Venezuela Will Respond Firmly to US Economic War

Venezuelan Energy and Oil Minister Rafael Ramirez said Thursday that his country will respond 'assertively' to the legal actions taken by Exxon-Mobil to impede the US 'economic war' against the Chavez government. 'We’ve denounced that Exxon is clearly working in that direction and has the backing of the US State Department,' said Ramirez. Speaking at the Venezuelan National Assembly, the minister stated, 'We need to be as radical and convincing as necessary to face up to this situation.'