Investors had reason to rejoice in 2025, but 2026 is off to a difficult start

May this year prove as lucrative as 2025, when S&P500 rose 16.39%, mainly driven by enthusiasm for artificial intelligence.

Other highlights from last year: Google-parent Alphabet was the the most magnificent of the Magnificent Seven; The Colombian stock market was the surprise chef of the MSCI World All Country Index; money jumped over 141%surpassing his brother goldwho himself had a phenomenal year.

And even though the first week of 2026 is not yet over, global markets and investors are already facing a major geopolitical push: the US attack on Venezuela.

The situation is still evolving, so here is an overview to bring you up to date:

The oil question: President Donald Trump said U.S. oil companies invest in Venezuela’s energy sector. An oil consultancy firm said Petróleos de Venezuela, the South American nation’s state-owned oil company, continues “controls the majority of oil production and reserves“And analysts think crude prices should remain stable in the short term.

On the foreign policy front: Analysts believe the U.S. strike on Venezuela, despite its apparent demonstration of violent interference in another country, will not embolden China do the same with regard to Taiwan.

And the Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederikse don’t take any chances with Trump. On Sunday, after the attack, she warned the United States to “Stop the threats against a historically close ally and against another country and another people who have made it very clear that they are not for sale.

That’s a lot to consider for the first Monday of 2026 – for now, we’ll have to wait until the United States wakes up to get any updates on its front.