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Gold, Silver Prices Rise On Geopolitical Jitters After US Capture Of Venezuela’s Maduro
Precious metal prices climbed sharply following the United States’ capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, a development that has heightened investor concerns over rising geopolitical risks.
Gold rose by about 2.2% to trade at $4,424 (£3,292) an ounce, while silver surged 3.9%, as investors shifted funds into traditional safe-haven assets amid the uncertainty. The gains came even as crude oil prices retreated and stock markets in Europe and Asia recorded mostly positive performances.
Both gold and silver had reached record highs earlier in 2025 before retreating slightly in the final days of last year. Despite that late dip, gold still posted its strongest annual performance since 1979, rising more than 60% in 2024. The precious metal hit an all-time high of $4,549.71 on December 26.
Analysts attributed gold’s rally to expectations of further interest rate cuts, strong bullion purchases by central banks, and persistent investor unease over global tensions and economic uncertainty.
Oil prices, meanwhile, fluctuated in early trading before slipping back as markets assessed whether Washington’s intervention in Venezuela would disrupt global crude supplies. Brent crude fell by 50 cents, or 0.8%, to $60.26 a barrel.
US President Donald Trump has vowed to exploit Venezuela’s vast oil reserves following the seizure of Maduro, declaring that the United States would “run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition.” However, industry analysts have downplayed the likelihood of any immediate impact on global energy prices.
Experts note that reviving Venezuela’s oil industry would require billions of dollars in investment to repair ageing and deteriorating infrastructure, which has been in steady decline since the early 2000s.
Investment strategist Vasu Menon of OCBC Bank said Venezuela’s crude production has remained “lacklustre” for years and now accounts for only about 1% of global oil output.
Echoing that view, former BP chief executive Lord Browne told the BBC’s Today programme that restoring Venezuela’s oil production would take “a tremendous amount of skill, investment and time.” While there could be a modest short-term increase in output, he warned that production might initially fall as the industry undergoes reorganisation.
