Venezuela protests US sanctions against PDVSA
Published:Tuesday | May 31, 2011 | 12:00 AM
Thousands of government supporters jammed into a plaza Sunday to protest United States sanctions against Venezuela's state oil company.
Chavez backers marched from several points throughout the capital and converged on a downtown plaza where they listened to officials condemn the sanctions against Petroleos de Venezuela SA, known as PDVSA.
US President Barack Obama's administration slapped sanctions on PDVSA and six other companies from other countries for doing business with Iran.
The US State Department said PDVSA delivered at least two cargoes of refined petroleum products worth about US$50 million to Iran between December and March.
"Nobody messes with Venezuela," Energy Minister Rafael Ramirez told the crowd. "Venezuela must be respected."
Ramirez has said shipments of heavy crude to PDVSA's US-based subsidiaries will continue, but the company cannot guarantee shipments to non-affiliated private oil companies.
- AP