Investors had much to cheer about in 2025, but 2026 is off to a rocky start

May this year be as profitable as 2025. S&P500 It rose 16.39%, mainly due to enthusiasm for artificial intelligence.

Other highlights from the past year: Google’s parent company alphabet It was the best of the Magnificent Seven. Colombia’s stock market was the unexpected leader in the MSCI All Country World Index. silver Soared over 141%, outperforming its siblings goldwhich was a phenomenal year in itself.

And even though the first week of 2026 is not yet over, global markets and investors are already having to contend with a major geopolitical flare-up: the US attack on Venezuela.

As the situation is still evolving, we have summarized the latest information below.

Oil issue: President Donald Trump says US oil companies will invest in Venezuela’s energy sector. An oil consulting firm said South America’s state oil company Petroleos de Venezuela still “controls the majority of oil production and reserves.” And analysts believe oil prices should stabilize in the near term.

On the foreign policy front: Analysts believe that the US attack on Venezuela will not prompt China to take similar steps regarding Taiwan, even though it clearly signals armed interference in another country.

And Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederikse isn’t giving President Trump any chances. On Sunday, after the attack, she warned the United States to “stop threatening our historically close ally and other countries and peoples who have clearly said we are not for sale.”

There’s a lot to take in as we head into the first Monday of 2026. For now, we will have to wait until the US wakes up to get updates on the front.