The death of Colonel Humberto Alfonso Roca Sánchez, among 32 Cuban military personnel who lost their lives in Venezuela during the operation that concluded with the capture of Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, has reignited scrutiny over Cuba's operational influence within Venezuela's security apparatus. Roca, a trusted official within the Cuban Ministry of the Interior (MININT), had once been part of the personal escort team for Fidel Castro.
Intriguingly, Roca Sánchez's passing brought to light an unexpected fact: his two daughters reside in the United States. Born on October 30, 1957, in Santa Cruz del Sur, Camagüey, Roca joined the Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR) in 1971 and later served in Angola as part of the Cuban mission. He eventually became part of the Dirección de Seguridad Personal (DSP), where he rose to command roles directly tied to Fidel Castro's protection.
As an active member of the Intelligence Directorate, Roca undertook missions abroad and was a key figure in the inner security circle of the Cuban dictator. Honored with numerous military distinctions, he was deemed an individual of "absolute trust" by Fidel and Raúl Castro. Roca also led security at Punto Cero, home to the regime leaders' family, and continued to oversee security for high-profile visits, including those of Pope Francis and Secretary of State John Kerry.
From Fidel's Escort to Maduro's Inner Circle
In the latter part of his career, Roca Sánchez was deployed to Venezuela as part of Nicolás Maduro's security team, where he served as a chief within the personal protection scheme of the Venezuelan leader. His frontline presence during the January 3 military operation underscores the significant involvement of the Cuban apparatus in bolstering the Venezuelan regime's defense.
Another officer who perished in Venezuela, Colonel Lázaro Evangelio Rodríguez Rodríguez, also had ties to the Castro family's personal guard. Born on December 17, 1962, in Mayarí, Holguín, he started his career in the Border Guard Troops before joining the Dirección de Seguridad Personal, tasked with safeguarding the nation's top leaders.
Family Ties in the United States
Among the revelations following Roca Sánchez's death, Martí Noticias highlighted that his daughters live in the United States. The eldest, Mayelín Roca Enríquez, entered the U.S. via the southern border on December 18, 2022, with her husband and young daughter, sought political asylum, and now resides in New Jersey. Upon securing permanent residency, she returned to Cuba for a vacation.
Her sister, Marylin Roca Enríquez, has been living in the United States since 2014, married an American citizen, and eventually became a U.S. citizen herself. The demise of Colonel Humberto Alfonso Roca Sánchez reveals both the Cuban regime's operational presence in Venezuela and the familial and moral contradictions permeating the political and military elite on the island.
Cuba's Influence in Venezuela's Security
What was Colonel Humberto Alfonso Roca Sánchez's role in Cuba?
Colonel Roca Sánchez was a trusted official within the Cuban Ministry of the Interior, serving as part of Fidel Castro's personal escort team and later overseeing security for foreign dignitaries visiting Cuba.
How is Roca Sánchez's family connected to the United States?
Roca Sánchez's two daughters live in the United States. The eldest, Mayelín, sought political asylum in 2022, while her sister, Marylin, has been a U.S. resident since 2014 and is now a citizen.
What does Roca Sánchez's death signify about Cuba's involvement in Venezuela?
His death highlights the deep-rooted involvement of the Cuban security apparatus in Venezuela's defense, particularly in protecting the regime of Nicolás Maduro.