Aaron Schock

Harry Sargeant III, a Venezuela investor, sought to influence U.S. policy toward Nicolás Maduro by opposing Marco Rubio's hawkish stance and supporting Richard Grenell. Sargeant collaborated with Aaron Schock to orchestrate a public relations campaign aiming to ease sanctions and promote cooperation with Maduro's government.

Aaron Schock, a former Illinois lawmaker, claimed Venezuela's vice president promised him a gold mine if he secured U.S. sanctions relief. He worked with business associate Benjamin Papermaster to develop a strategy to maintain U.S.-Venezuela relations under Donald Trump, aiming to resume American oil operations. Schock's efforts included refining gold and leveraging political connections, though his credibility and the deal's legitimacy remain unclear.