Former United States Ambassador to Bolivia, Victor Manuel Rocha, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to espionage charges. Rocha admitted to spying on the US government for Cuba over a span of more than a decade.
The sentencing was delivered by US District Judge Beth Bloom in Miami on Friday. Along with the prison term, Rocha was fined $500,000, the maximum penalty allowed. The case against Rocha was initiated in December, with Attorney General Merrick Garland describing it as one of the most extensive and enduring penetrations of the US government by a foreign agent.
Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen characterized Rocha’s actions as a profound betrayal, given his simultaneous roles within the US government. Rocha held various positions of trust, including serving as the ambassador to Bolivia from 2000 to 2002, and held high-ranking positions in several embassies and the White House during the Bill Clinton administration over a period of more than 20 years in public service.
Rocha’s guilty plea on two counts, including acting as an agent of a foreign government, marked the culmination of a lengthy investigation. Olsen emphasized the gravity of Rocha’s actions, highlighting the magnitude of the deception perpetrated against the American people and the falsity of the oaths he swore to the United States.
The sentencing of Rocha serves as a significant milestone in bringing an end to decades of covert activities and underscores the US government’s commitment to safeguarding national security against foreign espionage.
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