Chavez welcomed the nationalization of YPF

Caracas, April 17th, 2012

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Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez expressed full support for Cristina Kirchner to nationalize YPF and provided technical assistance from the state company Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) “to strengthen public sector oil and consolidation of its energy sovereignty.”

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro, read a statement from President Hugo Chavez in which “welcomes and supports the decision announced by the Government of Argentina to nationalize Argentina’s main oil company.”

The text adds: “Venezuela rejects the threat or intimidation attempts from Europe against Argentina and calls on sisters nations on the continent to accompany Argentina in the exercise of its sovereign rights.”

Furthermore, the Venezuelan government condemned the threats of Spain. “It’s unbelievable that there are expressions such as we saw today by some spokesmen in Europe where it seemed we were a hundred years ago and were talking about who gave coups in all our countries and owners believe our natural resources. That is over, this time,” he said.