Citgo suspends U.S. heating oil donations

CARACAS, Venezuela, Jan. 6 (UPI) -- Venezuela's state-owned oil company is suspending a program of donating free heating oil to low-income consumers in the United States, officials say.

Citgo Petroleum, the subsidiary of Venezuelan company based in Houston, gave out $100 million in free heating oil last winter to people in 23 U.S. states, including 65 Indian tribes. The program was hailed by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, who had vowed to expand it, and criticized by U.S. opponents as a publicity stunt by the socialist leader, McClatchy News Service reported Tuesday.

But, citing falling revenues due to lower oil prices, the nonprofit company distributing the oil, Citizens Energy of Boston, says Citgo has suspended the effort.

Citizens Enegery head Joseph P. Kennedy II, a former congressman and a son of the late U.S. Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, said on the nonprofit's Web site, "Some people say it's bad politics to do this. I say it's a crime against humanity not to. Because no one, no one should be left out in the cold."

"Venezuelan government officials would rather cut social programs abroad -- such as in the United States, Ecuador and Nicaragua -- than affect social programs in Venezuela," Pietro Pitts, a Caracas-based oil analyst, told McClatchy.