The FBI has shed new light on the espionage activities of Víctor Manuel Rocha, a former diplomat who spied for Cuba over more than 40 years, reaching into the National Security Council and even the White House. This was revealed in an episode of the bureau's official podcast.
According to FBI special agents featured in the podcast, Rocha began his collaboration with Cuban intelligence back in 1973, operating under the alias "El Búho" for the regime's Directorate General of Intelligence (DGI), as reported by Univision.
"His level of access was extraordinary, ranging from the Contra project in Latin America to the National Security Council, the White House, U.S. policy towards Cuba, immigration agreements, government operations, and the identities of officials," an FBI special agent stated during the podcast.
Rocha's Early Missions and Recruitment
Federal agents outlined that Rocha's initial task from Cuba was to become a naturalized U.S. citizen. His entry into the State Department was strategic: "He chose the State Department because they didn’t use polygraphs," an FBI special agent explained.
The podcast also disclosed the identity of the Cuban officer who recruited and trained Rocha in Chile in 1973—an agent from the DGI known as "Aquiles," who had recently returned from fighting in the Angolan war.
"Rocha came to idolize his trainer, a Cuban security officer named 'Aquiles,' who had just come back from combat in Angola," noted an FBI special agent.
The Impact of Rocha's Espionage
José Cohen, a former Cuban state security agent interviewed by Univision 23 Miami, described "Aquiles" as "a high-ranking officer in the intelligence service," though he clarified he was unaware that Rocha was his trainee.
The FBI reports that Rocha relayed everything he deemed valuable to the DGI, including sensitive information about Central American operations, which agents described as having dire consequences.
Rocha served as the U.S. ambassador to Bolivia from 2000 to 2002 and as the deputy head of the U.S. Interests Section in Cuba between July 1994 and July 1995, all while working for the Castro regime.
Consequences and Future Implications
He was apprehended in Miami in December 2023 following an extensive undercover FBI operation. In April 2024, Rocha was sentenced to 15 years in prison and fined $500,000 as part of a plea deal that includes his cooperation in assessing the extent of the damage caused.
These revelations emerge amid the Trump administration's policy of maximum pressure against the Cuban dictatorship, which it labeled a national security threat.
Cohen warned that Rocha's downfall might not mark the end: "So far, among those uncovered, Rocha is the longest-serving, even surpassing Ana Belén Montes, but I wouldn't rule out the possibility of others being discovered who have been active as long as Rocha."
Key Insights into Víctor Rocha's Espionage
Who was Víctor Manuel Rocha?
Víctor Manuel Rocha was a former U.S. diplomat who spied for Cuba over four decades, infiltrating high-level U.S. government positions.
What was Rocha's role in the U.S. government?
Rocha served as the U.S. ambassador to Bolivia and the deputy head of the U.S. Interests Section in Cuba, among other positions.
How was Rocha recruited by Cuban intelligence?
Rocha was recruited by a DGI agent known as "Aquiles" in Chile in 1973, who had recently returned from the Angolan war.
What were the consequences of Rocha's espionage activities?
Rocha's espionage led to significant breaches in U.S. security and sensitive information being passed to Cuba, resulting in a 15-year prison sentence and a $500,000 fine.