Chevron To Play Mediator Between Venezuela And US (CVX)

The Wall Street Journal reports that Chevron Corp. (NYSE: CVX) has inked a multi-billion dollar deal with the Venezuelan government to drill oil in Venezuela. But it seems as if Chevron’s plans to keep business and politics apart may come as a cropper, if statements made by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez are any indicator.

Hugo Chavez was speaking at the ceremony to award the oil blocks to Chevron, when he let Ali Moshiri, Chevron Chief for Latin America and Africa, know that for him, business and politics go together. "Ali, my friend," Chavez said, speaking before a couple dozen executives from foreign oil firms also involved in the auction. "We want you to help us improve our situation, our relations, with the U.S. government."

Chevron seems less than inclined to take Chavez on his word, as relations between the US and Venezuela continue to be terrible. "Chevron has no comments on the political dialogue between the two countries," the company said in an emailed statement Thursday, referring to Chavez’s requests. "Our focus is on business and we continue to move in that direction."