MIAMI — The federal trial of former Congressman David Rivera began on March 23, 2026, in Miami. Marco Rubio testified in the criminal trial, becoming the first sitting Cabinet member since 1983 to testify in a criminal trial.

Prosecutors allege that David Rivera secretly lobbied for Venezuela's government, leveraging connections from his time in Congress to push the White House to ease its policy toward Venezuela. Prosecutors allege that David Rivera persuaded then–Foreign Minister Delcy Rodríguez to award him a $50 million lobbying contract paid by the Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA.

An 11-count indictment unsealed in 2022 charges David Rivera and an associate with money laundering and failing to register as foreign agents. Prosecutors allege that Rivera was aided by Representative Pete Sessions and a convicted Cali cartel associate in seeking meetings with the White House and Exxon Mobil on behalf of Venezuela's government.

"The case is about two things: greed and betrayal. The evidence will show that for $50m, these two defendants made a pact to secretly lobby for Nicolás Maduro, the communist dictator, and his second in command, Delcy Rodriguez," prosecutor Roger Cruz said in his opening statement.

David Rivera denies any wrongdoing. "This is like a murder case without a murder, a drugs case without drugs, a kidnapping case without a kidnapping," defense attorney Ed Shohat said.

David Rivera and Marco Rubio met at Rubio's Washington home on July 9, 2017. David Rivera texted Marco Rubio on July 11, 2017: "Remember, U.S. should facilitate, not just support, a negotiated solution. No vengeance, reconciliation."

After signing the lobbying contract, David Rivera and Raúl Gorrín arranged a meeting in New York City between Delcy Rodríguez and Representative Pete Sessions. Pete Sessions sought to arrange a meeting for Delcy Rodríguez with Darren Woods, CEO of Exxon Mobil, but Exxon declined the outreach.

Pete Sessions secretly traveled to Caracas for a meeting with Nicolás Maduro arranged by Raúl Gorrín and David Rivera. Pete Sessions agreed to deliver a letter from Nicolás Maduro to President Donald Trump.

Prosecutors allege that David Rivera set up an encrypted chat group called MIA with Raúl Gorrín to conceal their lobbying activities. According to prosecutors, members of the chat group used code words: they referred to Nicolás Maduro as "bus driver," Pete Sessions as "Sombrero," and millions of dollars as "melons".

The defense team requested testimony from Nicolás Maduro and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles. Nicolás Maduro said through a lawyer that he would invoke his constitutional right to remain silent if compelled to testify.