ALSO for Chavez and his oil---

But it is a two-way street, leaving many to believe Chavez is issuing empty threats because — so far — he needs a U.S. market which accounts for something close to 50 per cent of his oil exports.

At three cents a litre, Venezuelans have the cheapest gas prices in the world, a fraction of the 56 cents they would pay for a litre of bottled water or the 70 cents they would pay for a litre of milk.