Chavez Seeks More Power in OPEC and the United Nations: World Energy Monthly Review Interviews Venezuelan Insiders to Look at How Chavez's Control is Impacting the Country.

HOUSTON -- While Chavez seeks a seat on the United Nations Security Council, he also seeks entry of Bolivia and Ecuador into OPEC. World Energy Monthly Review, May edition, interviews Venezuelan insiders asking questions such as the effectiveness of Venezuela's oil policy, changes experienced under seven years of Chavez, Chavez's impact on foreign relations and whether or not his Bravado should be taken seriously, with answers such as "negating opportunities", "inorganic growth", "increased international tension", and "rapidly developing dangerous relations with Iran, Cuba, Libya, North Korea and recently with Hamas..." This story is followed in our June edition with a look at Nationalization of assets throughout Latin America.

According to Roberto Smith, former Minister of Transportation and Communication, the present policy in Venezuela of state ownership, political polarization is "negating opportunities... to develop the country". Banco Venezolano de Credito president Oscar Garcia Mendoza relays that oil production is declining; the government is using the nation's oil income as a "geopolitical weapon against the interest of its own people." A change is needed, and while it is not easy, according to Mendoza, "a large number of Venezuelans are fighting for it."

Change under seven years of Chavez government has harvested "inorganic growth" according to Former Chairman of the Venezuelan Food Industry Chamber, Rafael Alfonzo. Alfonzo stresses that during Chavez's seven years he has increased the government's military budget, instated a "gag" law to control information, seized control of congress, and in legitimizing his ideological revolution, has polarized the country.

Polarization has led to increased national tension, and according to Milos Alcalay, former Venezuelan Ambassador to the United Nations, "Situations created by Chavez's government, in both national and international spheres, endanger the security of not just Latin America, but the Western Hemisphere in general." According to Diego E. Arria, former ambassador to UN, the influence of the regime currently controlling Venezuela projects far beyond Venezuelan borders.

Further responses from Venezuelan insiders including Bernardo Alvarez, Ambassador of Venezuela, can be read online at http://www.worldenergysource.com/wemr/index.cfm

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