MIAMI (Quanta Report) — In an extraordinary courtroom scene, Secretary of State Marco Rubio provided testimony on Tuesday regarding his past interactions with former congressman David Rivera, who faces allegations of secretly lobbying on behalf of the Venezuelan government.
The accusations against Rivera stem from a 2022 indictment for money laundering and not registering as a foreign agent, linked to a $50 million lobbying contract received from Nicolás Maduro’s administration.
During his testimony, Rubio emphasized the close relationship he shared with Rivera during their six years in the Florida Legislature, describing their bond as 'very close.'
Prosecutors allege that Rivera and his co-defendant attempted to facilitate meetings for Venezuelan Foreign Minister Delcy Rodríguez—currently acting president—with U.S. officials, including high-ranking members of Congress and executives from major corporations.
To disguise their actions, the defendants reportedly formed a chat group dubbed MIA, using coded language to refer to high-profile individuals and multimillion-dollar transactions.
The prosecution asserted that the purpose of the lobbying was to influence the Trump administration to normalize U.S.-Venezuela relations, a task that seemed far-fetched during Trump’s term but appears more plausible in light of recent developments.
In opening statements, prosecutor Roger Cruz declared, 'This case is about two things: greed and betrayal,' promising to present evidence of a calculated scheme to lobby for Maduro's interests.
Conversely, Rivera's defense argues that the work conducted by his firm, Interamerican Consulting, was within legal bounds and focused on commercial interests, claiming that the contract did not require foreign agent registration.
This highly publicized trial not only underscores the complex interplay of political and legal spheres surrounding U.S.-Venezuelan relations but also marks a notable moment in judicial history. Rubio’s testimony stands out, as no current cabinet member has taken the stand in a criminal trial since the 1983 trial of Labor Secretary Raymond Donovan.
