A federal trial in Miami is examining whether former U.S. lawmaker David Rivera illegally lobbied American officials on behalf of Venezuela’s government, in a case that could draw testimony from Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Prosecutors allege that Rivera received millions of dollars to influence U.S. policy and ease economic pressure on the government of Nicolas Maduro without registering as a foreign agent, as required under U.S. law.
In opening arguments, prosecutor Roger Cruz told jurors that Rivera and co-defendant Esther Nuhfer leveraged their political connections in Washington to advocate for Venezuela while concealing the true nature of their work.
“They offered access to United States politicians that they had spent decades building relationships with,” Cruz said, adding that Rivera was ultimately paid about $20 million for his efforts.
The case centers on a $50 million consulting contract signed in 2017 between Rivera and a U.S.-based affiliate of Petroleos de Venezuela, commonly known as PDVSA.
According to prosecutors, the arrangement was orchestrated with involvement from Venezuelan officials, including Delcy Rodriguez, and was designed to influence U.S. policymakers during the early period of Donald Trump’s administration.
Rivera has pleaded not guilty. His defense team argues that his work was aimed at supporting Venezuela’s opposition, not assisting Maduro’s government.
Defense lawyer Edward Shohat told jurors that Rivera’s efforts focused on helping remove Maduro from power and resolving a commercial dispute involving Venezuela’s oil interests, rather than shaping U.S. foreign policy.
“At no time did he act to normalize relations with Maduro,” Shohat said.
The defense also contends that Rivera was not required to register under the Foreign Agents Registration Act because he was contracted by a U.S. entity and engaged in business-related activities.
Prosecutors, however, argue that the lobbying campaign was political in nature and intended to influence U.S. sanctions policy.
The trial is expected to include testimony from Rubio, who prosecutors say met with Rivera as part of the alleged lobbying effort. Rubio has not publicly commented on the case.
Rivera and Nuhfer face charges that include failing to register as foreign agents and money laundering.
The allegations date back to a period when Venezuela was facing a deep economic crisis and mounting international pressure. During that time, U.S. lawmakers were calling for stronger sanctions against Maduro’s government.
Despite the alleged lobbying campaign, the Trump administration ultimately expanded sanctions against Venezuela.
The outcome of the trial could clarify how U.S. authorities interpret lobbying rules involving foreign governments and business-linked contracts, particularly when political and commercial interests intersect.