Chavez Warns of US Oil Cutoff in Colombia Dispute

RoxSqaud · Jul 25, 2010

CARACAS, Venezuela (July 25) -- President Hugo Chavez threatened on Sunday to halt oil sales to the United States if Venezuela faces any military attack by its U.S.-allied neighbor Colombia.

Chavez said in a speech to thousands of supporters that if there is an "armed aggression against Venezuela" from Colombia backed by the U.S., "we would suspend shipments of oil."

Chavez said that "we wouldn't send one more drop" of oil to the United States, which is the top buyer of oil from the South American country.

If actually carried out, such a threat would be titanic economic blow for Chavez's government, which depends heavily on oil sales. It's likely Chavez made the warning in part to put the U.S. and Colombia on notice that he will not stand for a more aggressive international campaign to denounce allegations that leftist Colombian rebels are finding safe haven in Venezuela.

The Venezuelan leader cut off diplomatic relations with Colombia on Thursday after outgoing President Alvaro Uribe's government presented photos, videos and maps of what it said were Colombian rebel camps inside Venezuela.

Chavez called it an attempt to smear his government and said Uribe could be trying to lay the groundwork for an armed conflict.

The Colombian government denies seeking a military conflict. It says it went to the Organization of American States with its evidence about the rebels' alleged presence in Venezuela because Chavez's government has not addressed the situation.

Chavez also said Sunday that he had canceled a trip to Cuba due to the tensions with Colombia.

In 2008, Chavez warned of a possible war with Colombia after the Colombian military staged a cross-border raid on a rebel camp in Ecuador that killed a guerrilla leader, Raul Reyes. Chavez on Sunday appeared to be giving a new warning to Colombia - and the U.S. - that he won't tolerate a repeat in Venezuelan territory.

He said separately in a newspaper column, however, that he will wait to see if Colombian President-elect Juan Manuel Santos, who takes office next month, expresses what Chavez deems a genuine willingness to ease the diplomatic conflict.

"We have to receive clear and unequivocal signals that there is a real political will in the new Colombian government to take up the path of dialogue again, without tricks," Chavez wrote.

The conservative Uribe has frequently feuded with the socialist Chavez, and Colombian officials have long complained, mostly in private, that Chavez has harbored leaders of its two main leftist rebel groups.

Santos, however, has stressed the importance of mending trade relations with Venezuela that overwhelmingly benefit Colombia's food producers. And Chavez has raised the possibility that relations could be restored under Santos.

Trade between Venezuela and Colombia has fallen about 70 percent since Chavez froze relations a year ago in response to Colombia's decision to grant the U.S. military expanded access to its military bases.
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http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN2514507120100725

Deckard · Jul 25, 2010

There must be elections coming up in the not too distant future. Chavez is busy using fear to win votes again. He learned that from a demented capitalist and former President, Mr. Bush. Hey, I just had a thought! We currently have 11 carrier battle groups. Perhaps it is time for some exercises closer to home?

Just trying to give glynch a heart attack!

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Chavez Warns of US Oil Cutoff in Colombia Dispute

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