Venezuela's Delcy Rodríguez Allegedly Hired Former US Lawmaker in $50M Bid to Influence Trump White House

Prosecutors allege that Venezuela's interim President Delcy Rodríguez authorized a $50 million contract to hire former U.S. congressman David Rivera to lobby the Trump administration as a federal trial examining the alleged influence campaign began Monday in Miami.

The case centers on claims that Rivera, a Republican who once represented Florida, used his political connections to push U.S. officials to ease pressure on Nicolás Maduro's regime during Trump's first term.

Prosecutors say Rodríguez, then Venezuela's foreign minister, directed a subsidiary of state oil company PDVSA to sign the consulting agreement with Rivera's firm as part of the effort. "This case is about two things: greed and betrayal," prosecutor Roger Cruz said in his opening statement reported by The Associated Press, adding that the evidence would show the defendants "made a pact to secretly lobby for Nicolás Maduro... and his second in command Delcy Rodríguez."

According to the indictment, Rivera sought to arrange meetings with U.S. officials and business leaders, including efforts to connect Rodríguez with then-Rep. Pete Sessions and facilitate outreach to Exxon Mobil. Prosecutors allege the lobbying campaign aimed to improve relations with Washington and potentially ease sanctions on Venezuela. Rivera was ultimately paid about $20 million, according to court filings cited by Reuters.

The trial is also expected to examine Rodríguez's role in coordinating the outreach. Prosecutors say she relied on Rivera to organize meetings in cities including Washington, New York and Dallas as part of a broader attempt to build support within U.S. political and business circles.

Rivera and his co-defendant, political consultant Esther Nuhfer, have pleaded not guilty to charges including failing to register as foreign agents and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Defense attorneys argue that Rivera's work was commercial in nature and tied to efforts to attract investment to Venezuela's energy sector, which they say would not require registration under the Foreign Agents Registration Act.

"This is like a murder case without a murder," Rivera's attorney Ed Shohat told jurors. "Nothing happened... Not one single policy of the U.S. was impacted by this case."

The proceedings are expected to feature testimony from Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a former political ally of Rivera. Prosecutors say Rivera viewed Rubio as a key contact in his outreach to the White House.