Petro Express sees no future in (Hugo Chavez’s) Citgo
UPDATE:
The anti-American Citgo brand continues to crash as the public finds out where every penny goes that they spend at Citgo stations.
Look at this great new website design for Citgo’s American corporate site:
http://beauty.gmu.edu/AVT483%2C616/AVT483%2D003/s06/icollich/project2/index.html
The strongman’s `devil’ speech has spurred a massive boycott of the Venezuelan gas with the “American” logo
By Mick Gregory
“Hey, hey, ho, ho, Citgo and Hugo have got to go!”
How about singing that as you buy only some chewing gum at your grungy neigborhood Citgo. But don’t buy the gas from that ass.
UPDATE: June 27, 2007–Citgo Boycott working in Florida. Check out what a few Americans were able to do in Spring Hill Florida.
http://citgoboycott.org/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=105
Petro Express in the Charlotte area is phasing out Citgo gasoline. By early 2007, the company will no longer sell the brand.
Citgo, the refining and marketing arm of Venezuelan national oil company PDVSA, has become the subject of a growing boycott in the United States since Venezuelan strongman Hugo “The Boss” Chavez referred to the president as “the devil” in a United Nations speech.
Petro Express is dropping gas from 45 of its 66 locations as fast as they can in 2006; the rest within the first quarter of 2007. The company joins convenience store giant 7-Eleven, which on July 31st, dumped Citgo at its 2,100 locations, joined by Circle-K which reports it is dropping some 700 Citgo locations to go with more reliable gas suppliers and brands.
Petro Express has redoubled remodeling its locations and called the changes “renewed emphasis on the Petro Express brand.” They have signed with other fuel companies. It’s not just a name change.
Update 5/17/07: Several companies filed a lawsuit and are seeking class action status alleging the Venezuelan owned refiner helped OPEC fix energy prices in the United States. The suit claims Citgo provided unlawful assistance to OPEC, and has implemented Venezuela’s and OPEC’s price fixing scheme in the United States. The complaint alleges, “Citgo has agreed with OPEC to provide the cartel, directly and through member nation Venezuela, with technical services and with information that greatly assist OPEC in its effort to fix the price of oil at anti-competitive levels.”
Update 2/7/07: Citgo, the Venezuelan oil company operating in the U.S. has failed to file SEC reports for the past 18 months and its Houston corporate website says they still have 13,000 retail locations (and they’re sticking to it), even though there are well-publicized reports of more than 3,000 locations that have dropped the Citgo brand in 2006, including 7-Eleven, Circle-K and Petro Express.
Remaining Citgo retailers seem willing to weather the national boycott, things are going to get better? You think? Some owners are apparently satisfied with the big discounts Citgo grants them on fuel for staying with the tarnished brand. What’s the future in that, when oil is at historic highs?
Analysts are beginning to wonder how much longer the Citgo brand will exist. The organizational, legal and marketing costs of maintaining the brand are much more than the value the brand generates to attract customers. In fact, it may well be repelling customers. Chavez could shave some $60 to $70 million from the budget. Several million dollars have been slashed from the marketing and promotion budget. The sponsorships of NASCAR, BassMasters fishing tournament and several regional sports promotions have been cut, and the Events Marketing Manager Geoff Smith was let go in January. Plus there are expensive lawsuits springing up from retail owners regarding pricing irregularities and lack of marketing support. That’s on top of serious federal EPA lawsuits for illegal emissions.
Citgo Is Already Dead. Chavez Just Doesn’t Know It Yet.
Updated March 2nd, 2007.
No matter how the greedy executives (who still work at the storefront for a Marxist revolution) spin it, Citgo profits all go back to Hugo Chavez.
I asked a CEO in the energy business if he knew about the Citgo boycott. He did. He believes it is working. Then I asked what he thought of the future of the Venezuelan-owned gasoline company.
He offered this great quote. “Like a rose in a vase, it’s already dead. It may look alive today, but it’s dead and they don’t even know it.”
So, as a service, print this quote out and give it to your local Citgo station manager. Do them a favor. It’s much better if they drop Citgo first, it’s better bargaining leverage. They will thank you for it later.
At $56 a barrel, PDVSA would be better off selling their Venezuelan, OPEC oil on the world market without the expense of supporting a failed brand name.
Remember the “feel good” ad campaign Citgo ran last year, “Fueling the Future?” There were no reported sales gains from the multi-million dollar effort. How long before PDVSA’s financial advisors run the numbers?
