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CNN Live Saturday
Venezuelan National Guard Takes Over Two Oil Tankers
Aired December 21, 2002 - 17:33 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
RENAY SAN MIGUEL, CNN ANCHOR: Extreme measures by Venezuela's National Guard today. In an effort to re-start oil production in that country, the troops took control of two oil tankers from striking workers. The flow of oil from Venezuela has virtually stopped since workers went on strike earlier this month. CNN's Harris Whitbeck joins us by videophone from Caracas, Venezuela -- Harris.
HARRIS WHITBECK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Renay. The government of President Hugo Chavez is using the order that came from the country's supreme court a few days ago to try to restart the country's oil industry. That order from the supreme court indicated that all striking workers must return to work as quickly as possible. The nationwide strike called by the opposition here signifies about $50 million a day in lost export revenue for Venezuela. The government saying that all of these actions are acts of economic sabotage and it is taking steps to try to restart things down here.
One situation we heard about just a few minutes ago, the two top leaders of the opposition who have made the calls for the nationwide strike to continue apparently got information that they might be detained very soon. They quickly left the press conference that was taking place here in Caracas, and we now understand they are at an undisclosed location. They are taking measures to prevent this possible detention.
As the days go on, as the strike continues, its effects are being felt profoundly by the inhabitants of Venezuela, particularly here in Caracas, where gas lines are amazingly long. Some up to two or three miles long. Some people waiting more than 24 hours in line to try to obtain fuel for their vehicles. This in the fifth largest exporter of oil in the world, the second largest supplier of oil to the United States. So things are kind of getting worse. There are increased fears tonight of possible violence on the streets as people start getting desperate due to the effects of this nationwide strike -- Renay.
SAN MIGUEL: Harris, you talk about the long gas lines in Venezuela, but remind us again why Americans should care about this story compared -- in relation to what it means for them at their neighborhood gas pumps? How much of America's oil comes from Venezuela?
WHITBECK: Well, about 15 percent. Venezuela, as I said, is the second largest supplier of oil to the United States. With concerns of a possible U.S. intervention, U.S. war with Iraq, the U.S. oil supply becomes, of course, much more vital and Venezuela becomes much more important to U.S. interests. The strike here has already caused in part a hike in global oil prices. So of course, people are very concerned about the continued safety or the continued stability of Venezuela's supply of oil, not only to the U.S. but to the rest of the world.
SAN MIGUEL: All right. Harris Whitbeck, reporting live from Caracas, Venezuela, thank you for that report.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired December 21, 2002 - 17:33 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
RENAY SAN MIGUEL, CNN ANCHOR: Extreme measures by Venezuela's National Guard today. In an effort to re-start oil production in that country, the troops took control of two oil tankers from striking workers. The flow of oil from Venezuela has virtually stopped since workers went on strike earlier this month. CNN's Harris Whitbeck joins us by videophone from Caracas, Venezuela -- Harris.
HARRIS WHITBECK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Renay. The government of President Hugo Chavez is using the order that came from the country's supreme court a few days ago to try to restart the country's oil industry. That order from the supreme court indicated that all striking workers must return to work as quickly as possible. The nationwide strike called by the opposition here signifies about $50 million a day in lost export revenue for Venezuela. The government saying that all of these actions are acts of economic sabotage and it is taking steps to try to restart things down here.
One situation we heard about just a few minutes ago, the two top leaders of the opposition who have made the calls for the nationwide strike to continue apparently got information that they might be detained very soon. They quickly left the press conference that was taking place here in Caracas, and we now understand they are at an undisclosed location. They are taking measures to prevent this possible detention.
As the days go on, as the strike continues, its effects are being felt profoundly by the inhabitants of Venezuela, particularly here in Caracas, where gas lines are amazingly long. Some up to two or three miles long. Some people waiting more than 24 hours in line to try to obtain fuel for their vehicles. This in the fifth largest exporter of oil in the world, the second largest supplier of oil to the United States. So things are kind of getting worse. There are increased fears tonight of possible violence on the streets as people start getting desperate due to the effects of this nationwide strike -- Renay.
SAN MIGUEL: Harris, you talk about the long gas lines in Venezuela, but remind us again why Americans should care about this story compared -- in relation to what it means for them at their neighborhood gas pumps? How much of America's oil comes from Venezuela?
WHITBECK: Well, about 15 percent. Venezuela, as I said, is the second largest supplier of oil to the United States. With concerns of a possible U.S. intervention, U.S. war with Iraq, the U.S. oil supply becomes, of course, much more vital and Venezuela becomes much more important to U.S. interests. The strike here has already caused in part a hike in global oil prices. So of course, people are very concerned about the continued safety or the continued stability of Venezuela's supply of oil, not only to the U.S. but to the rest of the world.
SAN MIGUEL: All right. Harris Whitbeck, reporting live from Caracas, Venezuela, thank you for that report.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
