Prime Minister P.J. Patterson (right) listens keenly to Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez during a press conference at the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Montego Bay on August 23, 2005. Chavez was in the island to sign the PetroCaribe bilateral agreement with Jamaica. - HERBERT MCKENIS/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP):
A CANDIDATE challenging Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez for the presidency said his top campaign issue will be what he calls a massive waste of billions of dollars through generous oil deals for friendly countries.
Chavez, leading strongly in the polls, denied the accusations by candidate Julio Borges on Tuesday night, calling his challenger a "frijolito" - or "small fry" - and expressing confidence in an easy re-election victory in December.
Borges said earlier Tuesday that his party, Justice First, calculates Chavez's government has agreed more than US$16 billion in unprofitable international oil deals and humanitarian donations.
Chavez insisted in a speech, "We aren't giving gifts to anyone." He argued the oil is sold at market prices, though with special financing arrangements.
GIVEAWAYS
His website, www.julioborges2006.com, alleges that Chavez has 'given away' more than US$5 billion to Cuba, ranging from an electricity project to oil sales exchanged partially for the services of thousands of Cuban doctors.
Borges lists US$4.5 billion for Brazil, including plans for an oil refinery, plus more than US$200 million for the United States, including sales of discounted home heating oil to low-income Americans in the North-east.
Venezuela last year signed the PetroCaribe agreement with 13 Caribbean countries, allowing them to pay 60 per cent of their bill up front and pay off the rest as a 25-year loan with a one per cent interest rate.
Chavez noted many of the oil deals merely allow long-term, low-cost financing for part of the bill. Some countries also can pay partly in goods or services, such as bananas, beans or the work of some 20,000 Cuban doctors now treating Venezuela's poor without charge.
"How much do 20,000 doctors cost? Add it up," Chavez urged his listeners. "Look how foolish these people from the opposition are."
Chavez says such oil deals are a step away from U.S. dominance and toward greater regional integration.
