CITGO's Program is Still In Effect; Hugo Chavez Still Presumed to be Evil Incarnate

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — President Hugo Chavez said Saturday that Venezuela's program to provide heating oil to poor American families was never halted, despite concerns that deliveries might be interrupted.

Venezuela's Citgo Petroleum Corp. had to make a public announcement that the aid would continue after its partner nonprofit group said Citgo stopped the free fuel shipments because of the world economic crisis.

Citgo Chief Executive Alejandro Granado later said in Boston that the company had found a way to continue paying for oil shipments.

Was the original decision reversed or was there no decision to end the program?  We'll never know.  Either way, I haven't heard any news outlet saying that it's a wonderful thing what Chavez is doing for our poor.  Nor has the Prez or the P.E. ("President-Elect") said otherwise.