Posted on 08/30/2005 1:39:55 PM PDT by Victor
CARACAS (AFP) - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez offered to send food and fuel to the United States after the powerful Hurricane Katrina pummeled the US south, ravaging US crude production.
The leftist leader, a frequent critic of the United States and a target himself of US disapproval, said Venezuela could send aid workers with drinking water, food and fuel to US communities hit by the hurricane.
"We place at the disposition of the people of the United States in the event of shortages -- we have drinking water, food, we can provide fuel," Chavez told reporters.
Chavez said fuel could be sent to the United States via a Citgo refinery that has not been affected by the hurricane. Citgo is owned by Venezuela's state-owned oil company, Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA).
In the Gulf of Mexico, which accounts for a quarter of total US oil output, 92 percent of crude and 83 percent of natural gas production were shut down due to Hurricane Katrina, which slammed Louisiana and Mississippi, according to US government data.
Venezuela is the fourth-largest provider of oil to the United States, supplying some 1.5 million barrels a day.
Last week, Chavez offered discount gasoline to poor Americans suffering from high oil prices and on Sunday offered free eye surgery for Americans without access to health care.
offered free eye surgery for Americans without access to health care.
Dear God, please ensure that I am never in a position where I would even contemplate accepting an offer of free Venezuelan eye surgery.
Just grandstanding. Same as when Saddam claimed Gulf War I (which lasted 100 hours) would be "the mother of all wars"...
The Leftist media laps up rhetoric from tyrants like it was manna from Heaven.
Mob bosses knew to spend themselves around also, for the same reason.
Well, Mr. President...another country making fun of us. Should I bite my lip on this one as well??
He took a dig at the insurance coverage gaps that exist for some in our our country.
Perhaps Bush should nuke his nation from space.
Talk is cheap.
If he really meant it there would be shiploads of aid on their way from there to here.
This guy sounds like a pretty good neighbor < /sarcasm>
Pure communist propaganda and recriutment.
Any deal brokered between Jessie James... Ooops, I mean Jesse Jackson one of the worst race and poverty pimps in the world, and one of the worst communists and worst America haters in the world, Hugo Chavez has to be suspect.
I also heard earlier this morning that the Venezuela owned Citgo refineries are going to be getting a big injection of oil FROM the US STRATEGIC STOCKPILE.
What's up with that?
Hugo "giving us back" our own oil?
Might be, but where is the UN or our close "friends and allies" in this mess.
Scriptures teach to bless them that curse you, render not evil for evil, but do good to them who persecute you, for in doing so, you heap coals upon their heads.
Wow, maybe we can send the millions of illegal aliens to live inVenezuela and give our taxpayers a break.
Chavez having translators Babblefish better than.....
/john
True. Having a politician stand up and say this or that could be done doesn't get it done.
HAHAHAHAAHAHahahaha.... no kidding.....
Those people need it...I say send it A.S.A.P.
BINGO
He is doing precisely the right thing. We should accept his aid and all other his example generates and humbly say thanks.
Hey Chavez, you have NO SAY in this matter. When we NEED your OIL, we will TAKE IT! Amazing how these freaks think they have the power to bargain.
Thing is, we're kinda busy and don't have the spare equipment to go get your aid. So, we'll be grateful for any help you can deliver to the people who need it.I'm a little afraid though, that that constraint might moot any offer of aid most foreign nations might make . . .
Wonder what THE Reverand Jackson received from his commie friend?
I agree. Whenever there is a natural disaster, the USA leads the charge in sending aid and supplies worldwide. No one EVER helps us. It's about time some countries (do you hear me EUROPE?) start returning the favor.
Absolutely doing the right thing! I think the people that are suffering through this devastation, will appreciate any and all help they receive.
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.