CHAVEZ THREATENS TO CUT OFF OIL TO U.S.
Baku, July 26 (AZERTAC). Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez Sunday said his country will stop exporting oil to the United States if there is a military attack stemming from escalating tensions between Venezuela and Colombia.
Speaking at a political rally, Chavez warned of a military attack from Colombia, and accused the United States of being behind such an attack.
"The Yankee empire has no limit to its manipulation," Chavez said.
Colombia and Venezuela are at odds over accusations that Colombian rebels have found refuge in Venezuela. Colombia called an emergency meeting of the Organization of American States last week, in which it provided photos that it said were evidence of camps belonging to the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia -- known by its Spanish abbreviation, FARC -- in Venezuela.
Venezuela denies the accusations, and in response broke off diplomatic ties with the neighboring country.
If there is an attack from Colombia, Chavez said Sunday, Venezuela would stop supplying oil to the United States, "even if we have to eat rocks" because of the repercussions.
"That would be a response of dignity and high caliber," Chavez said.
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, Venezuela is the fifth-largest supplier of crude oil to the United States, delivering an average of 894,000 barrels of oil per day.
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