NEWS ALERT: Several U.S. companies file a federal class action lawsuit against Citgo for price fixing.
Members of the media who wish to speak to Plaintiffs’ Counsel in this case should contact:
Cooper & Kirk, PLLC
Charles J. Cooper
David H. Thompson
David Lehn
Stuart M. Paynter
(202) 220-9600
ccooper@cooperkirk.com
Cunningham Bounds Yance Crowder & Breedlove, LLP
John T. Crowder
Robert T. Cunningham, Jr.
Richarf T. Dorman
(251) 471-6191
jtc@cbycb.com
Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP
Robert Eisler
(212) 355-9500
reisler@lchb.com
Susman Godfrey, LLP
Geoffrey L. Harrison
(713) 651-9366
gharrison@susmangodfrey.com
For the past two years Citgo has discounted a 3 million gallons of heating oil to the poor in several “blue” states — including New York, Connecticut, Vermont, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Maine — in what is widely seen as an effort by Chavez to embarrass the U.S. government, make himself look good to American liberals, and influence elections.
A strange ploy in that the crime-ridden slums of Caracus are home to some of South America’s poorest people. They are in reality the ones discounting their oil profits to boost Chavez’s image in America.
But this year, some communities are balking at Chavez’s offer.
Maine Gov. John Baldacci, who approved an agreement last winter to buy discounted oil, said he had no plans this year to seek a similar arrangement. In Boston, a City Council member wants a Citgo sign behind the outfield of Fenway Park taken down and replaced with an American flag. In Florida, a lawmaker asked the state to cancel Citgo’s exclusive contract to sell fuel at Florida Turnpike service stations.A clerk at one of the Petro Express stores that still carries the Citgo brand said the gasoline would remain at his location until next year when the final 21 stores are remodeled. He said the station would still accept the Citgo gas card until then.
– CHRISTOPHER KIRKPATRICK of the Charlotte Observer
And some Alaskan villages threw an “Eskimo pie” at Chavez and refused his discounted heating oil promotion, on the patriotic principle that no foreigner has the right to call their president “the devil.”
At the same time, the Marxist president, Chavez signed agreements with China to supply 500,000 barrels a day in crude, half of America’s supply. A barrel of oil converts to aproximately 40 gallons of gasoline. That puts into the focus the future of Citgo in America.
The Citgo boycott has signs it is working. The “mom and pop” retailers are getting the message. They know what their customers are saying and can see the falling receipts. Their managers have stories to report every day of homemade signs saying “Boycott Citgo Chavez,” “Shit-Go,” and “Say No to Citgo.”
Chavez threatens private television stations with closure
Progress Socialist President Hugo Chavez warned Friday that he is disposed to close those television channels who lend themselves to spreading messages of “hate” and non-recognition of the authorities during the December 3 election campaign, AP reported.
“A television channel which lends itself to the spreading of the messages of terrorism, of hate, of war, or calling for the non-recognition of the authorities, it has to be closed,” Chavez declared during an event held with sympathizers on the Island of Margarita.
Chavez denounced that “new destabilizing plans” existed for the next elections in which he will seek re-election.
The Chief Executive indicated, without citing names or proof, that there were some media and business sectors who would be in favor of destabilizing plans.
He urged on civil employees, prosecutors, and the National Armed Forces that “we are taking the lead and we must fulfill the laws,” and take action against those sectors who would be supporting these acts.
“We are not going to permit Venezuela to run with blood again,” the President indicated after recounting the events of April 2002 which removed him from government for two days.
“I am not myself obliged to take drastic actions because I have no thoughts of any type except safeguarding the sovereignty and stability of the country,” Chavez added.
Chavez reiterated that the Venezuelan military has to be identified with his political project. “The Venezuelan armed forces has to be “red/light red,” patriotic to the marrow, he made clear. (Light red because of his love for Marxist politics).
Behind mirrored sunglasses and next to his yellow Mustang with black racing stripe, stock trader James Cox pumped the highest-octane gas he could find at the Petro Express on South Independence Boulevard.
He was happy it wasn’t Citgo — a product of Venezuelan oil fields and a once-familiar sight at Charlotte-based Petro Express gas stations.
Petro Express Inc. is phasing out Citgo Petroleum Corp. gasoline. By next year, the company will no longer sell the brand.
Citgo, the refining arm of Venezuelan national oil company PDVSA, has become the subject of a growing boycott in the United States since Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez referred to the president as “the devil” in a United Nations speech.
Until recently, Cox said, he had not thought much about the lineage of individual brands of gasoline.
