Why is the US still buying oil from Venezuela? 13 replies

Today Chavez recalled his ambassador from USA and expelled the US Ambassador.

He has also threatened to cut off oil shipments to the US.

I say cut the dammed oil supply from Venezuela and break off diplomatic relations with Venezuela and ban all travel and trade to and from Venezuela.

It will cause US gas prices to go up quite a bit but at this point I think that might be a good thing. The recent gas prices have killed sales of gas guzzling SUV's and forced America to be more energy efficient, all good things.

Allow offshore drilling in US and keep pushing for fuel cell and bio fuels and tell Venezuela to stick it.

To answer your title question, Because we are stupid.

I'd like to see them on the terrorist list (keep in mind Terrorism is to put the fear in people). As mentioned, he threatens to cut oil supply.

Warborg;4571563 I'd like to see them on the terrorist list (keep in mind Terrorism is to put the fear in people). As mentioned, he threatens to cut oil supply.

That's not what terrorism is. At all.

It would also be completely hypocritical, if you consider the State's aggressive diplomacy during the current administration and through its history.

Anlushac11;4571532Today Chavez recalled his ambassador from USA and expelled the US Ambassador. He has also threatened to cut off oil shipments to the US. I say cut the dammed oil supply from Venezuela and break off diplomatic relations with Venezuela and ban all travel and trade to and from Venezuela. It will cause US gas prices to go up quite a bit but at this point I think that might be a good thing. The recent gas prices have killed sales of gas guzzling SUV's and forced America to be more energy efficient, all good things. Allow offshore drilling in US and keep pushing for fuel cell and bio fuels and tell Venezuela to stick it.

There's only one problem with that. There are too many other consumers willing to step in a buy Venezuela's oil such as India and China. It would proobly hurt us more than them.

...Probably until we can strike a deal with Brazil or start drilling our own.

Buddy Jesus;4572097There's only one problem with that. There are too many other consumers willing to step in a buy Venezuela's oil such as India and China. It would probably hurt us more than them.

Yup, exactly that. It would hurt the US more (even though the level of 'hurt' would be comparatively low) and it would probably support a lot of what Chavez has been saying.

The stuff from Venezuela is not the best stuff to get when making fuels like gasoline and diesel. Oil from Venezuela is heavier than the common light sweet crude we buy from the ME. It takes more refining to get heavier oil into final products than light sweet crude. Heavier oils are cheaper, but the extra refinement makes up for the difference in cost.

Chavez is a hypocrite. He says he hates the US with a passion, yet he keeps selling the US its lifeblood. If the man had some balls he would stop shipping oil to the US. I think he fears US backlash over such an action.

I could care less if oil went up to $175-200 a barrel. I don't drive(either public bus, walking, or bike), and I buy very little. A higher price for oil would drive the production of alternatives to come to market much quicker.

I seem to remember oil hovered around the 150-160 mark earlier this year. That said the social upheaval surrounding the increased price of oil and associated consequences such as mass unemployment and food shortages may well make the deployment of any alternative impossible.

Nemmerle;4572597I seem to remember oil hovered around the 150-160 mark earlier this year. That said the social upheaval surrounding the increased price of oil and associated consequences such as mass unemployment and food shortages may well make the deployment of any alternative impossible.

The priced jumped quickly which shocked many people who were not prepared for the high prices. However, if the American people are given time to adjust to the prices, then many of the negative consequences can be averted or negated. The Europeans don't have much of a problem paying the equivalent of $7 a gallon for gas. They managed to find solutions that allowed their economy to continue to run well while using less fossil fuels.

Anlushac11;4571532Today Chavez recalled his ambassador from USA and expelled the US Ambassador.

He has also threatened to cut off oil shipments to the US.

I say cut the dammed oil supply from Venezuela and break off diplomatic relations with Venezuela and ban all travel and trade to and from Venezuela.

It will cause US gas prices to go up quite a bit but at this point I think that might be a good thing. The recent gas prices have killed sales of gas guzzling SUV's and forced America to be more energy efficient, all good things.

Allow offshore drilling in US and keep pushing for fuel cell and bio fuels and tell Venezuela to stick it.

well thats a bit extreme don't you think!? One it would ruin diplomatic relations...always a bad thing. two oil is used for nearly everything. even paracetamol!!! it would Take years to find an alternative for ALL these things, not just machines but basic things. Plastics:made from polymers and monomers depending on type(made from oil) Roads are made with oil,nearly everything is Ban all trade and everything with venezuela?Well that would not go down well would it....One the Us would lose vital trade and imigrints(population growth) Also it would almost ruin venezuela, the ountry almost relies on oil exports for the majorirty of their money made,if the country goes bust then many other countries would take a dominoe effect whilst some became richer.

It would take YEARS to find an alternative source for oil and ALOT OF MONEY to get more oil in which in other forms could ruin their oil imports as the US would buy it all.....