US embassy cable - 04CARACAS3779

C O N F I D E N T I A L CARACAS 003779 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
STATE FOR WHA/CCA 
NSC FOR CBARTON 
USCINCSO ALSO FOR POLAD 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/02/2014 
TAGS: PREL, ETTC, VE, CU 
SUBJECT: VENEZUELA: RESPONSE ON TITLE III OF CUBA LIBERTAD 
ACT 
 
REF: A. STATE 248337 
 
     B. STATE 259685 
 
Classified By: Abelardo A. Arias, Political Counselor, 
for Reasons 1.4(b). 
 
1. (C) In response to tasking in ref a, Post sees no evidence 
that the GOV has undertaken policies or actions to advance 
democracy, human rights, or fundamental freedoms in Cuba over 
the last six months.  President Hugo Chavez is a close ally 
of Fidel Castro and often praises Cuba as a "bastion of 
dignity" in the face of U.S. imperialism.  Chavez has 
publicly differed with Castro over the communist model, but 
this has never approached the level of criticism. 
 
2. (C) We are not aware of investment in Cuba by host country 
nor of joint ventures with the GOC.  In the past year, there 
have been press reports about proposals for PDVSA to partner 
with Cuba's state oil company, CUPET, in projects such as the 
overhaul of the Cienfuegos Refinery.  We have to date seen no 
information that such proposals have been acted upon. 
 
3. (C) Venezuela maintains a significant trading relationship 
with Cuba, the principal factor of which is oil.  Under a 
bilateral agreement, the GOC purchases Venezuelan oil on 
concessional terms.  Under the agreement, Venezuela provides 
Cuba with 53,000 b/d of crude and other products.  In fact, 
however, we believe that daily exports exceed this number. 
The GOC, in return, provides the GOV with non-monetary 
support, such as Cuban doctors to work in poor Venezuelan 
neighborhoods or curricula for the Venezuelan literacy 
program "Mission Robinson."  Although the GOV does not 
publish data regarding the oil trade with Cuba, private 
estimates suggest the GOC is US$1.5 billion in arrears with 
the Venezuelan state oil company, PDVSA. 
Brownfield 
 
 
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      2004CARACA03779 - CONFIDENTIAL