On January 3, 2026, one of the helicopters carrying Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, arrived at the Westside Heliport in New York City, USA, after being captured by the US military overnight in Venezuela.
Gina Moon | Reuters
LONDON — European stock markets opened in positive territory on Monday as global markets reacted to the U.S. overthrow of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.
british FTSE The index rose 0.5% shortly after the opening bell, with France’s CAC40 0.5% higher than Germany dachshund Italy rose about 0.6%. FTSE MIB Increased by 0.7%.
Global financial and oil markets are reacting to dramatic developments in Venezuela over the weekend, when the United States launched an offensive against the Latin American country before detaining President Maduro and his wife, Syria Flores.
After Saturday’s surgery, Maduro and Flores were flown to New York to face drug trafficking charges.
President Donald Trump said at a press conference on Saturday that the United States would “manage” Venezuela “until there is a safe, appropriate and prudent transition of power.”
But Secretary of State Marco Rubio appeared to backtrack on those comments Sunday, noting that the U.S. government will use its influence to achieve its policy goals. He also did not say that the United States would directly rule Venezuela.
European defense stocks were among the main gainers in early trading on Monday.
line metal Increased by 6.8% leonardo rose 6.2%, while Hensoldt AG shares traded 5.2% higher. Renk rose about 4.5%. Overall, the Stoxx European Aerospace and Defense Index rose more than 2.5%.
Other big movers include Swiss industrial valve manufacturers. VAT groupled morning trading with an 8.7% rise, while johnson mattheya UK-based manufacturer of specialty chemicals, active pharmaceutical ingredients and battery technology, rose 7.6%.
Oil prices edged higher on Monday as investors weighed whether President Maduro’s ouster would affect oil shipments from OPEC member Venezuela, even though the country produces less than 1 million barrels a day.
Asia-Pacific markets rose overnight, while U.S. stock futures were firm as traders tracked the unfolding story.
On the data side, it’s been a quiet day in Europe, with Spain’s unemployment rate being the only one to watch.
—CNBC’s Liz Napolitano and Fred Imbert contributed to this market report.
