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Victor Manuel Rocha faces citizenship revocation over alleged immigration fraud

May 8, 2026

Country of origin: Colombia

Victor Manuel Rocha faces citizenship revocation over alleged immigration fraud
Photo via justice.gov

Victor Manuel Rocha, a former U.S. ambassador to Bolivia and State Department official, was convicted in 2024 of conspiring to act as an agent for Cuban intelligence services for over 50 years beginning in 1973. Rocha obtained U.S. citizenship in 1977-1978 through false statements, concealing his communist affiliations and espionage activities. He is serving a 15-year prison sentence. In May 2026, federal prosecutors filed a civil denaturalization complaint seeking to revoke his citizenship, alleging he fraudulently obtained naturalization by lying about his ties to Cuba and the Communist Party and concealing his decades-long work as a covert intelligence operative.

Timeline

May 8, 2026—Federal prosecutors file civil denaturalization complaint seeking to revoke Rocha's U.S. citizenship
2024—Rocha pleads guilty to conspiracy to act as an agent of Cuba's intelligence services
2024—Rocha sentenced to 15 years in prison
2023—Rocha arrested for espionage
1981—Rocha joins the U.S. State Department
1977-1978—Rocha obtains U.S. citizenship through naturalization, concealing communist affiliations and espionage activities
1973—Victor Manuel Rocha begins espionage activities for Cuban intelligence services
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