United States: One of the best-known Cold War spies, Ms. Ana Montes, who was caught by the US, has been released from prison after more than 20 years in custody.
The 65-year-old spent two decades spying for Cuba while working as an analyst at the US Defence Intelligence Agency.
During her time as an analyst, Ms. Montes admitted revealing the identities of four American undercover agents to Cuban authorities and disclosed some secrets so sensitive they could not be described publicly.
After her arrest in 2001, officials remarked that she was among “the most damaging spies” caught by the US.
In 2012, Mr. Michelle Van Cleave, who was head of counterintelligence under President Mr. George W Bush, stated that Montes had “compromised everything, virtually everything, that we knew about Cuba and how we operated in Cuba.”
Mr. Cleave then added that “the Cubans were well aware of everything that we knew about them and could use that to their advantage. In addition, she was able to influence estimates about Cuba in her conversations with colleagues, and she also found an opportunity to provide information that she acquired to other powers.”
After her arrest, former DIA investigator Mr. Chris Simmons, who helped investigate Ms. Montes, commented that “she was prolific and effective at giving the Cubans damaging intelligence, who are suspected of selling that information on to other enemies of the US.”
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