Chavez warns US on oil after Rice remarks

[cal04]

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez on Friday warned the United States would get no more Venezuelan oil if Washington "crosses the line" as relations between the two governments deteriorated in an escalating battle of words. The latest exchange between the United States and top oil supplier Venezuela came two weeks after left-winger Chavez expelled a U.S. naval attaché accused of spying and Washington sent home a Venezuelan diplomat in tit-for-tat dispute.

Chavez's comments came a day after U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Washington wanted to curb his influence in South America by lobbying allies to criticise the former soldier allied with U.S. foe Cuba. "The U.S. government should know that if they cross the line they will not have any Venezuelan oil," Chavez said at a public event. "I have started taking measures in that respect, I'm not going to say what," he said.

Venezuela, the world's No. 5 oil exporter, supplies 15 percent of U.S. energy imports. Chavez has warned the United States over its oil supplies before and he did not say what might trigger measures against U.S. shipments.

Analysts say it would be difficult for Caracas to cut oil sales to the United States, which takes half of its petroleum and has the refineries to process the heavy crude. Chavez is also benefiting from oil revenues to finance social programs for the poor as he prepares for an election in December.


http://www.swissinfo.org/sen/swissinfo.html?siteSect=143&sid=6481369&cKey=1140231021000

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. I believe Chavez has been negotiating deals with other nations

oil isn't a commodity that is in great supply with little demand, you know. I believe it was China who was expressing the most interest in the deal.

[Klukie]

3. I swear to god...

I get the feeling that quite a few countries are conspiring for our demise.

[Mr_Spock]

8. Do you blame them? Captain American is a jackass

Why does dumbya think he has to be some sore of action figure anyway?

[depakid]

19. It's not just Bush by a longshot

All of the Republicans- and more than a couple of Dems- have made America into a rogue nation. To top it off- we waste more energy and suck more resources from other countries that we even come close to giving back.

This country has a big target painted on it- and we've so weakened ourselves economically that it's only a matter of time.

Bullies always end up getting their come-uppance. The US is no exception.

The rest of the world would have to be outright STUPID to think most Americans give a shit about them- and when push comes to shove, Americans will be willing to do anything to anybody- including Britain- to maintain their unsustainable lifestyles.

In light of that, if countries weren't making alliances, developing weapons and contingency plans aimed at taking down the US- I'd be really surprised.

[Ben Ceremos]

27. I once stated such a sentiment,

and was flamed and deleted. No swearing, no insults, just an analysis that most Americans don´t care about other nations and would likely sell anyone out for their own benefit. Worldly spirit from a world power.Not exactly...can you say payback? Cry for the once great nation, now just a rogue state.

[Klukie]

38. No I certainly don't blame them....

but I am fearful none the less.

[FloridaPat]

16. How else are they not going to get invaded. Especially if

they have oil or the name of their country is Haiti.

[ConcernedCanuk]

17. You are WRONG about a few countries conspiring for the demise of the USA

.
.
.

There are MANY!!

MANY MANY !

even the ones the USA has coerced, threatened and bribed for their illegal global invasion and occupation

And that "coalition" is getting skinnier all the time

The "peasants" are getting their balls back . . . .

Enough is enuf already . . .

[cliss]

58. I agree with you.

Perhaps I should add that I mean the ROGUE leadership in Washington right now.

Stan Goff wrote: "the world is watching. They know the U.S. as world hegemon is coming to an end. In the background, they are scrambling for their positions when the U.S. falls".

Isn't that amazing? They know what's coming, and they are making plans for what to do afterwards.

[bobo4u]

78. The "peasants" are getting their balls back . . . .

Too bad American peasants aren't able to grow a set.

[ronnie624]

24. Conspiring for our demise?

Perhaps you mean attempting to rid themselves of the bane of U.S. imperialism and hegemony.

President Chavez has never threatened in any manner the citizens of the United States. In fact he has been providing heating oil at a reduced cost to the poorest in this country, yet he and his government are under constant threat from the Bush regime even to the point of attempted coups and assassinations.

U.S foreign policy has always been designed to benefit huge companies and corporate millionaires at the expense of the people of small weak nations that are rich in resources.

