Venezuela backs off cheap oil deal with Livingstone

The London Times reports.

Venezuela is the fifth-largest oil exporter, but 38 per cent of its population falls below the United Nations poverty line. A UN report last week said that 18 per cent of the population suffered from hunger or malnutrition in 2003, up from 11 per cent a decade before.

Señor Chávez has been giving subsidised oil to allies in other countries in an attempt to extend his influence in the region and form alliances with other outspoken detractors of George Bush. Cuba receives about 100,000 barrels of cut-price oil a day from Venezuela and sends doctors to Venezuela in return. [Who promptly defect. ed.] Under the terms of a deal tentatively agreed on a visit to London, Señor Chávez will provide cheap fuel for London buses in return for advice on street cleaning.

In return for what?!?

Red Ken goes on to praise Chavez.

I think he’s been a very good president.”

Red Ken would say that as he now works for Chavez.