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MYB: U.S., Venezuela major business partners in oil industry
Christine Romans breaks down the financial relationship between the United States and Venezuela in the wake of President Hugo Chavez's death. "It is the fourth largest supplier of gas to the U.S. Energy after - you've got Canada, Mexico, Saudi Arabia and then Venezuela," Romans reports.
Romans explains that Chavez was simultaneously a sworn enemy and a major business partner of the United States, for really blunting American efforts in many places across Latin America for years now, by giving subsidized oil to people who agreed with him and disagreed with the United States.
“And this really gives the U.S. and its Latin American policy a great, unbelievable opening,” Romans says. “So how the U.S. treads here is really important diplomatically but also right down to what goes into your gas tank.”
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's health worsens – Shasta Darlington reports
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is fighting a new infection, and his breathing problems have worsened, Information Minister Ernesto Villegas said late Monday.
"There is a worsening of the respiratory function, related to the state of his depressed immune system," Villegas said, reading an official statement on state-run VTV.
He reported Chavez is battling a new and "severe" infection, stressing that his overall condition remains "very delicate." Chavez is undergoing chemotherapy and other treatments, he said.
"The president continues to hold fast to Christ and to life, aware of the difficulties he's facing," Villegas said.
This morning on "Early Start," Shasta Darlington reports on the latest in Chavez's condition.
Read More: Battling a new infection, Chavez has breathing problems
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