URGENT UPDATE: Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin made significant stock purchases just days before the U.S. operation that led to the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, financial filings reveal. Mullin acquired shares in Chevron Corporation and RTX Corporation on December 29, 2025, amounting to between $15,001 and $50,000 each, just days before the pivotal operation on January 3, 2026.
This development raises serious questions about timing and potential conflicts of interest. The operations against Maduro were part of an escalating U.S. pressure campaign targeting the Venezuelan government. Mullin, who serves on the Senate Armed Services Committee, oversees military policy and national security, further intensifying scrutiny on his financial decisions.
Chevron’s involvement in Venezuela through sanctions and oil restrictions makes it particularly sensitive to U.S. policy changes, while RTX, a major defense contractor, relies heavily on military procurement. Since Mullin’s purchases, shares of Chevron have surged approximately 10.1%, and RTX has increased by about 9.5%, outperforming a relatively stagnant S&P 500 index.
In recent interviews, Mullin publicly supported the Trump administration’s aggressive stance on Venezuela and insisted that U.S. ground troops would not be deployed, focusing instead on maritime and aerial enforcement. “What we’re trying to do is protect our own shores,” he stated during a CNN interview on December 3, 2025.
Mullin has also backed military actions against vessels suspected of drug trafficking in the Caribbean, raising concerns over legality. “Why do we care if we take them out in international water?” he defended, reflecting a hardline approach amidst rising tensions.
Moreover, Mullin disclosed that the Trump administration had offered Maduro a chance to leave voluntarily, suggesting countries like Russia as alternatives. “We told him he could go to Russia or another country,” he said, underscoring the U.S. strategy to pressure Maduro and his regime to vacate.
As this story develops, the implications for both Mullin and U.S.-Venezuela relations are significant. Analysts will closely monitor how these stock purchases may influence future policy decisions and the ongoing geopolitical landscape.
Stay tuned for further updates as more details emerge on this urgent situation.
