This past weekend Venezuela moved its central bank foreign reserves out of US banks, sold all of their US securities and moved them to Europe. Chavez
once again proposed the creation of a South American central bank with a portion of the holdings ear-marked for a special fund. Money placed in the
fund would be for economic development and to pay off outstanding debt.
news.moneycentral.msn.com
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) - Venezuela has moved its central bank foreign reserves out of U.S. banks, liquidated its investments in U.S. Treasury
securities and placed the funds in Europe, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said Friday.
"We've had to move the international reserves from U.S. banks because of the threats," from the U.S., Chavez said during televised remarks from a
South American summit in Brazil.
Chavez again proposed the creation of a South American central bank that would hold the foreign exchange reserves of all the central banks in the
region.
"I'm ready right now with the Venezuelan central bank ... to move $5 billion (euro4.15 billion) (of Venezuelan reserves), to a South American
bank," Chavez said.
Foreign exchange reserves held by the central bank stood at $30.434 billion (euro25.27 billion) as of Sept. 28, according to central bank data.
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In addition to these economic actions Venezuela now requires that all foreign oil companies sign new joint-venture contracts with the Government. So
far, all but one have signed.
Chavez: Oil cos. must form joint ventures
The Associated Press/CARACAS, Venezuela
Oct. 2 7:52 P.M. ET
All foreign oil companies with operating contracts to pump oil in Venezuela must comply with a new law and agree to form joint ventures with the
government, and any that refuse will not be welcome, President Hugo Chavez said.
Chavez said many companies resisted the shift to joint venture deals at first, but that most have since agreed.
"Almost all have agreed, there is just one European company left. And I have said: those that don't accept it should pick up their things and go,
and hand over all the (oil) wells," he said.
Oil companies running Venezuela's 32 oil operating agreements must convert their deals into joint ventures with state oil company Petroleos de
Venezuela SA, or PDVSA. The state oil company is to have a majority share in all joint ventures with foreign firms.
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So while the US economy tethers on the brink because of
record damage to it's energy
supply, Venezuela dumps US securities for the Euro and solidifies control over it's own oil industry.
They must be getting ready for something...
Petrodollar Warfare: Dollars, Euros and the Upcoming Iranian Oil Bourse
I'm guessing the "Powers That Be" are none too happy about these developments.
.
Related News Links:
www.financialsense.com
[edit on 10/3/2005 by Gools]