Rubio Takes the Stand in Miami in Venezuela Lobbying Trial Tied to Ex-Rep Rivera
Secretary of State Marco Rubio testified in a Miami federal case involving former Rep. David Rivera, who is accused of money laundering and secretly lobbying for Venezuela. Rubio described Rivera as a vociferous anti-communist voice and testified about 2017 talks on a transition that could oust Nicolás Maduro, amid prosecutors’ claims Rivera’s firm secured a $50 million contract with a Venezuelan state oil subsidiary to influence U.S. policy. Rubio said he did not know about the contract, and the proceedings unfold as Venezuela, Iran and Cuba feature in broader geopolitical tensions.