Chavez is merely attempting to rectify this injustice in his own country.

[Ben Ceremos]

28. President Chavez

is doing what any leader would do, watching out for his own national interests. What do you think is implied in the Boosh Duh-ctrine? The USA dropped multilateralism because it thought it could pound everyone into submission by use of state-terror. By choosing for the failed strategy of pre-emptive war/illegal invasions of sovereign nations, the Booshies have given every other nation the justification for explicitly nationalistic and anti-American politics.
Perhaps Americans who have read history and understand the nature of the rise and fall of empires will recognize that the " barbarians" are at the gates and most of the civilized world is in the horde, so to speak. Had your phony baloney boy-king simply been a man of character and conscience, instead of a pampered thug/spoiled bRAT, he would have approached the world with a true respect for the differences that make up our world. But Boosh is an a**hole, always has been and a known cheater and game-rigger to boot. When you disobey the rules of the game and think you have the right to make new rules up as you go along, well, then others refuse to play by your rules and in the long run, just like Boosh is a massive loser as far as humanity and compassion and honesty are concerned, so your nation has been tainted by his utter failure as a person and America is now in everyones sights...one sight would suffice to solve the problem. Venceremos!

[ronnie624]

30. "...your phony baloney boy-king..."?

Surely you are NOT responding to me.

Perhaps you should read an entire post before you reply to it in order to avoid making a fool of yourself.

[Klukie]

39. To clarify...

I simply meant that an alliance is being formed to take us out. I agree with you but I am fearful none the less.

[David__77]

26. Do not equate lack of hegemony with "demise."

If the only way for the U.S. to avoid "demise" is to wage wars of aggression and subvert developing countries, then it surely deserves demise.

[Benhurst]

35. It's the Bush Crime Family and the neocons who are

conspiring for our demise.

[Demeter]

36. Not To Mention BushCo, the Prime Mover in Destruction of the US

[TheModernTerrorist]

47. we're doing it to ourselves

the way we treat other countries (ie- invading them, threatening them, sabotage, coups, etc) how can you blame anyone else but our own country?

[Klukie]

57. I never said that I blame them ...

I was making a general statement that I think other countries may be organizing to take us out. Mabye conspire was a bad word choice. Either way I'm fearful.

[jillan]

2. who the f*ck do these people think they are?

This administration has no respect, no class.
They think they are better than anyone else because they are Americans.
And all they are doing is making the world hate us.
I just posted about Rummy calling Kofi Annan a liar.

Yeah - I feel real safe in *'s America.
Other than GB is there any country that likes us anymore?
Maybe China - because they own us.

[SammyWinstonJack]

42. They are The Elites, the haves and have mores with everything this

Country has to offer at their disposal. They take what they want from us, especially the most vulnerable among us and care not one wit of the fallout or the destruction as a result of their greed. I wouldn't exactly call these traitors Americans.

[MissWaverly]

4. Of Course

Bush doesn't want oil from friendly allies close to us, he wants 300% profit for the
big oil companies, he wants an excuse to drill on public lands and let big oil get the
oil for free, if we had options he couldn't do this, bring out the saber rattling.

[Postman]

5. Why would it be difficult for Chavez to cut oil sales to the US?

future contracts already signed?

[atreides1]

37. Contracts can be canceled

I'm sure he could find other buyers for that oil with no problems.

[Bozita]

6. The US is better off when Condisleeza is shopping for shoes...

... but she keeps trying to prove she's not a woman.

[saigon68]

43. kinda sleezy is a war criminal

[Mr_Spock]

7. Let's take on the whole world Bushco!!

Fucking morons.

[killbotfactory]

9. I don't fucking get it

We pander our asses off to the Saudi Royals, who let girls burn in fire rather than let them go outside without traditional garb on, who decapitate people in the street, who can't for the life of them cut off the spigot of funding to terrorism...

But Chavez is a danger to "democracy" and "destabalizing"?

Give me a fucking break.

[Nevernose]

11. What did Michael Moore point out in F/911?

The Saudis have trillions of dollars invested in our stock market. Something like a third? If they pulled out, we'd be ruined. Venezuela, however, is just small enough that we can still prove our collective penis size by bossing them around.