“I hate (Chavez), but usually for gas, where I buy is for the convenience,” he said.
Petro Express hasn’t cited global politics as the reason for the change, but the brand was dropped from 45 of its 66 locations in 2006, the rest in 2007. The company joins convenience store giant 7-Eleven, which dumped Citgo at its 2,100 locations last year.
Dallas-based 7-Eleven said it had a change in the works for several years, but noted in a written statement that “regardless of politics, we sympathize with many Americans’ concern over derogatory comments about our country.”
– Charlotte Observer report
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63 responses so far ↓
Metafor // October 19, 2006 at 12:22 am |
Excellent articles concerning Citgo. Chavez has awakened the sleeping tiger and Citgo is feeling the love! Keep it up!
therestofthenews.blogspot.com
Mic // October 19, 2006 at 8:55 am |
You have a very good blog, one of the best I’ve seen on current issues. I’m going to link you to mine if you don’t mind.
Good idea about ‘tiger in your tank.’ How about ‘put a terrorist in your tank’ or ‘tamel tiger in your tank?’ That is what it’s like when you buy at Citgo. It would make a great James Bond movie theme. The lazy Americans and left wing Democrats are financing a gang of dictators such as Kim Jong Il and Hugo Chavez as they trade in missiles, fighter jets, AK-47s.
John // October 22, 2006 at 5:34 pm |
Hugo Chavez will be leader for life. He is the Fidel Castro heir-apparent with visions of grandure. Any American who understands the horror of socialism will never buy their gas at Citgo. But that’s not enough. There should be a huge movement to contain the madman and alert others to what is behind the Citgo ‘trimark.’
Loren // October 30, 2006 at 2:24 pm |
I find it interesting that for all the discussion about Petro Express no longer marketing the Citgo brand, NOWHERE do I see that they will not continue to obtain their supply from Citgo. Anybody have any evidence to the contrary?
Michael // October 30, 2006 at 4:58 pm |
Loren, I worked in the energy field (for Citgo). When Petro Express announced that they will no longer be marketing Citgo, that means they will no longer be buying Citgo (Hugo Chavez’s) gas. They will be buying from other suppliers, i.e., Shell, Exxon, Texaco, etc. Citgo only sells gas to it’s branded dealers. And gas is not fungible like some of your readers have tried to say. (Maybe Citgo PR people).
Here’s more. “We have chosen to market the Petro Express fuel brand in lieu of any national brand,” the company said in a written statement. The company did not mention CITGO in the statement and did not return calls for comment from the Observer.
An employee at one of the 21 remaining CITGO branded stations told the paper that CITGO fuel will continue to be supplied until the final 21 stores are remodeled and that the location will continue to accept CITGO gas cards until that time.
Michael // October 30, 2006 at 6:40 pm |
Loren, it seems like Petro Express is “hiding” the fact that it is really Citgo gas under private brand name, but that is not the case. Citgo debrands any station that doesn’t follow strict guidelines in the areas of store design, restroom cleanliness and contracted benchmark discounts on the Citgo gas. The retailers who opt out, go to jobbers for their gas. Citgo doesn’t follow that system, they have a much higher margin on Citgo refined and marketed gas. That’s why Citgo cut off some 1,800 stations in July, because they had to go to the spot market outside of their refined supply. They had to purchase refined gas from Exon and Shell.
My guess is that Chavez had wanted to create a crisis and stop all shipments of Citgo gas, sometime next year to or early ‘08 to sway voters in the presidential election. But first, he wants to sell off most Citgo refineries and pipelines. The mainstream media is too far in bed with the Democrat party to dig into this story.
Michael // October 31, 2006 at 12:18 pm |
I’ve read bloggers saying that gasoline is a fungible good like a bushel wheat. That is a false reading of the term. The market postings are of barrels of oil not gasoline. The barrels are labled “West Texas Light, Sweet Crude” or “Saudi Light Sweet Crude.” Gasoline brands are not uniform bushels of wheat. In fact, in the U.S., there are now 18 fuel grades.
Venezuela’s sour, (high sulfur content), heavy (tar-like) oil is not mentioned in the market price benchmarks. Citgo refineries have to “crack,” boil and add solvents to turn the tar into gas. Citgo makes a huge profit margin from that process. That’s why Citgo culled some 1,800 retailers in July, they were forced to buy from the spot market to fulfill their contracts. Plus there are reports that Chavez wants to sell all Citgo assets, so large Citgo retailers who know the business are finding new gasoline brands, brands that actually attract customers.
