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Threat to halt oil export

CARACAS (Venezuela): Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez vowed to win the upcoming Dec. 3 election and warned that Venezuela could halt oil exports to the United States if his opponents, joined by the U.S. Government, attempt to destabilise his leftist administration. Mr. Chavez also reiterated that Government opponents are not welcome in the military or the state-run oil company Petroleos de Venezuela SA, or PDVSA. A day earlier, he suggested those who do not like his leftist policies should go somewhere else, like Miami. ``If they try to destabilise PDVSA, if the empire and its lackeys in Venezuela attempt another coup, ignore the outcome of the elections or cause election or oil-related upheaval we won't send another drop of oil to the United States,'' Mr. Chavez told oil workers on Saturday at PDVSA facilities in the coastal city of Puerto La Cruz, 240 km east of Caracas. Mr. Chavez — a close ally of Cuban leader Fidel Castro — said that U.S. President George W. Bush ``had better tie down his crazies here in Venezuela'' to prevent a possible end to petroleum exports. The President also defended Oil Minister Rafael Ramirez, who was caught on videotape threatening to fire state employees who oppose the Left-leaning leader. ``Repeat it 100 times a day,'' Mr. Chavez told Mr. Ramirez. ``PDVSA belongs to the revolution!'' — AP

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