STRATFOR:Venezuela-Chavez Threatens oil suspension to US

STRATFOR 3/1/04

Venezuela: Chavez Issues Threats as Violence Escalates

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has threatened to suspend oil shipments to the United States. While he is unlikely to do so at present, his threat reflects the escalating political tensions in the country, and U.S. firms could retaliate by suing PDVSA, the state-owned Venezuelan oil company.
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Global Market Brief: Feb. 29, 2004
Mar 01, 2004

Inflation figures have opened the door to a eurozone interest rate cut. A cut would be timely, as currency appreciation has begun to eat into corporate profits. The question is if -- and when -- the European Central Bank will walk through that door.