Ex‑Rep. David Rivera Faces Trial Over Alleged Secret Venezuela Lobbying; Rubio to Testify
Ex‑Rep. David Rivera went on trial Monday in Miami federal court accused of secretly lobbying for Venezuela, and Sen. Marco Rubio — a former roommate — is expected to testify. Prosecutors allege Rivera secured a $50 million, three‑month contract paid by PDVSA brokered via then‑Foreign Minister Delcy Rodríguez and communicated with media tycoon Raúl Gorrín over an encrypted "MIA" chat using code names, while the defense says the work was commercial work for a U.S. Citgo subsidiary to lure Exxon and therefore not subject to FARA; prosecutors say the case is about “greed and betrayal” and accuse Rivera and co‑defendant Esther Nuhfer of conspiring to secretly lobby for Nicolás Maduro.
📌 Key Facts
- The federal trial of former Rep. David Rivera formally began Monday in Miami federal court.
- Prosecutors allege Rivera secured a $50 million, three‑month lobbying contract to be paid by Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA, brokered via then–Foreign Minister Delcy Rodríguez (now Venezuela’s acting president).
- Prosecutors say Rivera set up an encrypted "MIA" chat with media tycoon Raúl Gorrín and used code names such as "bus driver" for Nicolás Maduro, "The Lady in Red" for Delcy Rodríguez, "Sombrero" for Rep. Pete Sessions, and "melons" for millions of dollars.
- Rivera's defense argues he worked for a U.S. Citgo subsidiary rather than PDVSA directly and that the $50 million contract was commercial work intended to lure Exxon back to Venezuela, which they say would be exempt from FARA.
- Prosecutor Roger Cruz framed the case as about "two things: greed and betrayal," accusing Rivera and co‑defendant Esther Nuhfer of making "a pact to secretly lobby for Nicolás Maduro."
📊 Relevant Data
US-led sanctions on Venezuela caused the country to lose oil revenue equivalent to 213% of its GDP between 2014 and 2024, exacerbating the economic crisis and contributing to mass migration outflows.
They Are Making Venezuela's Economy Scream: The Eighteenth Newsletter (2025) — Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research
Between 1966 and 2015, the Department of Justice brought only seven criminal FARA cases, highlighting the rarity of prosecutions under the Foreign Agents Registration Act.
Back to the Future: Developments and Potential Changes for FARA on the Horizon — Pryor Cashman
Households headed by Venezuelan immigrants in the US had a median annual income of $71,900 in 2023, compared to $78,700 for all immigrant-led households and $77,800 for US-born households, reflecting economic integration amid demographic changes in areas like Florida.
Venezuelan Immigrants in the United States — Migration Policy Institute
Immigrants, including significant numbers of Venezuelans, account for 64% of all home health aides in Florida, contributing to key sectors while facing potential economic disruptions from policy changes like TPS rollbacks.
Florida faces heavy economic impacts if TPS is rolled back — WLRN
📰 Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Confirms that the federal trial of former Rep. David Rivera formally began Monday in Miami federal court.
- Details that prosecutors allege Rivera secured a $50 million, three‑month lobbying contract to be paid by Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA, brokered via then–Foreign Minister Delcy Rodríguez, now Venezuela’s acting president.
- Adds that prosecutors say Rivera set up an encrypted 'MIA' chat with media tycoon Raúl Gorrín, using code names such as 'bus driver' for Nicolás Maduro, 'The Lady in Red' for Delcy Rodríguez, 'Sombrero' for Rep. Pete Sessions, and 'melons' for millions of dollars.
- Reports defense counsel’s opening argument that Rivera worked for a U.S. Citgo subsidiary, not PDVSA directly, and that his $50 million contract was supposedly commercial work to lure Exxon back to Venezuela and thus exempt from FARA.
- Provides prosecutor Roger Cruz’s framing quote that the case is about 'two things: greed and betrayal' and accuses Rivera and co‑defendant Esther Nuhfer of making 'a pact to secretly lobby for Nicolás Maduro.'