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"Russian Chef Suspected as Spy in 'Havana Syndrome' Case Sparks New Inquiry"
1 year ago•Source: Kyiv Post
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5.175 min•1 year ago
"Ex-US Ambassador Confesses to 40-Year Cuban Spy Role"
Former US ambassador to Bolivia, Victor Manuel Rocha, has admitted to spying for Cuba for 40 years, praising Fidel Castro and referring to the US as "the enemy." Arrested in Miami in December, Rocha faces up to 10 years in prison for his espionage activities, which included meeting with Cuban intelligence officials and maintaining his status as a covert agent while serving in diplomatic roles. He also faces a lawsuit alleging his involvement in the death of Cuban dissident Oswaldo Paya in a car crash in 2012.
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Iran's Covert Recruitment of Israeli Spies Exposed
Originally Published 2 years ago — by The Jerusalem Post
Israel's Shin Bet has uncovered and thwarted an Iranian honeypot network that recruited Israeli civilians to gather intelligence and carry out terror attacks disguised as criminal activities. The network targeted Israelis through social media and employment websites, posing as salespeople, real estate agents, and even potential romantic interests. Israeli civilians were sent on paid reconnaissance missions to gather information and take photos of specific locations of interest to the Iranian operatives. Some Israelis alerted security officials about the suspicious inquiries, helping to foil the network's activities. This comes after reports of Iran training Hebrew-speaking women to send sexually explicit images to Israeli soldiers in an attempt to gain information, a tactic previously used by Hamas.
From Diplomat to Double Agent: The Intriguing Tale of a Former US Ambassador's Alleged Espionage for Cuba
Originally Published 2 years ago — by The Guardian
Former US diplomat Manuel Rocha has been charged with multiple counts of being a secret agent for Cuban intelligence, allegedly spying for communist Cuba for over four decades. Rocha, who held sensitive posts including ambassador to Bolivia and deputy head of the US interest section in Havana, is accused of seeking out positions within the US government to gain access to non-public information and influence US foreign policy. The allegations have shocked the US intelligence community, prompting an urgent damage assessment to determine the extent of the secrets that may have been passed. The case highlights the sophistication of Cuban espionage and raises questions about US policy towards Cuba.
From Diplomat to Double Agent: The Astonishing Story of Víctor Manuel Rocha
Originally Published 2 years ago — by EL PAÍS USA
Víctor Manuel Rocha, a former U.S. ambassador, has been revealed to have spent 40 years as an undercover agent for the Cuban intelligence services. Rocha, who held important positions in Latin America and the White House, is accused of passing sensitive information about U.S. activities and plans in Latin America to Havana. The case has serious implications for U.S. national security and diplomatic relations. Rocha, who faces 15 charges, will appear in a Miami courtroom to answer questions about his role as an agent for Cuba. He could face up to 60 years in prison. The revelations highlight Cuba's ability to place agents in critical positions within the American administration.
"Undercover FBI agent exposes 42-year Cuban spy infiltrating America"
Originally Published 2 years ago — by The Economist
The US Justice Department has charged Victor Manuel Rocha, a former American ambassador, with secretly serving as a Cuban agent for 42 years. Rocha, who held various high-level positions in the US government, including in the State Department and the National Security Council, had access to valuable intelligence even after retirement. He was caught in a sting operation by the FBI, where he praised Fidel Castro and referred to the United States as "the enemy." This case highlights the effectiveness of Cuba's foreign intelligence agency, which has a reputation for running aggressive operations and cultivating professional intelligence officers. Cuba's success in recruiting agents is often attributed to ideology rather than blackmail or financial incentives.
Cuban Intelligence: Ideology Over Money
Originally Published 2 years ago — by The Wall Street Journal
Former U.S. Ambassador Victor Manuel Rocha has been detained on allegations of spying for Cuba's intelligence service for decades, in what Attorney General Merrick Garland describes as one of the highest-reaching and longest-lasting security breaches of the U.S. government. The case highlights the ideological motivations behind Cuban intelligence recruitment, rather than financial incentives.
"Retired U.S. Diplomat Accused of Spying for Cuba: Impact and Muslim-American Response"
Originally Published 2 years ago — by The New York Times
Manuel Rocha, a retired U.S. diplomat and former ambassador to Bolivia, has been accused by federal prosecutors of working as a secret agent for Cuba since at least 1981. Prosecutors claim that Rocha aided Cuba's "clandestine intelligence-gathering mission against the United States" and referred to the U.S. as "the enemy." The investigation is ongoing, and Rocha has been charged with acting as an illegal agent of a foreign government. The case has raised concerns about the effectiveness of counterespionage programs and the potential damage caused by the infiltration of a foreign agent into the U.S. government.
NSA Insider Admits Attempted Espionage
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Department of Justice
Former NSA employee, Jareh Sebastian Dalke, pleaded guilty to six counts of attempting to transmit classified National Defense Information (NDI) to a person he believed to be a Russian agent. Dalke used an encrypted email account to send excerpts of three classified documents and requested $85,000 in return for more information. He later transferred additional classified files to the purported agent at Union Station in Denver. Dalke faces a maximum penalty of life in prison and will be sentenced on April 26, 2024.
Ethiopian Contractor Arrested for Espionage, Accused of Stealing US Satellite Imagery
Originally Published 2 years ago — by The New York Times
A State Department contractor, Abraham T. Lemma, has been charged with two counts of espionage and willful retention of national defense information for stealing classified documents, including satellite imagery and sensitive military information about activities in Africa. Lemma, a naturalized U.S. citizen of Ethiopian descent, is accused of sharing the stolen information with Ethiopia. This case follows recent leaks within the American government, raising concerns about security and employee access. The court documents reveal that Lemma had been employed by the State Department since at least 2021 and had access to classified systems as an information technology administrator in its intelligence arm. He is alleged to have taken over 100 documents containing classified information and communicated with a foreign intelligence official using an encrypted platform.
UK Charges Five Bulgarian Nationals with Spying for Russia
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Al Jazeera English
Five Bulgarian nationals living in the UK are set to be charged with conspiracy to conduct espionage for Russia. The charges relate to alleged offences that took place between August 2020 and February 2023. The accused individuals are due to appear in court later this month. The UK has been taking stronger action against external security threats and potential spies, passing a national security law in July. The government has identified Russia as the most acute threat to its security.
China's Espionage Activities in UK Government Exposed
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Fox News
A parliamentary researcher in the UK, who was arrested under the Official Secrets Act on accusations of spying for China, has denied the reports and claimed innocence. The arrest comes as UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak faces pressure to confront Chinese threats to British democracy. Sunak has raised concerns about potential Chinese spying on parliament during a meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang at a G-20 summit. The accusations of spying complicate Sunak's efforts to have open dialogue with China, as the Chinese embassy in the UK called the reports "malicious slander." Critics doubt the usefulness of talks with China, with one lawmaker describing it as a "pathetic monologue."