba, the CIA received a tip that Rocha was a turncoat and Fidel Castro had a "super mole" burrowed deep in Washington. https://t.co/ex6vQhnQ0c
Former US ambassador accused of secretly working for Cuba pleads not guilty https://t.co/6VeVPe4tnY
Ex-US ambassador to #Bolivia Manuel Rocha pleas "not guilty" to charges of spying for Cuba. This should get interesting. https://t.co/TrQBjKSPsn
Rocha pleads not guilty to charges of acting as Cuba agent, transfers condos to his wife https://t.co/n3bmsEJJBI
Former US ambassador Victor Manuel Rocha pleads not guilty to charges of acting as #Cuba agent, transfers four luxury condos to his wife. https://t.co/hU3THm5ue3