MIAMI (AP) — Secretary of State Marco Rubio is testifying over his interactions with former congressman David Rivera, who is accused of secretly lobbying for Venezuela’s government. Rivera and an associate were charged with money laundering and failing to register as foreign agents after being awarded a $50 million contract from Nicolás Maduro's government.
Rubio revealed they were close during their overlapping six-year tenure in the Florida Legislature. Prosecutors allege Rivera's team sought to arrange meetings with high-profile U.S. officials for Venezuelan Foreign Minister Delcy Rodríguez, now acting president.
A coded chat group called MIA was allegedly used to hide their activities, employing terms like 'Little Cuban' for Rubio.
This case, labeled by prosecutors as driven by 'greed and betrayal,' highlights the alleged pact to influence U.S. policy in favor of Maduro. Rivera counters that his consultancy firm only worked for an American subsidiary of Venezuela's state-owned oil company, seeking to lure Exxon back to Venezuela. The outcome of this trial could have implications for U.S.-Venezuela relations.
