Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Venezuela would stop oil to U.S. if invaded -Chavez (Chavez calls Bush an A--hole)
Reuters ^ | 02.29.04 | Pascal Fletcher

Posted on 02/29/2004 8:18:35 PM PST by Tailgunner Joe

(Please note that paragraph 7 contains language that may be offensive to some readers)

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez warned the U.S. government Sunday that if it tried to invade Venezuela or impose a trade blockade against his country, he would shut off Venezuelan oil supplies to the United States.

Although the context Chavez gave was hypothetical, it was the first time the outspoken Venezuelan leader had publicly mentioned the possibility of cutting off oil supplies to the United States.

Venezuela is among the four top suppliers of crude and oil products to the U.S. market.

The left-wing Venezuelan leader made the warning in a fiery speech to supporters in which he accused U.S. President Bush's administration of backing opposition attempts to oust him from the presidency of the world's No. 5 oil exporter.

"Mr. Bush must know that if he gets the mad idea of trying to blockade Venezuela, or, even worse, of invading Venezuela, if that happened, the people of the United States should know that not a drop of oil would reach them from Venezuela, not a drop more," Chavez told tens of thousands of cheering supporters.

Ties between Washington and Caracas have been badly strained by U.S. criticism of Chavez's rule, and his sharp condemnation of U.S. policies. But the Venezuelan government has always insisted it will remain a secure oil supplier to the United States.

In his speech, Chavez also called Bush an "asshole" for, he said, supporting a short-lived coup in 2002 that briefly toppled him.

The U.S. government has repeatedly dismissed as false and "not serious" accusations by the populist president that Washington is supporting efforts to topple him. His opponents accuse him of blocking a bid by them to secure a recall referendum against him this year.

Chavez said that if the U.S. government tried to confiscate Venezuelan oil refineries in the United States, run by the Citgo affiliate of the state oil firm Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA), he could do the same to U.S. oil operations in his country.

"There are plenty of American installations here," he said.

Chavez said U.S. oil magnates were manipulating Bush "like a puppet" and added the United States wanted to "get its hands on PDVSA."

The Venezuelan president has tightened his government's nationalistic political control over PDVSA since the company was rocked by a strike by employees in December 2002 and January 2003 that badly disrupted oil production and exports.

More than 18,000 PDVSA workers who joined the strike were fired by Chavez, who replaced them with soldiers and loyal personnel.

Venezuela's government says oil output has been restored to pre-strike levels of above 3 million barrels per day (bpd). But fired PDVSA managers opposed to the president say production is running well below this.


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: clymer; farc; hugochavez; latinamerica; oil; venezuela
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-42 next last
To: Tailgunner Joe
One bullet. Just one bullet.
21 posted on 02/29/2004 9:07:04 PM PST by Viking2002 (I think; therefore, I Freep............)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Viking2002
Long paste time for this butt-ugly commie thug to reach room temperature.
22 posted on 02/29/2004 9:11:09 PM PST by FormerACLUmember (Man rises to greatness if greatness is expected of him)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: Viking2002
Long past time for this butt-ugly commie thug to assume room temperature.
23 posted on 02/29/2004 9:11:28 PM PST by FormerACLUmember (Man rises to greatness if greatness is expected of him)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: Cincinatus' Wife
ping
24 posted on 02/29/2004 9:12:14 PM PST by Libertarianize the GOP (Ideas have consequences)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 22 | View Replies]

To: StockAyatollah
As of Friday a barrel of oil closed above $36.00. Its not because the rants of mad men. It is however do to a declining production from wells that are roughly a good 30 years or more, Increased demand(drilling can't keep up) from developing third world type countries, and of course China(I shudder to think about that one), and 'green',i.e. commie movements, to wreck our economy. You'll see $3-4 a gallon of gas just on this in the next 2 years. And if you add rantings of mad men with control of oil, well I think you figured it out that a large hole will burned into our pockets. Either way its going to be some expensive times ahead.
25 posted on 02/29/2004 9:12:24 PM PST by DarkWaters
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: Viking2002
You'll need more for his inner circle and of course all those 'teachers and aid workers'(i.e. intelligence, special forces, and various military personal) that Castro is sending over. I don't think they are going to roll over at this point.
26 posted on 02/29/2004 9:15:03 PM PST by DarkWaters
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: Tailgunner Joe
Don't worry Chavez, GW has plenty of lice inspectors available. You won't have to wait long...
27 posted on 02/29/2004 9:28:33 PM PST by Mad_Tom_Rackham (Any day you wake up is a good day.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Tailgunner Joe
Doesn't Chavez realize that if the USA wants him gone he would be gone?

