Crude Oil

Nicolas Maduro, the ousted Venezuelan president, is scheduled to appear at Manhattan federal court Monday to face narcoterrorism charges. His capture by U.S. forces has sparked uncertainty over the future of the oil-rich South American country. Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores were arrested in Brooklyn by U.S. troops after they were seized from Caracas during a surprise weekend raid. Both are expected to appear before U.S. district judge Alvin K. Hellerstein at 12:00 noon EST (1700 GMT) for the hearing. It's unclear whether either of them has hired a lawyer or will enter a plea. Since Maduro declared victory...

Gregor Stuart Hunter gives us a look at what the future holds for European and global markets. The dramatic weekend that saw U.S. forces capture Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has caused the oil market to be roiled as the first full trading week of 2019 begins, even though the global stock markets appear to have ignored geopolitical risk for the moment. Brent crude futures fluctuated between gains and losses, but ended the day at $60.49. Traders are assessing the impact of the U.S. military attack on Venezuela, the country with the largest reserves of oil in the world, on global...

The United States President Donald Trump has left open the possibility of a second incursion in Venezuela if it doesn't get what it wants from the interim leader. Trump told reporters that he would order another strike against Venezuela if it did not cooperate with the United States. The U.S. is working to help Venezuela open its oil industry and end drug trafficking. He also warned of military action against Colombia and Mexico, and said that Cuba's communist government "looked like it was ready to fall on its own." The Colombian Embassy in Washington and the Mexican Embassy in Washington...

The interim Venezuelan government, led by Nicolas Maduro, was to appear before a U.S. Court on Monday following his capture over the weekend by American forces. U.S. president Donald Trump left open the possibility of a second incursion in the event that the United States did not get what it wanted from Venezuela. Trump said to reporters on Sunday that he would order another strike against Venezuela if it did not cooperate with U.S. efforts in opening up its oil industry and stopping drug trafficking. He also threatened to take military action against Colombia and Mexico, and said that Cuba's...

Global investors face a new surge in geopolitical risks after the U.S. captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. This could unlock Venezuela's vast oil reserve and boost risky investments over the long-term, but it may also prompt a flight to security when trading resumes. Donald Trump announced that the U.S. will take control of Venezuela, an oil-producing nation. Maduro was detained in New York on Sunday, while he awaited charges. The U.S. accuses him of running a 'narco state' and of rigging the elections. Washington hasn't made a direct intervention like this in Latin America since 1989, when it invaded Panama....

After months of accusing Maduro of drug trafficking and illegitimacy, the United States announced that it had attacked Venezuela on Saturday and captured its longtime President Nicolas Maduro, marking a 'dramatic escalation of geopolitical pressures. Donald Trump stated in a Truth Social posting that the United States of America had successfully conducted a large-scale attack against Venezuela and its leader, Nicolas Maduro. He was captured, along with his spouse, and flown out of the country. Washington hasn't made a similar direct intervention in Latin America in the past 25 years, since it invaded Panama in 1989 in order to remove...

After months of accusing Maduro?of drug running and illegitimacy, the United States announced that it had attacked Venezuela and captured its long serving President Nicolas Maduro, marking a dramatic increase in geopolitical pressures. Donald Trump stated in a Truth Social posting that "the United States of America has successfully carried out a massive strike against Venezuela, and its leader President Nicolas Maduro.?He, along with his spouse, have been captured and flown outside the country." Washington hasn't intervened in Latin America in this way since 1989, when it invaded Panama to remove military leader Manuel Noriega over similar accusations. Trump also...

Here are some facts about Venezuela's oil industry, which was captured on Saturday by U.S. troops, according to U.S. President Donald Trump. RESERVES Official data indicates that Venezuela has the largest oil reserves in the world, but its crude production remains at a fraction of its capacity due to mismanagement and lack of investment, as well as?sanctions. According to the London-based Energy Institute, Venezuela has about 17% or 303 billion barrels of global reserves, which is ahead of OPEC leader Saudi Arabia. According to the U.S. Department of energy, Venezuela's heavy oil reserves, located in Orinoco, are expensive to produce...