[killbotfactory]

12. I guess that's the lesson tyrants, commies, and leftists should learn

If you want the US to get off your back, invest in the US.

:evilfrown:

[Hotler]

45. Nevernose I forgot about that, I got goose bumps

when I read it. We are so fucked.

[tabasco]

75. They support fascist dictators and oppose elected leaders.

They are fascists themselves. The "haves and the have-mores" want to be kings and queens.

[cal04]

10. WP on this story

"I have already taken measures regarding this. I'm not going to say what because they think that I can't take these measures because we would not have any place to send the oil," Chavez said.

Chavez has threatened to halt oil exports to U.S. ports before, but Friday was the first time the former paratroop commander mentioned having made contacts with other crude buyers as part of a contingency plan.

"Many countries ask us for more oil and we have had to tell many countries we can't send them more" because Venezuela, the world's fifth largest oil exporter, ships 1.5 million barrels of oil a day to the United States, he told supporters at the presidential palace.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/02/17/AR2006021702360.html

[killbotfactory]

13. I dunno, oil isn't in much demand these days...

who could he possibly sell to?

and how much do you want to bet we would ratchet up the rhetoric to "noriega" levels if he ever attempted to cut short our supply?

[cliss]

59. I think I have some more clues to this -

Chavez has made contracts with China. The problem with selling to China is that Venezuela has a lot of "sour" crude, meaning it's full of sulfur so you need a different kind of refinery. I'm not sure if China is equipped for that. Also, Venezuela is on the Atlantic side, and China is on the Pacific side, so they would have to go through the Panama Canal to get it.

But guess what?

Rumour has it that china has been buying real estate along the Panama Canal. They practically own it now!!!

Also, I've read that Chavez recently made a deal to build a pipeline from Ven. to neighboring Colombia. That would get the oil to the Pacific side. The US fought this tooth and claw.

I'd say Chavez is taking his business elsewhere.

[antonialee839]

14. Chavez is an evil dictator who has it "in" for the US. The

only way to fight fire with fire is to sell our East Coast ports to the United Arab Emirates.
because who better than a supporter of terrorists to know the mind of one. :sarcasm:

[BeHereNow]

15. From Venezuela Ananysis: China deal

Here is an article from 2005 concerning
the negotiations between Venezuela and China...
Look out folks, it's about to get really real.
Americans are in for a BIG wake up call. bhn

http://www.venezuelanalysis.com/news.php?newsno=1756
"Venezuelan Oil Exports to China to Increase Five-Fold"

[prolesunited]

20. And Iran is trying to cut a deal with China

Once this is done, won't China have a vested interest if we keep screwing around with Iran and Venezuela? Do we really want to take on China? They don't even have to fire a shot with all the goods they provide and all the debt they own. They could easily change our way of life.

[jamesinca]

32. Iran has already cut that deal

Oil and natural gas from the north of Iran are to be shipped across the Caspian sea to Kazakhstan, then piped to China. This would essentially come down to economic warfare with China. When they quite undervaluing their currency then shopping at Wal-Mart will cost as much as shopping at Nordstrom's. When they call in all of the U.S debt they own, it will break us financially or come real close to it. When I say break us I mean "great depression" type thing. If that is not enough to deter the U.S. from attacking Iran or maybe even Venezuela then a little military pressure on Taiwan can be used. I don't think Japan will get involved in a land war with China, North Korea may feel like this is the time to act. We will have isolated Japan and put this country as a second rate military power. Russia has also signed deals with Iran and China about oil and gas. As Putin had to remind George some time back when he got a little to big for his britches: we own the other half of the nuclear weapons in this world. Truthout had a very nice piece on this very topic, I will go find the link and post it here.

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/010906I.shtml

[henslee]

18. If Chavez had smarts, he would not to respond to Rice's chest-thumping...

As it is, he is just as lame as she is.

[Ben Ceremos]

29. International politics

is primarily about chest-thumping. Power and territory...

[henslee]

44. When the ice caps and ozone are gone and the world is radioactive

and nations are starving, perhaps then our world leaders will s top dicking around.

