Marco Rubio Set to Testify in Miami Trial of Ex-Congressman Linked to Venezuela

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio returns to Miami to testify in the criminal trial of former Congressman David Rivera, accused of being an unregistered agent.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 24, 2026, 8:00 AM EDT

Source: Reuters

From Diplomacy to the Witness Stand

The appearance of Secretary Rubio in a courtroom comes at a moment of intense geopolitical activity, as he briefly steps away from coordinating U.S. diplomatic efforts regarding the ongoing conflict in Iran. Returning to his hometown of Miami, where his political ascent began, Rubio will serve as a key witness for the prosecution. The trial at the James Lawrence King Federal Justice Building focuses on whether Rivera illegally lobbied U.S. officials, including Rubio himself, to soften the American stance toward the administration of Nicolas Maduro.

The $20 Million Undisclosed Contract

Federal prosecutors allege that David Rivera, who served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2011 to 2013, accepted a $20 million payment from a U.S. subsidiary of a Venezuelan state-owned enterprise in 2017. According to the indictment, Rivera failed to register as a foreign agent while attempting to influence U.S. policy to reduce economic pressure on the Maduro government. This failure to disclose represents a direct violation of the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), which requires individuals acting on behalf of foreign entities to be transparent about their financial ties.

A Complicated Political Relationship

The testimony is particularly significant due to the shared history between Rubio and Rivera. Both are Cuban-American Republicans and were once roommates in Tallahassee. Throughout their careers, both have been characterized by their staunch opposition to leftist regimes in Latin America. Prosecutors argue that Rivera exploited this personal relationship to gain access to Rubio, holding at least two meetings in 2017 to promote a "negotiated solution" to tensions with Venezuela without revealing his multi-million dollar financial arrangement with a subsidiary of the Venezuelan state.