The 1 million-member Venezuelan Workers Confederation, Venezuela’s largest labor group, is calling for a general strike on Tuesday, April 9, 2002 to support managers at Petroleos de Venezuela recently fired by the government. The oil managers had been protesting for over one month in response to President Hugo Chavez’ attempts at gaining tighter control over the company by directly appointing executives to oversee operations. Oil exports have been disrupted as a result. This has been viewed as part of Chavez’ overall scheme during his presidency to gain more control of the Venezuelan oil industry. Venezuela produces 2.43 million barrels of crude a day and is the third-largest supplier of foreign oil to the United States, after Canada and Saudi Arabia.

News Stories:

"Vicepresidente: Ingenieros desaparecidos están huyendo,"
El Universal (Caracas, Venezuela), April 8, 2002

"Paro nacional de 24 horas convoca para el martes la mayor central venezolana,"
El Tiempo (Colombia), April 8, 2002

"OPEC Could Act if Venezuela Oil Action Prolonged,"
Reuters, April 8, 2002

"Venezuela Leader Fires 7 Oil Execs,"
Associated Press, April 7, 2002

"Venezuela oil dispute claims victims,"
The BBC News, April 6, 2002