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Venezuela Threatens to Cut US Oil Exports

Chavez says he'll cut off the oil if Colombia attacks

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 26, 2010 2:31 AM CDT

(Newser) – Hugo Chavez has again threatened to cut off Venezuela's oil exports to the US. The Venezuelan leader says he'll stop the flow of oil if his country is attacked by close US ally Colombia, the BBC reports. Chavez has cut off diplomatic relations with Colombia over accusations that Venezuela is harboring left-wing Colombian rebels, and put his army on high alert.

"If there was any attack on Venezuela from Colombian territory or from anywhere else, promoted by the Yankee empire, we would suspend oil shipments to the US, even if we have to eat stones," Chavez said, accusing the Colombians of trying to pave the way for a US invasion of his country. Venezuela, which supplies roughly 10% of US oil imports, has failed to follow through on many previous threats to cut off the oil.

Hugo Chavez salutes supporters during an event marking the 227th anniversary of the birth of Simon Bolivar in Caracas over the weekend.
Hugo Chavez salutes supporters during an event marking the 227th anniversary of the birth of Simon Bolivar in Caracas over the weekend.   (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)
Hugo Chavez speaks to members of his party at a campaign rally in Caracas yesterday.
Hugo Chavez speaks to members of his party at a campaign rally in Caracas yesterday.   (AP Photo/Miraflores Press Office, Efrain Gonzalez)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 13 comments
PhillytoWinnetka
Jul 27, 2010 6:21 AM CDT
Just another in a long line of evil dictators who thinks they can walk all over America b/c Obama is a p-ssy...And why not? Obama is doing it to our country..why not everyone else.
DontLikeYou___
Jul 26, 2010 10:41 PM CDT
The CIA is really messing with this guy's head and succeeding in their task. He sounds like a short, little paranoid man. Earth to Chavez..... in short order, the US would replace your 10% of oil exports with imports from other producers. But, hey, thanks for playing, dumbass.
fishhook
Jul 26, 2010 4:01 PM CDT
Hugo is well known for his likeness to rulers from Cuba, North Korea, Iran , Ecuador, and other Latin American and world wide nations. They all hate us but love our Franklin notes; in fact they could not live without them. They will all continue their ways but their ships are sinking.
 

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