Venezuelan leader says oil production is rising
Porto Alegre, Brazil-AP -- Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez (OO'-goh CHAH'-vez) says despite a continuing general strike his nation is now able to pump one-and-a-third (m) million barrels of oil per day.
And he tells reporters Venezuela should be able to raise that to two-point-seven (m) million barrels within a month. Chavez says that's the amount OPEC says his country should produce.
The new daily figure provided by Chavez is more than 300-thousand barrels above figures previously stated by the government.
A 56-day-old strike in Venezuela aimed at ousting Chavez has badly hurt the oil industry, which provides half of the government's income.
Chavez spoke in Brazil, where he's taking part in the World Social Forum.