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
Venezuela Threatens to Cut US Oil Exports
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 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.
(More Venezuela stories.)

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