Vzla: Here's why the U.S. will drill in ANWR

Chavez said that

"U.S. citizens could forget about ever getting Venezuelan oil" if the United States ever tried to invade.

Venezuela provides about 15 percent of U.S. oil imports, but relations between the two countries are rocky over Chavez's friendship with Cuban President Fidel Castro, his criticism of U.S.-led negotiations for a free trade zone in the Americas and his opposition to the war in Iraq.

Were it not for Democrats and environmentalist wacko nuts, the U.S. would not have to rely on oil from Venezuela. As it stands, in this age of environment friendly drilling procedures (see here also), it is folly to have the U.S. dependent on foes for energy resources.

Here's another reason for ANWR.

New York's benchmark crude oil contract broke above US$37 a barrel Friday for the first time since the Iraq war, kicked higher by tensions in major producer Venezuela.

Light sweet crude for delivery in April leapt US$0.62 to US$37.26 a barrel at the close. Brent North Sea crude for April rose US$0.46 to finish at US$33.35.

Traders feared a repeat of last year's interruption to supplies from violence-torn Venezuela, where at least eight people have been killed and dozens injured in recent days in unrest over an official refusal to hold a referendum to recall President Hugo Chavez.

"People remember very well what happened when Venezuela went on strike," said Refco analyst Jim Still. "They are very nervous."