Gold and silver futures surged after the US captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. Gold rose 2% to $4,450 per troy ounce while silver gained 7% to $76 per ounce. President Trump said the US would “run” Venezuela until a transition occurs, with American oil companies set to invest billions in the energy sector.

Central banks have increased gold purchases, with the metal hitting over 50 record highs last year. Silver and copper prices have also risen as the US added them to its critical minerals list. Venezuela holds significant gold and copper deposits, with the Brisas mine having one of the world’s largest deposits.

China’s export restrictions on silver at the start of 2026 have raised concerns about a supply shortage. 60% of the world’s silver is used for industrial purposes, including solar panels and EV batteries. Gold and silver saw their best annual returns in over 40 years last year, reflecting the growing demand for precious metals.

Read more at Yahoo Finance: Gold, silver jump as investors flock to safe haven following Maduro’s capture