Chavez warns could stop oil exports if violence mars Dec election

Chavez (Platts)--6Nov2006

Venezuela could stop exporting oil if the run-up to December 3
presidential elections is marred by violence or sabotage in the industry on
the part of the country's political opposition, Venezuelan President Hugo
Chavez said Saturday.

"If the empire tries electoral disturbances or an oil sabotage, we won't
send one more drop of oil to the US," he said.

"I already told [Oil Minister Rafael] Ramirez and the commercialization
team to go prepare for the scenario," Chavez said.

"The sabotage seeks the paths of violence, of the destabilization of the
country to justify a foreign intervention in Venezuela," he said.

Chavez has said on many occasions that he believes the US has plans to
invade Venezuela, and has also threatened to cut off exports to the US if it
attempts to execute any such plan. Chavez also believes the US has plans to
assassinate him.

Chavez is campaigning for reelection in the December 3 elections against
opposition candidate Manuel Rosales.

The opposition led a two-month national oil strike that paralyzed the
country in 2002-2003, which the government now refers to as the "oil
sabotage."

Chavez made the statements in a meeting with oil workers in Anzoategui
state.

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