The Justice Division is searching for to denaturalize a former diplomat who was caught spying for the Cuban authorities.
For almost 40 years, Manuel Rocha acted as a spy for the Cuban authorities underneath the guise of being a U.S. diplomat, based on the Justice Division.
Rocha is a local of Colombia, however grew to become a “nice good friend” of the Cuban authorities. The lawsuit filed by the Justice Division within the Southern District of Florida alleges that he lied on his naturalization paperwork when he filed it within the late 1970’s.
The U.S. Division of Justice filed a civil denaturalization grievance on Could 7, 2026, in opposition to Victor Manuel Rocha in america District Courtroom for the Southern District of Florida. Rocha is a local of Colombia who was convicted of serving as an unregistered agent for the Republic of Cuba.
Division of Justice
“By no means ought to an agent of a overseas adversary be permitted to carry the title of American citizen,” Assistant Legal professional Normal Brett Shumate mentioned in an announcement. “Our mission is evident: to root out these fraudsters and protect the sanctity of the naturalization course of for many who adhere to our legal guidelines. Any particular person who lied throughout the naturalization course of to realize a foothold on this nation will probably be met with the total weight of the Division of Justice.”
He had labored on the State Division and held numerous management posts for the reason that early 1980’s, based on the Justice Division. All of that unraveled when he was caught on video outlining all of his crimes to an spy in 2022.
“Rocha celebrated his actions on behalf of the DGI and in opposition to america’ pursuits, and defined why and the way he continued to protect the secrecy of these actions,” based on court docket data unsealed in 2023.
He was sentenced to fifteen years behind bars.
The U.S. Legal professional for the Southern District of Florida Jason A. Reding Quiñones mentioned that Rocha was not a “low stage operative” however relatively “a senior authorities official who admitted he secretly served the Cuban regime for many years.”
