Full Breakdown
Rubio Testifies in Rivera's Trial Over Alleged Lobbying for Venezuela
3/25/2026, 9:45:50 AM
Overview of the Trial
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio testified on March 24, 2026, in the federal trial of former Congressman David Rivera, who faces charges of money laundering and acting as an unregistered foreign agent for the Venezuelan government under Nicolás Maduro. Prosecutors allege that Rivera, alongside his associate Esther Nuhfer, lobbied U.S. officials to ease sanctions against Venezuela without disclosing a $50 million contract with a subsidiary of Venezuela's state oil company, PDVSA.
Key Details of Rubio's Testimony
During his three-hour testimony, Rubio stated that he was unaware of Rivera's financial ties to the Maduro regime when they met in July 2017. Rivera had contacted Rubio urgently, claiming he had information that could lead to Maduro stepping aside. Rubio described his skepticism about Rivera's claims, noting that he had encountered many similar pitches in the past. However, he acknowledged that if there was even a slight chance of a legitimate transition in Venezuela, he wanted to assist.
Rubio recounted two meetings with Rivera, where the former congressman presented a plan involving Venezuelan businessman Raúl Gorrín, who purportedly had convinced Maduro to hold free elections. Rivera showed Rubio a bank account with millions of dollars intended to support the Venezuelan opposition, but Rubio did not inquire about the account's origins. He testified that had he known Rivera was working for the Maduro government, he would not have engaged in discussions or delivered a speech signaling potential U.S. support for a peaceful transition.
Defense and Allegations
Rivera's defense team argues that his work was commercial, aimed at attracting U.S. investments in Venezuela's oil sector, and thus exempt from the Foreign Agents Registration Act. They contend that Rivera's meetings with Rubio were focused on supporting the Venezuelan opposition rather than lobbying for Maduro. Rivera has pleaded not guilty, asserting that he had no obligation to disclose his contract with PDVSA.
Prosecutors, however, claim that Rivera leveraged his relationship with Rubio to facilitate a lobbying effort that aimed to soften U.S. policy towards Venezuela. They allege that Rivera and Nuhfer used coded language in communications to conceal the nature of their lobbying activities, referring to Maduro as "El Guaguero" (the bus driver) and money as "melones" (melons).
Impact and Broader Implications
The trial highlights concerns regarding foreign lobbying and the influence of personal relationships on U.S. foreign policy. Rubio's testimony is particularly significant as it marks the first time a sitting Cabinet member has testified in a criminal trial since 1983. The outcome of this case could have implications for how lobbying is conducted and regulated, especially in sensitive geopolitical contexts.
Official Statements & Responses
Rubio's spokesperson emphasized that the Secretary of State has consistently maintained that sanctions against Venezuela should only be lifted if the regime agrees to free and fair elections. The spokesperson reiterated that Rubio was not aware of any lobbying efforts on behalf of the Maduro government during his interactions with Rivera.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While prosecutors assert that Rivera's actions were part of a coordinated lobbying effort for Maduro, Rivera's defense maintains that his work was unrelated to the Venezuelan government and focused on commercial interests. This discrepancy raises questions about the nature of Rivera's activities and the extent of his influence on U.S. policy.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I would not have taken any subsequent action on this matter.” — Marco Rubio, U.S. Secretary of State
- “David Rivera had no reason to tell Rubio about that contract.” — Edward Shohat, Rivera's Defense Attorney
- “This case is about two things: greed and betrayal,” — Roger Cruz, Prosecutor
The trial continues, with further testimonies expected from other political figures involved in the case.
