South Miami-Dade News

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Carlos A. Giménez (FL-28) has called for an immediate investigation and additional sanctions against the Cuban Communist dictatorship following the arrest of a former State Department official for espionage. Manuel Rocha, who served as a secret agent for the Cuban regime, was apprehended for working as a foreign agent on behalf of the brutal Castro regime.

"The arrest of traitorous former Ambassador Manuel Rocha is the latest in a long string of examples of the criminal Castro regime extending its insidious tentacles into the United States," said Rep. Giménez. "For over forty years, Manuel Rocha sought out positions in the State Department that gave him access to classified information related to U.S. foreign policy in Latin America so he could feed it back to Cuban intelligence agents. His arrest exposed one of the highest-reaching and long-lasting infiltrations of our government by a foreign agent. As the only Cuban-born Member of Congress, I am calling for an immediate investigation by the Department of Justice and the implementation of additional sanctions against the criminal regime now!"

Manuel Rocha, who held various positions within the United States government, including serving as a political officer in the U.S. Embassy in the Dominican Republic, a Political-Military Affairs Officer in the U.S. Embassy in Honduras, and as the U.S. Ambassador in Bolivia, had been working as a foreign agent for the Cuban regime for four decades. During this time, he sought and obtained positions that granted him access to classified or sensitive information related to U.S. foreign policy in Latin America.

Rep. Carlos Giménez, the only Cuban-born Member of the 118th Congress, represents Miami-Dade County and the Florida Keys. He fled his homeland shortly after the Communist takeover of Cuba. In addition to his representation duties, Rep. Giménez serves on the House Armed Services Committee, the Homeland Security Committee, and the Select Committee on China.

The call for an investigation and sanctions against the Castro regime comes as a significant move to address the infiltration of foreign agents within the U.S. government. The arrest of Manuel Rocha exposes the extent of the regime's efforts to obtain classified information and highlights the urgent need for further action to protect national security.

The Department of Justice has been urged to conduct a thorough investigation into this matter to identify potential security breaches and prevent future incidents. Additional sanctions against the Cuban regime are also being sought to hold them accountable for their actions and deter similar activities in the future.

As the United States continues to prioritize national security, the case of Manuel Rocha serves as a reminder of the ongoing threats posed by foreign entities seeking to undermine the country's interests. Congressman Carlos Giménez's call for action reflects the determination to safeguard the nation against such infiltrations and protect its democratic values.

The investigation and potential sanctions against the Castro regime are crucial steps in ensuring the integrity of the U.S. government and its policies. The arrest of Manuel Rocha sheds light on the dangers of espionage and reinforces the need for vigilance in identifying and neutralizing potential threats.

The United States remains committed to upholding its national security and will take all necessary measures to counteract any attempts to compromise its interests. Through the efforts of lawmakers like Rep. Carlos Giménez, the nation's defenses are strengthened, and its resolve to protect democracy and freedom remains unwavering.

Click this link to access more information: https://gimenez.house.gov/2023/12/rep-carlos-gimenez-calls-for-investigation-sanctions-against-the-castro-regime-after-spy-arrest