WILLEMSTAD – The recent declarations made by Rafael Ramírez, the Venezuelan minister of Energy as well as president of the state oil company PdVSA, made for the necessary political reactions.

In PdVSA’s company magazine Ramírez declared not to know what to do with the Isla-refinery and called Curaçao ‘an aircraft carrier of the US'.

Island Council member Armin Konket (MAN) believes that the politicians should be more attentive and give more attention to geo-politics.

"If Ramírez believes that Curaçao is an aircraft carrier for the US and we are
working on a re-colonization, what’s Venezuela’s problem with this? Why
would Venezuela be interested in our independence?", Konket wonders.
Konket stated that there is nothing they can do except trust that the owner of
refinery, Refineria di Kòrsou, and the lessee PdVSA will adhere to the lease
contract. And if this is not the case, that at least PdVSA will be given a
severe sanction for breaking the contract.

According to PNP-island council member Humphrey Davelaar the party agreed
internally not to go into the Ramírez-matter individually. The PNP will emit a
press release regarding the above later this week.

The PLKP also doesn’t want to comment on Ramírez’ statement yet. Island
council member César Prince stated that the party will discuss the matter
during a meeting to be held tomorrow evening.

Sedney Ignacio of the FOL requested a meeting to discuss PdVSA and the
Isla-refinery. The party first wants to receive information from the
commissioner of Government-nv's Emily De Jongh-Elhage (PAR) before giving a
statement.

Minister-president Etienne Ys (PAR) doesn’t see any reason for concern
relating to the declarations made by Rafael Ramírez about the Isla-refinery. Ys
stated that the lease contact has 20 more years to go and that he believes that
both parties will adhere to the contract.

"We will ask around via diplomatic channels what minister Ramírez meant
exactly", stated Ys. According to the premier PdVSA is a renowned company and
the contracts is backed by both governments. Re-evaluation of the contract is
possible of course, but if there is an actual desire to do so must still be
established, stated Ys.