Venezuela's Chavez Buying His Friends With Oil :: Terrorism

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February 2, 2006

Venezuela's Chavez Buying His Friends With Oil

A candidate challenging Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez for the presidency said his top campaign issue will be what he calls a massive waste of billions of dollars through generous oil deals for friendly countries. Chavez, leading strongly in the polls, denied the accusations by candidate Julio Borges , calling his challenger a ''frijolito" - or ''small fry" - and expressed confidence in an easy reelection victory in December. However, if Borges' "facts" are accurate, it does appear that Venezuela's terrorist-friendly President is paying for his friends:

Borges said earlier Tuesday that his party, Justice First, calculates Chavez's government has committed more than $16 billion to unprofitable international oil deals or humanitarian donations.
Borges's website alleges that Chavez has given away more than $5 billion to Cuba, ranging from an electricity project to oil sales exchanged partially for the services of thousands of Cuban doctors.

Borges lists $4.5 billion for Brazil, including plans for an oil refinery. He includes more than $200 million for the United States, including sales of discounted home heating oil to low-income Americans in the Northeast.

Venezuela last year signed the ''Petrocaribe" agreement with 13 Caribbean countries, allowing them to pay 60 percent of their bill up front and pay off the rest as a 25-year loan, at 1 percent interest.

Sounds a lot like Chavez is indeed paying out a lot of dough for love in all the wrong places! The money should be going to Venezuelans, it's their oil, not his! But being the selfish guy I am, I won't fault him for the $200 million that came to the United States, especially relating to the sales of discounted home heating oil to low-income Americans in the Northeast. I just wonder how much is being leaked out to terrorists and their causes. All in all, it sounds like it's Frijolitol is complaining about "small potatoes" that aren't likely to cause Chavez much grief in the Chavez-stuffed ballot box.

Hat tip - Harry Owens

Posted by Richard at February 2, 2006 2:49 PM

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