Capriles: No Venezuelan free oil as from 2013

Venezuelan opposition presidential candidate Henrique Capriles Radonski presented on Wednesday from the state of Anzoátegui, northeast Venezuela, his plan "Oil for Progress." He said that although Venezuela holds 20% of the world oil reserves, the country has been unable to increase production.

Capriles stated that had oil put been increased, oil revenues could have been used to build 9,000 schools and over 1,900 dwellings, among other things.

The opposition candidate also said that the current national government "gives away" over USD 7 billion through oil sales at discounted prices to Belarus, China, Argentina, and other countries. "As from January 2013, no more barrels of oil will be given for free," Capriles pledged.

Capriles added that workers of Pdvsa should not fear an opposition government; they should not be worried about losing their jobs. "Fear a country without industries or production, instead. We need everyone. Good times await the oil industry. Oil belongs to all Venezuelans," he said.

He also stressed that the president of state-owned oil company Pdvsa and minister of energy Rafael Ramírez has threatened workers of the oil industry so as to instill fear in them. "Taking advantage of one's position is an action of big cowards rather than men. When this man (referring to Ramírez) leaves office, the whole industry will celebrate."