U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio testified on Tuesday regarding his interactions with former U.S. Congressman David Rivera. The testimony came during Rivera’s criminal trial, where he faces charges of acting as an unregistered agent of ousted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s government.
Rubio stated that Rivera did not disclose a $50-million contract with a company owned by the Venezuelan state when they met in 2017 to discuss Venezuela. The two have a longstanding friendship and both rose through Miami politics together.
The Secretary of State’s testimony focused on these interactions with Rivera, offering insight into the circumstances surrounding their meetings and discussions. Rubio’s statements addressed whether he was aware of Rivera’s alleged lobbying efforts for the Maduro government.