Venezuela Denies Talk of Falling Oil Output

The government on Monday denied a press report that labor conflicts at oil fields in western Venezuela have reduced output by 200,000 barrels per day.

“There is no diminution of production. Currently, oil production is 3.07 million barrels” per day, Energy Minister Rafael Ramirez told reporters, responding to a story in the Caracas daily El Mundo.


He blasted the newspaper as “irresponsible” and said the story was probably part
of “a destabilization maneuver,” which is how Venezuela’s socialist government often characterizes criticism or protests.

Ramirez did acknowledge some labor difficulties in connection with the recent nationalization of oil wells that had been operated by private firms using equipment belonging to state-owned PDVSA.

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