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U.S. Capture of Maduro Leaves Markets Steady and Oil Outlook Unchanged

Venezuela’s small share of global supply limits the immediate oil impact.

Overview

  • Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were flown to New York and charged with narco-terrorism conspiracy and related crimes, and both remain in U.S. custody.
  • U.S. stock futures were little changed and crude prices edged lower in early trading, safe-haven metals firmed, and OPEC+ signaled no change to output plans.
  • Key Venezuelan energy assets, including Jose port, the Amuay refinery and Orinoco Belt operations, continued running after the operation, curbing supply concerns.
  • Goldman Sachs kept 2026 oil forecasts at Brent $56 and WTI $52, saying any Venezuelan production recovery would be slow, capital-intensive and dependent on U.S. sanctions policy.
  • The FAA briefly closed Eastern Caribbean airspace to U.S. flights, prompting hundreds of cancellations before restrictions lapsed and schedules began to normalize.