Rubio to testify in friend's trial over Venezuela oil deal - Axios
Quick Insights
The Bottom Line
Secretary of State Marco Rubio will testify in his friend's trial involving alleged Venezuela oil deal sanctions violations.
AI Summary
Secretary of State Marco Rubio will testify in the trial of a friend involved in a Venezuela oil deal, according to Axios. The case involves allegations tied to sanctions violations or illicit dealings with Venezuela's government, a country the Trump administration maintains strict diplomatic and economic pressure against. Rubio's testimony could shed light on his personal or professional connections to the defendant and any relevant knowledge of the transactions in question. The appearance underscores potential complications when senior government officials have prior business or personal ties to individuals facing federal prosecution. The trial highlights ongoing scrutiny of Venezuela-related dealings as the Trump administration pursues its foreign policy agenda toward the Nicolás Maduro government.
What's Being Done
Rubio is scheduled to testify in the trial.
Source Coverage Map
4 of 43 tracked sources covered this story
Following this story?
Get notified when new coverage appears
Other Sources Covering This Story
5 sourcesMultiple outlets have reported on this story. Compare perspectives from different sources.

Miami Corruption Trial Gets a Marquee Witness: Marco Rubio - The New York Times
Should this be getting more attention?
You Might Have Missed
Related stories from different sources and perspectives
PoliticsRubio to testify in friend's trial over Venezuela oil deal
<p>Secretary of State <a href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/03/rubio-trump-iran-israel-attacks" target="_blank">Marco Rubio</a> is scheduled to testify Tuesday in the federal trial of former U.S. Rep. David Rivera (R-Fla.), a longtime political ally, friend and former housemate who's accused of secretly lobbying for Venezuela's government.</p><p><strong>Why it matters</strong>: The only-in-Miami trial sheds light on the unseemly world of shadowy, big-dollar foreign influence efforts in Latin America — and underscores how politically toxic Rivera has been to Rubio's career.</p><hr><ul><li>Rubio asked to be called as a prosecution witness after it became clear that Rivera's team planned to call him as a defense witness — a potential embarrassment for the secretary, three sources tell Axios.</li></ul><p><strong>Friction point:</strong> The timing of the trial comes at an extremely inconvenient time for the secretary of state. He's helping President Trump manage the fallout of the Iran...
PoliticsRubio to testify in trial of former roommate accused of secretly lobbying for Venezuela
Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to testify Tuesday in the trial of his former roommate, a one-time congressman who is accused of secretly lobbying on behalf of the Venezuelan government. CBS News Miami investigative reporter Jim DeFede has the details.
PoliticsRubio to testify in trial of former roommate accused of secretly lobbying for Venezuela - AP News
<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMimgFBVV95cUxPNGNVemFWWjVNTzhZa2hwMEF5bGc0UTJMZHl0WFd1UXlIclpFcE16SjFqMmg0S05BZUdpQm15QldGTFF4X0xzWjlGYS10b3Q3MU80NVZNbFVFazZWcW1qUGVPSXlCSUhMSXRjaHVOS1VQZDA2dHllcVF6TzBnSFNmdHJKQXR1NHgtZ0V0T3NDQW40aldYc0tIRE5R?oc=5" target="_blank">Rubio to testify in trial of former roommate accused of secretly lobbying for Venezuela</a> <font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>
PoliticsRubio to testify in trial of former congressman accused of secretly lobbying for Venezuela
The trial has begun for former congressman David Rivera over allegations he secretly lobbied for Venezuela's government during the first Trump administration.
PoliticsUS broadly authorizes transactions with Venezuela's oil company PDVSA - Reuters
<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMipwFBVV95cUxOVTRNelVFSHVZNGVob1B0Rk9GN2tjTllYMF9NcThWTjdMWnVXR1BQbmhqRFVfcDQtdzlCbURvTnhhWHI3SkxvX2NWdzRTRzdPNHV0dEFteW95c1o1b29DSlFQdXZPemlkSV9WczRiS3VZQThCTDdiMW15NmNUNC1NVGVOUlk5Yi1VVlluTDY0YndDbnM1UnM0SXdsNkpDeUhwdjA0c0JKbw?oc=5" target="_blank">US broadly authorizes transactions with Venezuela's oil company PDVSA</a> <font color="#6f6f6f">Reuters</font>
PoliticsVenezuelan oil tycoon Ruperti held by police, lawyers say - Reuters
<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiogFBVV95cUxPcTRfVWp1NjlWamxtX2N4NG1JdnZvdzZmQTQzekVBQThvNXJvdGdYcGtHLWM5amZwdGNVSy1uYzFxaU9nZ29GbEJ2SlgyNmlFMGFoTm5aLS04dUlKZFNSSEtUeDVjZmE5eGgwZmFQU2FiMEV2aFpXb1I2R1dxVFBzS1hnY1NhMVV6SHFkM093MDF1U04xTXJFYU5TSFdRQmU0VFE?oc=5" target="_blank">Venezuelan oil tycoon Ruperti held by police, lawyers say</a> <font color="#6f6f6f">Reuters</font>

The Case That Could Upend Who Gets to Be an American Is Back at the Supreme Court
Next week, the Trump administration’s bid to deny birthright citizenship to the US-born children of undocumented immigrants and non-green card holders through an executive order will arrive at the Supreme Court—yet again. Last year, the justices didn’t address the constitutionality of the order directly; instead, they ruled on a procedural question to limit the power […]
Did this story change how you see things?
Stories like this only matter when people see them. Help us get verified journalism in front of more eyes.
The Verity Ledger curates verified investigative journalism from trusted sources only.
See our sourcesMost Read This Week
Fentanyl found inside Barbies sold at Missouri discount store, police say

White House registers new ‘alien’-related .gov domains as DOD tackles Trump’s disclosure directive

Kash Patel admits under oath FBI is buying location data on Americans

US moves to soften capital rules: ‘Big banks can declare mission accomplished’

The West's historic snow drought could bring water shortages, wildfires