After months of accusing him of drug trafficking and illegitimacy, the United States announced that it had attacked Venezuela on Saturday and captured its longtime President Nicolas Maduro, marking a dramatic increase in geopolitical tensions. In a Truth Social posting, Donald Trump stated that "The United States of America successfully carried out a large-scale strike against Venezuela and the leader of Venezuela, President Nicolas Maduro. He and his wife were captured and flew out of Venezuela." Washington hasn't intervened in Latin America in this way since the invasion of Panama to remove military leader Manuel Noriega in 1989, over allegations...

The dollar strengthened on Friday, 2026's first trading day, as U.S. Treasury rates rose and U.S. stock prices oscillated. The S&P 500, Dow, and other major U.S. indexes sawsawed throughout the session. However, both the Dow and S&P 500 posted gains to snap their four-day loss streaks. The Nasdaq, which is dominated by technology and related megastocks, posted a nominal decline. The three indexes all registered losses during the week-long holiday. Jed Ellerbroek is the portfolio manager of Argent Capital, St. Louis. He said that today was a holiday day with lower volumes and fewer people engaged in trading. "Value...

U.S. stock prices fell after the opening bell of Friday as the Nasdaq held on to gains due to the strength in semiconductors and precious metals continued their rally. Investors ended the week by beginning the new year with all three major U.S. indices reversing their gains. All three indexes are on course to lose money for the holiday-shortened week. Thomas Martin, Senior Portfolio Manager at Globalt, Atlanta, said: "When you turn over a new page, as a money manager you wait to see what the vibe will be for the year ahead. "The narrative doesn't really change." "So far,...

Oil prices rose marginally on the first trading day in 2026, after registering their largest annual loss since 2010. This was due to Ukrainian drones targeting Russian oil facilities and a U.S. trade blockade that impacted Venezuelan exports. Brent crude futures rose 22 cents Friday to $61.07 per barrel at 0833 GMT, while U.S. West Texas intermediate crude rose 22cents to $57.64. On New Year's Day, Russia and Ukraine exchanged accusations of attacks against civilians despite the talks that were overseen by U.S. president Donald Trump. The talks are meant to bring an end to a nearly four-year war. Kyiv...

Neel Kahkari, Minneapolis Federal Reserve president, said that the main threat to the U.S. economic system from the Trump administration's capture over the weekend of Venezuela's President would be a rise in oil prices. However, this does not seem to have happened yet. Kashkari stated in an interview with CNBC that the risk comes "mostly from?oil price fluctuations". "When 'Russia' invaded Ukraine it sent a commodity shiver all over the world. Hamas's attack on Israel was not the same. The U.S., Venezuela and other countries are not involved in this conflict. "But that is the mechanism which... directly affects the...

Investors warn that the geopolitical risk may be underestimated by markets after Donald Trump threatened to take further action in America. After President Trump announced that the U.S. will take over the oil-producing nation, investors held their nerve, despite oil prices falling modestly. Gold prices rose, however, due to safe-haven flows. Trump's threats towards Colombia and Mexico, while Washington hasn't made such an aggressive intervention in Latin America since 1989 when it invaded Panama, highlighted the aggressive change in U.S. policies and brought geopolitical risks to the forefront for financial markets in the beginning of the year. Vishnu Varathan is...

The capture by the U.S. of Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro has triggered a new surge in geopolitical risks, but initial market reactions have been relatively calm with oil volatile and gold rising on safe-haven flows. The dollar rose on Monday, while stocks rose. Here are some comments by market analysts DAVID CHAO, GLOBAL MARKET STRATEGIST FOR ASIA-PACIFIC, INVESCO, SINGAPORE The weekend's events are unlikely to have a significant impact on the global macro-conditions or markets in the near future, due to Venezuela's relative minor role today's energy landscape. This is why oil prices have not moved significantly, nor has the...

The global investors face a new surge in geopolitical risks after the U.S. captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. However, initial market reactions have been relatively calm with oil volatile and safe haven flows lifting gold. On Monday, stocks rose on the back of tech and defence sectors. The dollar also advanced. Here are some comments from market analysts. VISHNU VARATHAN HEAD OF MACRO RESEARCH ASIA EXJAPAN MIZUHO SINGAPORE "We're reminded that?geopolitical risk is much greater than a number cast on imported goods. "The sanctions against Venezuela and its exceptional dependence on oil exports... means that the Venezuelan regime change impact...

