Full Breakdown
U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin's Stock Trades Before Venezuela Military Operation
3/24/2026, 8:06:53 PM
Core Event: Stock Purchases Prior to U.S. Military Action
In December 2025, U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin, a Republican from Oklahoma, made significant stock purchases in companies poised to benefit from a U.S. military operation in Venezuela. These trades occurred just days before the U.S. launched an operation to capture former President Nicolás Maduro on January 3, 2026. Mullin's transactions included shares in Chevron, ConocoPhillips, RTX (formerly Raytheon), and Caterpillar, raising questions about potential insider knowledge due to his position on the Senate Armed Services Committee.
Key Figures & Groups: Markwayne Mullin and U.S. Oil Companies
Markwayne Mullin has been a prominent figure in this narrative, particularly due to his close ties to former President Donald Trump and his role in the Senate Armed Services Committee. His stock purchases included Chevron, which had established a foothold in Venezuela through joint ventures with the state-owned Petroleos de Venezuela SA, and ConocoPhillips, which was awaiting a $9 billion compensation from Venezuela following a 2007 asset seizure. RTX, a defense contractor, and Caterpillar, a construction company, were also included in his portfolio, both of which stood to gain from the aftermath of a regime change in Venezuela.
Timeline of Events
- December 29, 2025: Mullin purchases shares of Chevron, ConocoPhillips, RTX, and Caterpillar.
- January 3, 2026: The U.S. military operation to capture Nicolás Maduro is executed.
- January 5, 2026: Stocks for Chevron, ConocoPhillips, RTX, and Caterpillar surge following the military action.
Why It Matters: Implications of the Stock Trades
The timing of Mullin's stock purchases has raised ethical concerns regarding insider trading and the potential for conflicts of interest. As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Mullin had access to sensitive information that could have informed his trading decisions. The subsequent rise in stock prices for these companies following the military operation suggests a direct financial benefit linked to the U.S. intervention in Venezuela.
Criticism & Opposition: Ethical Concerns Raised
Critics have pointed out the ethical implications of Mullin's trades, questioning whether he leveraged his position for personal gain. The fact that he admitted to frequent communication with Trump further complicates the narrative, suggesting a potential overlap between political actions and personal financial interests.
Official Statements & Responses
As of now, Mullin has not publicly addressed the specifics of his stock trades or the timing of his purchases. Snopes reached out for comment but has yet to receive a response from the senator regarding his knowledge of the trades made just days before the military operation.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While the claim that Mullin purchased stocks before the military operation is confirmed, there is no detailed public disclosure of the exact amounts for each stock purchase. The Capitol Trades database indicates that each purchase was between $15,000 and $50,000, but specifics remain unclear.
Verbatim Quotes
- “ As we will outline below, the claim is true.” — Snopes
- “A regime change could increase the chances of ConocoPhillips receiving that amount in compensation and of the company resuming operations in the Latin American country.” — Snopes
This situation highlights the intersection of politics, finance, and ethics, particularly in the context of U.S. foreign interventions and the potential for personal financial gain by public officials.
