www.vheadline.com Posted: Thursday, March 06, 2003 By: Robert Rudnicki

Following the recent spate of explosions in Venezuela, President Hugo Chavez Frias has decided to step up security at petroleum facilities and has ordered more soldiers to protect them from potential acts of sabotage or from terrorism. 

The President has ordered anti-terrorism squads to be set up and they will be responsible for ensuring that recent terrorist acts are not repeated and that the petroleum industry is not effected by any such act.

President Chavez Frias' comments came during a visit to the Paraguana refinery complex in Falcon State, where he was present to supervise the reactivation of operations.

The complex is currently producing 510,000 barrels per day, but by the end of this week production levels are expected to rise to 620,000 barrels per day.

www.vheadline.com Posted: Thursday, March 06, 2003 By: Robert Rudnicki

The government has prepared a draft bill that will soon be put in front of the National Assembly for discussion that will impose a maximum jail term of 14 years on anyone found to be using foreign currency that was legally purchased for purposes other than those permitted by the legislation.

According to the bill, anyone caught purchasing foreign currency on the black market will also face 10-14 years in jail, and fines of 5-10 times the amount purchased.

The government hopes this will deter people from breaking the law and that the measure, if approved, will allow it to protect the most vulnerable sectors of the economy as well as international reserves."

Anyone discovered to be using foreign currency for purposes other than those permitted will face fines of 1-2 times the amount and jail terms of 4-10 years, while those buying dollars legally, but under false pretences, will be subject to 5-10 years in prison and fines of 3-5 times the amount of the transaction.

www.vheadline.com Posted: Thursday, March 06, 2003 By: Robert Rudnicki

Following last week's drop in oil production by 500,000 barrels per day due to a build up in storage tankers caused by a reduction in exports, Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) has almost completely recovered the 500,000 drop as exports begin to normalize.

Storage tanks were partially emptied on Tuesday following the loading of around three million barrels of oil at the Jose terminal, after the company contracted extra tankers to speed up the export process.

With this recovery in production the government now estimates that production is back to just over two million barrels per day, however, rebel PDVSA executives claim only 1.6 million barrels a day are currently being produced.

www.vheadline.com Posted: Thursday, March 06, 2003 By: Robert Rudnicki

Senior Venezuelan Armed Forces (FAN) leader General Raul Baduel has denied that there are members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia's (FARC) leadership currently on Venezuelan soil as has recently been claimed in newspaper reports.

Baduel insists that the Venezuelan army always takes all the action necessary to prevent violent groups from Colombia entering into Venezuela and that the units currently guarding the border have not reported any incursions of the kind being reported.

However, the general also said that every day there is a large flow of people coming into Venezuela from Colombia and that they are permitted to do so providing their documentation is in order.

The policy of the Venezuelan government is not to allow guerilla groups into Venezuela, because he said, it is a Colombian problem that should be dealt with by them.

www.freelancestar.com

I read with interest about the rising fuel prices due to the upheaval in Venezuela, the colder than normal winter, and the prospect of war with Iraq ["Over a barrel," Feb. 12].

When I filled my car recently, the price was $1.55 per gallon, up a few cents from last year. It was no big deal to me, even though I use my car for my livelihood.

What bugs me is to hear people complain about gas rising a few pennies, yet think nothing of paying $1 a bottle for water, which comes to $8 a gallon for water.

Anybody know what "Evian" is spelled backwards?

Bob Ford Stafford Date published: 3/6/2003