At 0508 GMT, spot gold rose 1.8% to $4,406.77 an ounce, a one-week high. U.S. gold futures for February delivery rose 1.9% to $4,413.40. Image used for representative purpose only. , Photo Credit: AP
Gold prices climbed and other precious metals on Monday (January 5, 2026) after the United States captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro over the weekend, escalating geopolitical tensions and boosting safe-haven demand.
At 0508 GMT, spot gold rose 1.8% to $4,406.77 an ounce, a one-week high. U.S. gold futures for February delivery rose 1.9% to $4,413.40.
Follow live updates of US-Venezuela tensions
“Events in Venezuela have reignited safe-haven demand, with gold and silver among the beneficiaries as investors seek to hedge against geopolitical risks,” said Tim Waterer, chief market analyst at KCM Trade.
On Saturday, the United States captured Mr. Maduro in an attack that was Washington’s most controversial intervention in Latin America since the invasion of Panama 37 years ago.
Vice President Delcy Rodriguez has taken over as interim leader and has said Mr Maduro will remain president.
Interest rate cuts, strong central bank buying and geopolitical tensions coupled with flows into exchange-traded funds contributed to bullion’s 64% gain last year, its biggest annual gain since 1979.
It reached a record high of $4,549.71 on December 26, 2025.
Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia President Anna Paulson said on Saturday that further rate cuts may be some way off after an active campaign of easing last year.
Read this also The rise and fall of Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro: Timeline
His comments come as investors still expect at least two Fed rate cuts this year.
Meanwhile, investors are focused on non-farm payrolls data, due on Friday, for more signals about a potential Fed rate cut, Mr. Waterer said.
Non-yielding assets perform well in low interest rate environments and during geopolitical or economic uncertainties.
Spot silver rose 3.9% to $75.46 an ounce, after hitting an all-time high of $83.62 on Dec. 29. The metal closed its best year ever with a record 147% gain.
Silver rocketed to new highs last year following its designation as a U.S. critical mineral and a lack of supply driven by rising industrial and investment demand.
Read this also US pushes oil majors to make bigger investments in Venezuela if they want to recover debts
Spot platinum rose 2.2% to $2,189.88 an ounce, after hitting an all-time high of $2,478.50 last Monday. It rose more than 5% in early Asian hours to a one-week high.
Palladium rose 2.1% to $1,671.95 an ounce.
published – January 05, 2026 12:28 PM IST