Many supporters of U.S. president Donald Trump have praised the capture and detention of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, describing it as a quick, painless victory. However, political analysts warn that support may wane if "the operation drags out" or echoes previous foreign interventions. Despite a few conservative figures criticizing the attack on Venezuela, and the detention of Maduro, as a betrayal to Trump's pledge "America First", most of Trump's Republican allies sided with him. Early support was given even though Trump had said that the United States temporarily "run" Venezuela, and would?work to?tap into its oil reserves. This raised the...

Here are some key facts about Venezuela's oil and mining sector. According to U.S. president Donald Trump, the U.S. captured President Nicolas Maduro on Saturday. RESERVES Official data show that Venezuela may have the largest oil reserves in the world, but its crude production is only a fraction of what it could be due to years of mismanagement, a lack of investment, and sanctions. According to the London-based Energy Institute, Venezuela holds about 17% of the global reserves, or 303 billion barils, ahead of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries leader Saudi Arabia. According to the U.S. Department of Energy,...

Delcy Rodriguez is a Venezuelan politician who wields an iron fist. She is a proponent of economic orthodoxy, has worked to establish relationships with the private sector, and is well-known for her taste in luxury. In her more than 10 years in public life, Rodriguez, 56, has accumulated significant influence. Maduro called her "a tigress" because of her staunch support of his socialist regime, which presided over an economic crisis and exodus of 8 million migrants. She was vice president from 2018 onwards, having served simultaneously as finance minister then oil minister. She was previously a communications minister, a foreign?minister,...

Residents of Catia La Mar, near Venezuela's capital Caracas, said that some homes were destroyed or damaged in the U.S. military operations that captured President Nicolas Maduro. Officials reported unspecified deaths. Jonatan Mallora (50), a motorcycle taxi driver and Angel Alvarez (a young street vendor), both said that they were awakened by explosions on Saturday morning in their community, located about 31 kilometers north of Caracas. Venezuelan authorities have said that the U.S. has hit areas in La Guaira and Caracas, as well as the neighboring states of Miranda, Aragua, and that many soldiers, civilians, and members of Maduro’s security...

After months of accusing Maduro of drug trafficking and unlegitimacy, the United States announced that it had attacked Venezuela on Saturday and captured its longtime President Nicolas Maduro, marking a dramatic increase in geopolitical pressures. In a Truth Social posting, Donald Trump said: "The United States of America successfully conducted a large-scale attack against Venezuela and its president, Nicolas Maduro. He and his wife were captured and flew out of the country." Washington hasn't intervened in Latin America in this way since 1989, when it invaded Panama to remove military leader Manuel Noriega over similar accusations. Trump said in a...

Two sources familiar with the operations of PDVSA, Venezuela's energy company, said that the country's oil refinery and production?were running normally on Saturday. Donald Trump, the U.S. president, said that U.S. troops had captured Nicolas Maduro after months of pressure on him regarding accusations?of drug-running, and illegitimacy at power. One source said that the port of La Guiara, near Caracas, which is one of Venezuela's largest, but not one used for oil exports, had suffered serious damage. In December, Trump announced a ban on oil tankers from entering or leaving Venezuela. The U.S. also seized two cargoes containing Venezuelan crude....

Late Wednesday, Peru issued an urgent decree approving the restructuring of?state owned oil firm Petroperu and allowing private investments in key company assets. According to the decree signed by?Peruvian President Jose Jeri, the company may be divided into one or several asset blocks. This includes the Talara refinery which the company has spent $6.5 billion upgrading. Petroperu also operates or has concessions on six crude oil blocks that have limited production. It has a fuel marketing and distribution chain. The Peruvian ministry of energy and mines stated that the decree is intended to "?ensure compliance with financial obligations through the...

The price of oil rose a little on Friday, after the U.S. increased economic pressure on 'Venezuelan crude oil exports and conducted airstrikes on Islamic State militants in northwest Nigeria on the request of 'Abuja. Brent crude futures increased by 6 cents or 0.1% to $62.30 a barrel at 0456 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude (WTI), also at $58.41, was up 6 cents. Venezuela and Nigeria both produce a lot of oil. Nigeria's oilfields, which are located mainly in the south of the nation, were also affected by the airstrikes. The White House has ordered its military to concentrate...