startling revelation has sent shockwaves through the diplomatic community: Victor Manuel Rocha, a former US ambassador and decorated State Department official, has been unmasked as a Cuban double agent. Rocha, 73, was recently sentenced to 15 years in prison for acting as a foreign agent on behalf of the Cuban government, leaving a trail of unanswered questions and intrigue.
A Door-to-Door Spy
In 2007, a man named Rocha approached Carolyn Lamb in her Omaha home, offering to purchase her father’s claims to an 80-acre farm, a vintage Buick, and shares in the Cuban Telephone Company that Castro’s government seized decades earlier. Lamb describes Rocha’s overtures as suspicious, noting his low-ball offer and his familiarity with her family’s history.
Lamb’s suspicion echoes a broader concern involving nearly 6,000 American claims to Cuban land and property confiscated by Castro’s regime. These claims, valued at over billion, represent a major obstacle in the normalization of US-Cuba relations.
The Shadows of Espionage
Rocha’s arrest has raised suspicions that his activities in the claims business were part of a covert mission to undermine their value and potentially thwart their settlement. Jason Poblete, Carolyn Lamb’s attorney, wonders if Rocha’s participation was part of a scheme to “give an escape clause” to the Cuban government if negotiations were ever to take place.
Rocha’s so-called business partner, Timothy Ashby, expressed shock and disbelief upon learning about Rocha’s dual life as a spy. Yet, in retrospect, Ashby acknowledges subtle signs of Rocha’s clandestine activities, such as his concerns about eavesdropping and his apparent distaste for the wealthy.
Through undercover recordings, FBI agents documented Rocha revealing his allegiance to Cuba, referring to the United States as “the enemy” and revealing his recruitment in Chile during the 1970s.
Covert Career and Hidden Agenda
Born in Colombia, Rocha became a US citizen in 1978 and joined the State Department in 1981. His diplomatic career took him to various embassies and culminated in his appointment as US ambassador to Bolivia. He also served on the National Security Council, overseeing Cuba-related matters. Throughout this time, he enjoyed access to confidential US government information.
After retiring from the State Department, Rocha advised the US Southern Command, which oversees military operations in the region including Cuba. It was during this period that he partnered with Ashby in the claims business.
The Price of Treason
Rocha’s betrayal has left a bitter taste in the mouths of those who trusted him. Carolyn Lamb, along with thousands of other American claims holders, feels forgotten and ignored as their compensation remains elusive. Poblete, her attorney, warns that his client may file a lawsuit against Rocha to seek justice for both herself and other victims of his espionage.
The ongoing debriefing between Rocha and US authorities is expected to shed light on his activities as a double agent, the information he provided to Cuba, and whether he influenced the claims process to benefit his home country.
Victor Manuel Rocha’s story is a tale of deceit, espionage, and the hidden price of treachery. As the facts continue to unravel, it serves as a stark reminder of the enduring threat posed by covert agents and the potential for foreign influence in our midst.
Data sourced from: cnbc.com
