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Venezuela to Leave IMF, World Bank

Chávez government exerts state control over privately owned oil projects

By Sam Gale Rosen,  Newser Staff

Posted May 1, 2007 8:32 AM CDT

(Newser) – Hugo Chávez said yesterday he will pull Venezuela out of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, institutions the leftist leader blames for contributing to poverty in Latin America. Venezuela will also take control of foreign oil projects previously run by multinational companies, some U.S.-based, in a bid to use control over oil to influence world politics.

The withdrawal from the IMF and World Bank is largely symbolic; Venezuela has discharged its obligations to both. The nationalization of the country's rich oil fields is part of Chávez's plan to replace the U.S.—possibly with China—as the main customer for Venezuelan oil, increasing U.S. reliance on Middle Eastern suppliers.

In this image released by Venezuela's Miraflores Press Office, Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez speaks at an event celebrating labor day in Caracas, Monday, April 30, 2007, where he announced he would formally pull Venezuela out of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, a largely symbolic move since the...
In this image released by Venezuela's Miraflores Press Office, Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez speaks at an event celebrating labor day in Caracas, Monday, April 30, 2007, where he announced he would...   (Associated Press)
From left to right, Nicaragua's President Daniel Ortega, Cuba's Vice President Carlos Lage, Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez, Bolivia's President Evo Morales, and Haiti's President Rene Preval pose for a group photo at the ALBA Summit in Barquisimeto, Venezuela, Sunday, April 29, 2007. Venezuela is hosting the fifth summit of the...
From left to right, Nicaragua's President Daniel Ortega, Cuba's Vice President Carlos Lage, Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez, Bolivia's President Evo Morales, and Haiti's President Rene Preval pose for...   (Associated Press)
Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez, center, sits with, from left to right, Nicaragua's President Daniel Ortega, Cuba's Vice President Carlos Lage, Bolivia's President Evo Morales and Haiti's President Rene Preval during the inauguration of the ALBA Summit in Barquisimeto, Venezuela, Saturday, April 28, 2007. Venezuela is hosting the fifth summit of...
Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez, center, sits with, from left to right, Nicaragua's President Daniel Ortega, Cuba's Vice President Carlos Lage, Bolivia's President Evo Morales and Haiti's President...   (Associated Press)
Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez, right, and Chile's President Michelle Bachelet visit during a bilateral agreements ceremony at Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas, Wednesday, April 18, 2007. (AP Photo/Leslie Mazoch)
Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez, right, and Chile's President Michelle Bachelet visit during a bilateral agreements ceremony at Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas, Wednesday, April 18, 2007....   (Associated Press)
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