Gold prices rose over 1% above $4,400 per ounce on Monday, extending Friday’s gains as heightened geopolitical tensions following the US ouster of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro drove investors toward safe-haven assets. President Trump said that Washington would temporarily “run” Venezuela after capturing Maduro in a surprise military strike on Saturday, deepening uncertainty over the country’s future leadership. Meanwhile, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US would push for change through an oil blockade but would not directly govern the country. Investors are also closely watching key US economic data this week, particularly the non-farm payrolls report on Friday, which could offer more clues on the path of US interest rates. Gold ended the previous year with its strongest annual gain since 1979, underpinned by strong haven demand, US monetary easing, robust central bank purchases, and ETF inflows.
