U.S.–Venezuela Policy and Corruption

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.