Hoy is reporting that the government of Venezuela wants to
renegotiate the agreement with the Dominican Republic that permits the Dominican
refinery to purchase oil at preferential prices. While the negotiations are
underway, the refinery will have to purchase oil on the international markets.
Amaury Justo Duarte, the president of the local refinery (REFIDOMSA), said that
talks are ongoing and that although he had concluded discussions with potential
suppliers from Europe, it was in the best interests of REFIDOMSA to continue
dealing with Venezuela, especially because Venezuelan supplies are just 36 hours
away.
Industry & Commerce Minister Sonia Guzm?n told reporters that the problems with
Venezuelan oil are of a technical nature and not tied to politics. According to
the minister, many of the key technicians of the Venezuelan refineries went on a
strike that was called by groups opposed to President Ch?vez, and that they have
not been reinstated, thus affecting production levels in Venezuela.