Chavez is just a pimple.

28 posted on 02/29/2004 9:31:39 PM PST by Mike Darancette (This space for let)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Tailgunner Joe
IF I were President Bush; I'd have 1 question for President Hugo Chavez...

Do you want to waive ALL U.S. protections, including the protections established under the Monroe Doctine?
29 posted on 02/29/2004 9:36:16 PM PST by PizzaDriver (an heinleinian/libertarian)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: DarkWaters
"You'll see $3-4 a gallon of gas just on this in the next 2 years."

Maybe, maybe not. How about some comparisons to what others in the world pay for gas. You know that half or more is taxes. The government may actually wave a tax. It did in IL, but quickly returned it when our backs were turned. It's cheaper that bottled water!

30 posted on 02/29/2004 9:37:26 PM PST by endthematrix (To enter my lane you must use your turn signal!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 25 | View Replies]

To: FormerACLUmember
Speaking of butt-ugly....is this guy better looking than Noriega, or pehaps they're related? Maybe he had two Mothers?
31 posted on 02/29/2004 9:38:22 PM PST by tenthirteen
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 22 | View Replies]

To: tenthirteen
Castro is protected by some kind of bizarre secret understanding since the Cuban Missle Crisis of 40 years ago.

Commie scum Chavez is not similarly protected. After Afghanistan and Iraq, if Chavez thinks the USA will allow a terrorist hellhole in the Americas, he is muy loco. And muy butt-ugly.

32 posted on 02/29/2004 9:45:00 PM PST by FormerACLUmember (Man rises to greatness if greatness is expected of him)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 31 | View Replies]

To: Tailgunner Joe
There's another thread here that states that Iraqi oil production has recently reached pre-war levels, beating a target set last year of accomplishing this by April. It is also noteworthy that Aristide was ousted from the presidency of Haiti, which was caused by intense civil unrest. I think both of these events explains the hot rhetoric of Chavez, who is struggling with his own political and economic problems in Venezuela. If the US can rely on Iraqi oil supplies, then the value of Venezuelan oil drops. And if the Venezuelans who want Chavez removed believe that the US will support their efforts, the protests in Caracas are sure to increase. Thus, Chavez gets hit with a double whammy.

But this scenario only works if Bush is re-elected. If the Democrats take over, you can bet they'll kiss Chavez' ass.
33 posted on 02/29/2004 10:03:28 PM PST by vanmorrison
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Tailgunner Joe; Libertarianize the GOP
He's trying to be a big shot in front of all his loser buddies. What a shrimp.
34 posted on 02/29/2004 10:58:32 PM PST by Cincinatus' Wife
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Tailgunner Joe
oooh! We are so scared! Venezuela stops sale of oil to the U.S. and instead sells it to Japan. Suppliers who were selling to Japan (or wherever) sell their oil to the U.S. Oil is a fungible commodity; it doesn't matter if one country refuses to sell to another; it simply washes around until equilibrium is reached.
35 posted on 02/29/2004 11:04:24 PM PST by rebel_yell2
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: marron
More proof that Chavez is an imbecile. He can't withhold oil from the market without sinking his regime. And if it goes to market, we're fine.

Right! Let him sell it to Castro.

36 posted on 02/29/2004 11:16:32 PM PST by Cincinatus' Wife
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: All
-The Fire Down South...( Latin America--)--
37 posted on 03/01/2004 12:28:57 AM PST by backhoe (--30--)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 36 | View Replies]

To: FormerACLUmember

Muy, muy, muy butt-ugly
38 posted on 03/01/2004 11:03:29 AM PST by LibWhacker
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 23 | View Replies]

To: cripplecreek; speedy
Interesting thought, We know "Notorious Kim" is spring a little tight and suffers from paranoia. What fun it would be for Rummie and friends to float rumors about Seal Teams, .50 BMGs, and infiltrations. NK would lose some nerve
39 posted on 03/01/2004 11:17:17 AM PST by Dead Dog
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: Tailgunner Joe
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/3523023.stm
Oil prices rise to one-year highs
40 posted on 03/01/2004 11:31:17 AM PST by Truth666
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-42 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson