Citgo/Venezuela, oil and you

Website information:

http://www.citgo.com/CommunityInvolvement/HeatingOil.jsp

"We are more than just an oil company. We are neighbors and friends who care for those in need," said CITGO President and CEO Félix Rodríguez. "This is a people-to-people program that comes from the heart of Venezuela to the homes of American families who just can't pay their energy bills."

"The company is owned by PDV America, Inc., an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A., the national oil company of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela."

"Petróleos de Venezuela S.A.(PDVSA) is a world energy corporation, owned by the Venezuelan State."

The Chavez government has sought, over the last two or three years, ties with unusual allies. A glance at the State Sponsors of Terrorism listed in the State Department’s Country Reports on Terrorism for 2005 provides a good idea of Chavez’ new friends.

At the top of his list is Iran. The Chavez government has concluded a number of agreements with Iran, ranging from investment pacts, to cultural exchanges, to pledges of support against military aggression -- ostensibly by the United States. In March, Chavez defended Iran’s quest to develop nuclear energy without any oversight by the UN or the International Atomic Energy Agency, dismissing the concerns of the international community.

Chavez’ courting of radical, rogue regimes is not new. He fawned over Saddam Hussein during a visit in 2000, even as that brutal dictator tortured his own citizens, stole Oil-For-Food funds, and sent terror teams abroad to murder Iraqis who opposed him. Today, Chavez roots for the terrorists who weekly bomb innocent Iraqis in a perverse bid to frustrate the will of the Iraqi people to live in peace and freedom.

Chavez recently announced he will soon visit Iran, Syria, North Korea and, interestingly, "North Vietnam" to cement "strategic alliances" with those countries. On his return, he will continue his close relationship with Cuba’s dictator Fidel Castro. Castro has a long history of fomenting subversion in Latin America and elsewhere. Under Castro, Cuba -- also a state sponsor of terrorism -- has hosted and provided sanctuary to members of the FARC and the ELN, as well as to militants of the Basque terrorist group ETA. Castro and Chavez are using a variety of means to try to help individuals who share their worldview come to power via the electoral route.

Dan's Thoughts:

Gosh. Thanks, Venezuela.

Thanks for agreeing to help us pay for the oil that you are overcharging us for. Thanks for using whatever money we give you to support your extreme socialist government. Thanks for being a friend of our enemies. Thanks for all of the anti-US rhetoric. Thanks for the way you will use your new complete and total power in Venezuela to run free enterprise out of the country.

Venezuela is truly an enemy of freedom. I personally won't buy from Citgo again.

Aloha.