India, Jan. 5 -- NEW DELHI, December 5 - Global crude oil prices are likely to see a sharp increase when trading begins on Monday, analysts say, following a U.S. military strike in Venezuela that captured former President Nicolas Maduro. The attack injects major geopolitical uncertainty into a region holding the world's largest proven oil reserves.

On Friday, Brent crude futures closed below $61 per barrel in quiet trading, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) finished above $57. That calm is expected to shatter at Monday's open. "The US attack on Venezuela is expected to trigger geopolitical tension in the region, which is expected to fuel the uncertainty. Hence, I expect a gap-up opening for gold, silver, copper, crude oil, gasolin...