{"id":2582951,"date":"2026-03-23T14:59:01","date_gmt":"2026-03-23T18:59:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/rubio-to-testify-in-trial-of-ex-roommate-with-alleged-maduro-government-ties\/"},"modified":"2026-03-23T15:01:09","modified_gmt":"2026-03-23T19:01:09","slug":"rubio-to-testify-in-trial-of-ex-roommate-with-alleged-maduro-government-ties","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/rubio-to-testify-in-trial-of-ex-roommate-with-alleged-maduro-government-ties\/","title":{"rendered":"Rubio to testify in trial of ex-roommate with alleged Maduro government ties"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">24<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Frubio-to-testify-in-trial-of-ex-roommate-with-alleged-maduro-government-ties%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2582951&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Marco Rubio is set to testify on Tuesday in the federal trial of his former roommate and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/im-not-to-judge-anti-pipeline-activist-dismissed-pedophilia-allegation-against-colleague\/\" title=\"\u2018I\u2019m Not to Judge\u2019: Anti-Pipeline Activist Dismissed Pedophilia Allegation Against Colleague\">political ally<\/a>,David Rivera,who is accused of acting as a paid intermediary for Nicol\u00e1s Maduro\u2019s government. prosecutors say Rivera used his <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >long-standing political connections-dating back<\/a> to their days together in florida politics and even sharing a home in Tallahassee-to help Maduro\u2019s cause in washington, including a $50 million contract with a Venezuelan state oil affiliate and efforts to arrange meetings with influential U.S. figures to soften sanctions. Rivera and an associate allegedly created an encrypted chat group with Raul Gorr\u00edn to conceal their work for the Maduro government. Rubio is not accused of any wrongdoing; his testimony is expected to focus on his interactions with Rivera during the period in question, such as meetings and communications cited in the indictment. The defense contends Rivera\u2019s activities were strictly commercial energy investments and did not affect U.S. policy. Rivera served in the U.S. House (2011-2013) and in the Florida House (2003-2010), and his connection to Rubio spans many years in Florida politics.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Rubio to testify in trial of ex-roommate alleged to have been Maduro&rsquo;s hired gun<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2540807\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Secretary of State <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/marco-rubio\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"51\">Marco Rubio<\/a> is set to testify Tuesday in the federal trial of his ex-roommate and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/oregon-dem-quietly-scrubs-ties-to-political-ally-nabbed-in-sex-trafficking-sting\/\" title=\"Oregon Dem Quietly Scrubs Ties to ... Nabbed in Sex Trafficking Sting\">longtime political ally<\/a>, who is accused of being a hired gun for deposed Venezuelan dictator <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/nicolas-maduro\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"2252\">Nicolas Maduro<\/a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Rubio&rsquo;s link to the case stems from his decades-old relationship with David Rivera, a former GOP congressman from <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/miami\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"887\">Miami<\/a> who once shared a home with him in Tallahassee during their early days in <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/florida\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"159\">Florida<\/a> politics.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/supreme-court\/4500051\/rnc-court-battles-election-integrity-voter-id\/\">RNC bets on courts to enact voter integrity measures as SAVE America Act stalls<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4496902\/tensions-deadlocks-over-trump-us-attorney-picks\/\">Tensions and deadlocks over Trump&#8217;s US attorney picks hit fever pitch<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/4499706\/democrats-lambaste-trump-response-mueller-death\/\">Democrats lambaste Trump&#8217;s response to Robert Mueller&#8217;s death<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>A sitting member of the president&rsquo;s Cabinet has not taken the stand in a criminal trial since Labor Secretary Raymond Donovan, who served under former President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/ronald-reagan\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"813\">Ronald Reagan<\/a>, testified in a mafia trial in 1983.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Prosecutors say Rivera leveraged his relationship with Rubio as part of a covert effort to create inroads for Maduro with the first <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/trump-administration\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"339\">Trump administration<\/a>. Rep. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/pete-sessions\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"5105\">Pete Sessions<\/a> (R-TX) and a convicted Cali cartel associate allegedly aided Rivera in brokering meetings on Maduro&rsquo;s behalf.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Rivera, who <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/crime\/1164353\/marco-rubios-old-roommate-arrested-as-part-of-venezuela-criminal-investigation\/\">was first arrested<\/a> in 2022, was charged in an <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.justice.gov\/archives\/opa\/pr\/former-member-congress-charged-acting-unregistered-agent-venezuelan-national\">11-count indictment<\/a> with money laundering and failing to register as a foreign agent. He is accused of acting as a paid intermediary for the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/venezuela\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"910\">Venezuelan<\/a> government, using his <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/potential-biden-nasa-pick-invested-in-chinese-telecom-giant-blacklisted-by-pentagon\/\" title=\"Potential Biden NASA Pick Invested in Chinese Telecom Giant Blacklisted by Pentagon\">political ties<\/a> to soften U.S. sanctions.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Rivera allegedly cut a $50 million consulting contract with an affiliate of a Venezuelan state-owned oil company in 2017 with the help of senior Venezuelan officials, including Delcy Rodriguez. The prosecution alleges that Rivera then sought to arrange meetings with influential U.S. figures, including Rubio, to promote Maduro&rsquo;s charm offensive in Washington.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Although Rivera&rsquo;s contract was technically signed with a U.S. entity, because it pertained to work on behalf of the Venezuelan government, he would have been mandated to register as a foreign lobbyist, which he did not.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, prosecutors allege Rivera and an associate attempted to cover up their work by creating an encrypted chat group called MIA, short for Miami, with his contact to the Maduro government, Raul Gorrin, who was later charged in the United States with bribing top Venezuela officials.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Rubio is not accused of wrongdoing, and there is no indication that he knowingly participated in any illegal activity. His testimony is expected to focus on his interactions with Rivera during the time period in question, including meetings and communications cited in the indictment.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Rivera met with Rubio at his home in 2017, where Rivera said he was working with Gorrin. Rivera texted Rubio ahead of the senator&rsquo;s meeting with President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"4\">Donald Trump <\/a>and said, &ldquo;Remember, U.S. should facilitate, not just support, a negotiated solution,&rdquo; in reference to Venezuelan elections.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>After a second meeting attended by Rivera, Rubio, Gorrin, and others, Rivera texted in the MIA encrypted chat that without Rubio&rsquo;s support, there would be &ldquo;no turkey.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/foreign-policy\/4500149\/trump-steve-witkoff-jared-kushner-iran-war-deal\/\"><strong>TRUMP SAYS US NEGOTIATORS MET WITH IRANIAN COUNTERPARTS NIGHT BEFORE STRIKES POSTPONED<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Defense attorneys argue that Rivera&rsquo;s work was strictly commercial and aimed at facilitating possible energy investments between U.S. companies and Venezuela, activities they say do not require him to register as a foreign agent. They also contend that none of Rivera&rsquo;s actions ultimately changed U.S. policy.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Rivera served in the House from 2011 to 2013, which overlapped with Rubio&rsquo;s time in the Senate. Prior to his stint in the House, Rivera served as a top legislator in the Florida House from 2003 to 2010, during which time he shared a home with Rubio.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Rubio to testify in ex-roommate Maduro hired-gun trial<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4130,"featured_media":2582952,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/AP26066574866816.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651,538],"tags":[36612,5438,8676,4853,50813],"class_list":["post-2582951","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","category-washington-examiner","tag-maduro","tag-rubio","tag-testimony","tag-trial","tag-venezuela-2"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/AP26066574866816.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2582951","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4130"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2582951"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2582951\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2582955,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2582951\/revisions\/2582955"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2582952"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2582951"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2582951"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2582951"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}