Posted on 10/14/2009 9:02:38 AM PDT by mojito
The US-based Hilton hotel chain is "evaluating" the Venezuelan government's seizure of one of its hotels on the Caribbean resort island of Margarita, a spokeswoman told AFP on Wednesday. President Hugo Chavez ordered the "acquisition by force" of the landmark hotel Tuesday, according to Venezuelan officials.
"At this time, Hilton Worldwide is evaluating how the Venezuelan government's action affects its interest in this hotel," said Karla Visconti, a Hilton Worldwide spokeswoman for the Caribbean, Mexico, and Latin America.
In a brief statement Visconti said the hotel "remains a member of the Hilton system of hotels, and welcomes guests with the same level of service they have come to enjoy."
The sprawling Margarita Island complex includes 280 rooms, 210 suites, a casino, stores, restaurants, offices and meeting areas, as well as the adjoining marina.
The hotel, in Nueva Esparta state, was targeted for state takeover less than a month after it was used to host the Africa-South America Summit.
The assets will be held by the state tourism corporation Venetur, which reports to the Tourism Ministry, part of an "urgent" effort to boost "the social development side of the tourism and hotel industries in Nueva Esparta state," the Venezuela government's Official Gazette said.
(Excerpt) Read more at breitbart.com ...
These assets must be worth hundreds of millions, if not in the billions, of dollars.
Watch and wait to see if there is any comment from the White House on the outright theft of the property of an American corporation.
All I can hear are the birds chirping.
You can checkout any time you like,
But you can never leave.
Charvez took the Hilton because he can... Wimpy Obambi will do nothing.
I love how the victims seem so bewildered at what to do, they are always evaluating the circumstances or in talks with Hugo. This is not his first entreprenurial forte of this sort.
If I were the franchise owner, I would clear the guests cut the water lines and set the place on fire as I went tearing out of the country.
Aren’t the Hilton’s big libs? If so, I’m glad it happened.
This story shocked me until I realized Omoslem’s been seizing American companies right here since the day he usurped the presidency.
Just like a good little moslem, Omoslem does whatever he wants, screws over anybody/everybody, then politely explains why it’s justified that he screwed you over.
PS: Celebrate bacon.
This is ridiculous! The US Government should be standing on Chavez’ desk and demanding a complete re-payment of the cost to build, staff and all “potential” earnings that were illegally confiscated from a legitimate, private company!!
The Hilton parent-company should hire a mercenary group to go in and blow that damn building and marina to pieces! Have him sell hotel rooms that USED to over look the marina that USED to be right there!?!?!
Again, if the US doesn’t do anything (and they won’t), then send in the Mercs!!!
He doesn’t WANT to do anything. He wants this action to set a precedent that he can emulate.
I agree completely and will add that this could help the US dollar as there may be a mad dash to sell stuff if questionable countries and bring the money home to the US.
Cuba redux!
Where is the (Manchurian communist) White House on this?
(plotting to do that same thing around world?)
Hey, I think I could get a merc team together for a pretty descent price, since most of my team would be willing to do a large portion of the work simply for the satisfaction of putting down old Chavez!!
Hilton is owned by Blackstone Private Equity, not the Hilton family.
Encroachments never cease.
Friend of Barry’s.
< /sarc >
Sunoco is the Venezuelan Oil outlet here in the states yes? So why not have the US confiscate those assets in return? Or can Hilton sue Venezuela for damages?
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