Venezuelan Bonds Surge to Record Levels After Maduro’s Arrest

Venezuelan bonds and debt issued by state oil company PDVSA posted sharp gains on Monday following the arrest of former President Nicolas Maduro by U.S.

forces in Caracas.

The political development sparked expectations of a potential shift in Venezuela’s political landscape, paving the way for what could become one of the largest sovereign debt restructurings in modern history, boosting demand for Venezuelan bonds.

Early European trading data showed bonds rising by as much as 20%, with analysts forecasting further upside in Venezuelan bonds amid hopes of improved political and financial conditions.

Venezuela’s sovereign bonds nearly doubled in value during 2025, ranking among the best-performing global debt instruments, despite the country being in default since 2017.