Secretary of State Marco Rubio Testifies in High-Stakes Venezuela Lobbying Trial

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio takes the stand in the criminal trial of former Congressman David Rivera, accused of unregistered lobbying for the Maduro government.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 24, 2026, 8:30 AM EDT

Source: Reuters

From Diplomacy to the Witness Stand

Rubio’s arrival at the James Lawrence King Federal Justice Building in downtown Miami marks a brief departure from his current focus on the escalating U.S.-Iran war. As the nation’s top diplomat, Rubio has been central to the Trump administration's foreign policy; however, he now returns to his political roots to serve as a key witness for federal prosecutors.

The $20 Million Undisclosed Contract

Federal prosecutors allege that Rivera, who served in the U.S. House from 2011 to 2013, lobbied U.S. officials in 2017 to relax pressure on the administration of Nicolas Maduro. The core of the case rests on a $20 million payment Rivera allegedly received from a U.S. subsidiary of a Venezuelan state-owned company. Prosecutors argue Rivera failed to disclose this financial tie, a direct violation of the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA).

"You're going to hear how [Rubio] would not have sat down with his old friend if he knew that David Rivera was secretly working for Venezuela."

— Roger Cruz, Federal Prosecutor