President orders more soldiers to Petroleum facilities

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.