Marco Rubio Testifies in Trial of Former Congressman David Rivera Over Foreign Lobbying Case

Secretary of State Marco Rubio took the stand in Miami as a key witness in the federal trial of former Florida Congressman David Rivera.

Prosecutors allege Rivera and a former business associate lobbied U.S. officials between 2017 and 2018 on behalf of Venezuela’s government without properly registering as foreign agents. The charges include violations of the Foreign Agents Registration Act and money laundering.

During his testimony, Rubio described Rivera as a longtime friend, noting their relationship dates back decades, including time serving together in Florida’s legislature and even sharing ownership of a home in Tallahassee.

However, Rubio told the court he was unaware of Rivera’s alleged lobbying activities at the time and did not know he was acting as a lobbyist in 2017 — a key period in the case.

Prosecutors say Rivera attempted to involve Rubio in a proposal tied to Venezuela’s leadership, including discussions about a potential transition of power in exchange for easing U.S. sanctions.

Rubio testified he informed the White House about the proposal and ultimately viewed meetings tied to the effort as unproductive.

Rivera has pleaded not guilty to the charges. If convicted, he could face significant prison time.

The trial is expected to last several weeks, with additional high-profile witnesses scheduled to testify.

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