Who is Manuel Rocha? Ex-US Ambassador, accused of acting as a Cuban agent, apprehended in Florida.

News: Manuel Rocha, the ex-U.S. ambassador to Bolivia, has been apprehended in Miami after an FBI counterintelligence probe. The arrest is linked to accusations of Rocha serving as a representative for the Cuban government. This incident occurred last Friday, and further insights into the case are anticipated during a court hearing scheduled for Monday.

Early Life and Career

Born in Cuba in 1950, Manuel Rocha migrated to the United States with his family at the age of ten. He pursued his higher education at Georgetown University Law Center and the University of Miami. Rocha initiated his career in the U.S. Foreign Service in 1976, serving in diverse diplomatic roles across Latin America and the Caribbean. Particularly noteworthy was his tenure from 1989 to 1991 when he managed consular affairs in Havana, Cuba, navigating through a challenging period of tense diplomatic relations between the United States and Cuba.

Ambassador to Bolivia

In 1994, President Bill Clinton nominated Manuel Rocha as the Ambassador to Bolivia, a position he held until 1998. Throughout his tenure, Rocha played a crucial role in strengthening diplomatic ties between Bolivia and the United States. Notably, he served as a principal negotiator for the Andean Trade Promotion and Drug Eradication Act, successfully securing its passage by the U.S. Congress in 2002. Following his departure from the Foreign Service, Rocha remained actively engaged in providing expertise on Latin American affairs. He also contributed his insights by serving on the boards of organizations such as the Council of the Americas and the Cuba Transition Project.

Currently, specific details concerning the allegations against Rocha and the precise actions he is accused of carrying out on behalf of the Cuban government have not been revealed. The ongoing FBI counterintelligence investigation is expected to unveil additional information as the case unfolds, shedding light on the nature of the accusations against him.

FAQs

Q: What is Manuel Rocha accused of?

Manuel Rocha is alleged to have acted as an agent of the Cuban government.

Q: At what time was Manuel Rocha taken into custody?

A: Manuel Rocha was apprehended on a Friday.

Q: What outcomes are anticipated from the court hearing scheduled for Monday?

A: The court hearing on Monday is expected to provide further insights into the case and disclose additional details.