Silver rose nearly 4% toward $76 per ounce on Monday, extending gains from the previous session after the US attacked Venezuela and arrested President Nicolas Maduro over the weekend, heightening geopolitical risks boosting demand for safe-haven metals. President Trump said on Saturday that the US would “run” Venezuela until a proper political transition takes place, though Secretary of State Marco Rubio signaled that Washington has leverage to achieve its objectives without directly governing the country. Investors also focused on key US economic data this week, led by the December jobs report on Friday, for insights into the Federal Reserve’s policy direction. Last year, silver surged nearly 150% due to a combination of factors, including supply constraints, robust industrial and investment demand, and supportive macroeconomic conditions. China, which produces 60-70% of global refined silver, has also imposed export restrictions this year, exacerbating a structural deficit.
