Rubio Testifies on Rivera Ties, Venezuela Contract

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Secretary of State Marco Rubio testified in a Miami federal courtroom about his past ties

to former Congressman David Rivera.

The two were close friends from their time together in the Florida legislature and later in Washington.

Rivera faces charges from 2022 for money laundering and not registering as a foreign agent

after taking a $50 million contract, linked to.

Venezuela's government under Nicolas Maduro.

Earlier this week, Rubio described a 2017 meeting at his home where Rivera urgently pitched

a plan to push Maduro out of power.

Rivera claimed he was working through a Venezuelan media figure to make it happen.

Skeptical but intrigued, Rubio used some suggested phrasing in a Senate speech to signal the

U.S. would avoid punishing those who help remove.

Maiduro

The testimony drew a packed courtroom with extra security, marking a rare moment for a cabinet

secretary on the stand in a criminal trial.

The last time was over 40 years ago, no charges suggest Rubio did anything wrong during his

Senate days.

Prosecutors argue the contract aimed to ease U.S. ties with Maduro's regime, using cold

words and chats to hide efforts like setting a meetings for.

Venezuelan officials

Rivera's defense calls it commercial work for an American oil subsidiary to bring Exxon

back to Venezuela, separate from any anti-Maduro push.

As the trial continues, it highlights old connections in Florida politics and shifting

Venezuela dynamics after Maduro's recent ouster.