[Bozita]

21. We want your oil. We want it now and on our terms. ... Sign here.

Also known as American foreign policy.

[VegasWolf]

22. Thanks Bush, you fucking moron. nt

[Rebel_with_a_cause]

23. Bush tried to overthrow Chavez.

Why didn't Chavez cut us off from our addiction yesterday? Warnings don't mean much to me. Actions speak louder.

[lovuian]

25. Chavez and Iran are getting ready to turn off the spigots and

they have a buyer with money... China!!!

[Up2Late]

31. Chavez threatens to cut off oil to US if it 'crosses the line' (AFP)

(If I was in Chavez's shoes, I would have already cut us (the U.S.) off already.)

Chavez threatens to cut off oil to US if it 'crosses the line'

18/02/2006 06h55

CARACAS (AFP) - Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez has warned he is taking potential steps to cut off oil shipments to the United States, in the event Washington "crosses the line." "The US government must know that if it crosses the line it won't be getting Venezuelan oil," the leftist leader said, repeating similar threats he has made in his long, simmering dispute with the United States.

Chavez, who did not clarify how Washington might incur such a sanction, apparently was reacting to Thursday's call by US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice for an international "united front" against Venezuela. "I have to say that I've begun taking steps on the matter, but I won't tell you what they are," Chavez told a meeting of pensioners in Caracas.

"They think I can't take these steps, because we won't know where to place our oil. Aha! That's where they are wrong," Chavez said. "Many countries ask us for more oil and... we've had to answer that we can't give them any more because, among other things, (of)... the million and a half barrels of our production that goes to the United States."

Rice called Chavez a "challenge to democracy" on Thursday and said Venezuela's close ties with Cuba were "a particular danger in the region." She told the US Congress she had recently spoken of the Venezuelan problem on the telephone with the foreign ministers of Austria, Spain and Brazil.

(more at link below)

<http://www.afp.com/english/news/stories/060218065509.cagmmdbi.html>

[Kierkegaard]

33. Certainly...

every country is 'dangerous' except the U.S.. Especially if that country won't concede to our demands to be worshipped as the reigning 'superpower' and hand over all their resources.

These clowns can't be this incompetent, can they? They have to be deliberately setting us up for destruction.

[Up2Late]

34. Maybe they are setting us up for $100 per barrel Oil?

And Yes, I do believe they are this incompetent (and this greedy).

[0007]

74. 100 per barrel Oil is right around the corner.

[tanyev]

40. Remember the good old days when the people running the State Dept

actually cared about diplomacy? *sigh*

[Pavulon]

41. And cut off his nose to spite his face

The cost of transporting oil from mexico and canada our next largest suppliers is relatively low. Gulf oil has higher transport costs.

Mr Chavez would have to find buyers and transportation to other locations. Thus reducing his profits, by a significant amount. The nearest large consumers are across massive bodies of water.

His entire government and social agenda is paid for by us at the pump. The $60 bbl of oil is why he is in power and as soon as the cash stop he is a dead duck, probably literally.

He is writing checks he cant cash. Aka full of shit, dick waggling.

[oneighty]

46. Gulf Oil has higher transport costs?

Gulf of Mexico oil?

Interesting.

180

[Pavulon]

48. I meant

Arabian oil. It costs more to tank it over from Saudi than from South America.

GOMEX oil is cheaper still, but nit enough to support demand.

[oneighty]

50. Ahh Mid East oil

I understand the actual cost of shipping is about one percent of retail value of cargo. Sounds like a good deal.

180

[Pavulon]

51. Just think

it is cheaper to get oil in from this hemisphere.
The total value of a tanker full of crude must be massive. So 1 percent could be a great deal.

Don't know for sure.

[oneighty]

56. The greatest cost

to moving oil is at the loading and unloading terminals. Sailing time is the least of it.

Which reminds me. I spent a memorable thirty days deck handing on a tug boat out of Norfolk, Va. We worked as a 'Lighter' for a few days.

Do you know what a 'lighter' is?

180

[Pavulon]

62. No

Don't know a whole lot about boats.

