Gold price rises after U.S. captures Venezuelan president

Gold futures opened at $4,368.30 per troy ounce on Monday, marking a 0.9% increase from Friday’s closing price of $4,329.60. The price of gold surged above $4,400 in early trading, driven by increased geopolitical risk following a U.S. strike in Venezuela. The U.S. captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, bringing them to New York to face charges related to drug trafficking and gang activities. This move sparked criticism from leaders in Cuba, Russia, and Iran. President Trump subsequently announced plans for the U.S. to take control of Venezuela and its oil assets.

Geopolitical tensions and conflicts often lead to a rise in gold demand, as investors seek out safe-haven assets during uncertain times. This surge in gold demand coincides with a stronger U.S. dollar, which has seen a 0.37% increase in 2026 after a 9% decline in 2025.

The opening price of gold futures on Monday represents a 0.9% increase from Friday’s close. Looking back at the past week, month, and year, the price of gold has seen fluctuations. One week ago, the price was down 0.1%, while one month ago it had risen by 3.9%. Comparing to a year ago, the price of gold has increased by 64.3%, with a one-year gain of 74.5% on December 29.

For investors interested in tracking the price of gold around the clock, Yahoo Finance offers a 24/7 gold price monitoring service. Additionally, the platform provides insights into the top-performing companies in the gold industry, allowing users to create custom screeners with over 150 different screening criteria.

When it comes to understanding gold pricing, investors should be familiar with spot prices and gold futures prices. Spot prices reflect the current market price per ounce for physical gold, while gold futures are contracts that dictate a gold transaction at a set price on a future date. Factors such as geopolitical events, central bank buying trends, inflation, interest rates, and mining production influence both gold spot prices and gold futures prices.

As seen in the price-of-gold chart below, the precious metal has shown a consistent upward trend in value, making it a popular choice for investors looking to diversify their portfolios and hedge against market volatility. Whether tracking the price of gold over the past month or year, the steady climb in value demonstrates the enduring appeal of this valuable commodity.