[Solon]

52. Actually, I believe that last year was the first time that Venezuela...

was able to pay the bills with taxes rather than oil revenue alone. That's a big step in the right direction if you ask me. As far as I'm aware of, Venezuela has actually been weaning itself of the American cash teat so to speak, hence why the * administration considers them a danger.

[Pavulon]

54. They are our 3rd

largest oil supplier. That is a massive amount of money.

[Solon]

55. All I'm saying is that the Government of Venezuela is trying to NOT rely..

on PDVSA as their sole source of revenue for government funds. They are trying to expand to other markets, namely revitalizing the neglected farms and fields to produce food, so they don't have to import as much as in the past, along with taxing those who dodged taxes for years, along with trying to diversify into other fields by educating the populace, etc.

[cliss]

60. Hugo Chavez recently

made a statement at OPEC. He said, "I want a cutback of oil output". The reason: This would make oil prices spike upward. = more oil revenue for OPEC.

Extra bonus = Bush gets hammered. When gas prices go up, Bush becomes the villain of the century. His ratings drop inversely to the price of gas!

That's what I call a WIN-WIN-WIN situation. You'd be cray not to do it.

[Toucano]

49. What is the refinery capacity of Iran and China.

Does Cuba have any refineries?

The question of refinery capacity is going to make it difficult for Chavez to hold this line.

[wordpix2]

53. I thought all oil is placed on open market & that's why US oil goes to

foreign countries as well as US

[goforit]

61. Chavez is pissed alright.

[Frosty1]

63. Chavez threatens to cut off oil to US if it goes too far

CARACAS, Feb 18, 2006 (AFP) - Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez has warned he was taking potential steps to cut off oil shipments to the United States, in the event Washington goes too far campaigning against his elected leftist rule.

"The US government must know that if it crosses the line, it won't be getting Venezuelan oil," the leftist leader cautioned late Friday, repeating threats he has made in his long, simmering dispute with the United States.

Chavez, who did not clarify how Washington might incur such a sanction, apparently was reacting to Thursday's call by US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice for an international "united front" against Venezuela.

"I have to say that I've begun taking steps on the matter, but I won't tell you what they are," Chavez told a meeting of pensioners in Caracas.

Netscape news

[tabasco]

64. Gee, don't they know that's our oil under their country?

Wow, imagine that - a nation controlling their own natural resources.

SHOCKING!!

[Frosty1]

65. Of course it's our oil

And so is Iraq's. If they don't shape up and give it to us we will bomb them too.
This could be a looooong war!

[pocket]

66. Good! STARVE THE BEAST!

we need some discipline.

[barb162]

67. how do your groceries get to the store?

[pocket]

69. it's worth it if it reigns in an administration gone wild

then again, it may just bring a cruise missile into Chaves' lap. What's one more murder for oil.

[SoCalDem]

68. New venezuelan national motto

right up there with

[MichiganVote]

70. Right. Well that's it then...we're not getting anymore oil

And now a word from our not so fearless leader, "Americans are addicted to oil."

Translation: Its your fault, Americans, for wanting to waste oil by driving your own cars after years of marketing, labor unions that boosted fair wages to afford a car and relatively cheap gasoline to run a car. It's been your fault with booze, cigarettes and all those lousy drugs that white collar criminals like myself haven't made any money on.

[Frosty1]

72. You're right it is our fault

after the manufactured energy crises of the 70's did we stay with economical vehicles? No we eventually went back to the gas guzzler suvs and trucks.
So it is some of our fault.

[MichiganVote]

73. honey..look around you. Everything you touch is made of oil today.

That's a whole lot more significant that the SUV's of yesterday or today. You could put everyone in the small cars, improve the efficiency and so on, and we'd still have a problem. Oil...its what life on earth is made of.

[tabasco]

76. Fuel for vehicles is a huge amount of oil consumption.

Efficient vehicles would have made a major impact on consumption.

It would have been nice if the US had the foresight to force conservation and efficiency back in the 70's.

It would help now, but it is too late to avoid a crisis.

[Frosty1]

77. Your honey is in your refrigerator

Do you just call all women honey?:spank:

[bluestateguy]

71. Oh, the oil markets are going to love that on Monday

nt