Mick // November 2, 2006 at 1:34 pm |
Alert to Citgo brand retailers:
CITGO, PDVSA’s affiliate in the United States, has sold its 41.25% share in the Lyondell-CITGO refinery in Houston. The price obtained from the sale of its share is $2.2 billion, which gives a net amount of $1.3 billion after paying liabilities and taxes.
The price itself seems reasonable. What makes no sense is disposing of a strategic asset that served to guarantee PDVSA’s presence in the U.S. market.
At the beginning of this year, Lyondell Chemical and CITGO put the refinery up for sale. A number of offers were received, but, in the end, Lyondell announced that it did not want to dispose of the refinery and informed its partner, CITGO, that it would buy it out matching the best offer. The total value of this refinery, with an excellent location near the sea and which processes 256,000 b/d of oil, had been valued at $5.25 billion, which put the value of CITGO’s 41.25% at the $2.2 billion mentioned earlier.
As part of the deal between CITGO and Lyondell, it was also agreed to cancel the contract for the supply of 230,000 b/d by Venezuela, which would have expired in 17 years time (2023), in order to sign another contract that expires in five years (2011), with no guarantee of renewal.
At first glance, this also looks reasonable. However, if analyzed more closely, it turns out to be precisely the opposite.
First, it does not make sense, strategically, for a company to abandon a position that is of key importance for its business. Since PDVSA was nationalized, the aim of its marketing managers has been to secure long-term markets for its oil, which is of low quality as it is heavier and has more impurities than crude being offered by the competition.
Now, with the new five-year contract, they are running the risk that Lyondell will look for another supplier in 2012, leaving PDVSA in the lurch.
So, with this sale, Venezuela could lose one of its main markets, as the Houston refinery takes 10% of Venezuelan crude exports.
Second, PDVSA’s president, Rafael Ramírez, has announced that the proceeds from the sale will be deposited in the National Development Fund (Fonden). In other words, those $1.3 billion will not be used to cover the investments that the industry so desperately needs to maintain and recovery its depleted production capacity. It is almost certain that these millions of dollars will end up disappearing (without anyone being accountable), frittered away on government propaganda spending.
From another point of view, however, this decision to get rid of a refinery in the United States fits in perfectly with President Hugo Chávez’ “strategic” plans of distancing himself from the “imperialist” bloc in order to seek new customers for Venezuelan oil, regardless of whether these new markets are profitable or not, owning to transportation costs, or guarantee regular payment.
Angel // November 13, 2006 at 4:27 pm |
What wil Hugo Chavez do now that his plan to leave Citgo stations high and dry is unfolding. Even the most disfunctional absentee owners who really don’t dirty their hands with the retail gas business and have been going to marlin tournaments and golfing at the country club, must hear about how sales are down for not only gas, but his big money makers, cigs, Coke, Pepsie, and beer.
Duane Garrett // November 16, 2006 at 2:52 pm |
ANNOUNCED JUST RECENTLY:
CITGO, BEING AWARE THAT SALES ARE DOWN DUE TO U.S.
(CUSTOMERS NOT WANTING TO BUY FROM “CHAVEZ”),
HAVE STARTED TO CHANGE THE NAME OF SOME OF THEIR STORES, TO: “PETRO EXPRESS”
DO NOT BUY FROM “PETRO EXPRESS”
“PETRO EXPRESS” IS ALSO 100% OWNED BY “CHAVEZ”
Mick // November 16, 2006 at 4:32 pm |
Duane,
I don’t believe that is true. Petro Express will no longer get the Citgo branded marketer discounts, credit card, or vendor services if they drop the Citgo brand. Who told you this? The only two Citgo brand names are Citgo and Mystic.
Douglas Brown // November 16, 2006 at 4:39 pm |
Duane Garret should check facts before posting rumors>
Petro Express is a North Carolina Domestic Corporation and is formerly named Piedmont Petroleum Properties, Inc.
See for yourself at the Secretary of State Website:
http://www.secretary.state.nc.us/corporations/Corp.aspx?PitemId=4979927
Then see the article below:
http://lighthousepatriotjournal.wordpress.com/2006/11/07/myth-blaster-petro-express-and-citgo/
Mick // November 16, 2006 at 6:44 pm |
Excellent feedback Douglas. Thanks. You are good. I believe the rumor was started by a PR firm hired by PDVSA or Citgo to try and confuse people about ownership and defuse the Citgo Boycott. I’ve seen false info like this on an Urban Legend site that seems to be owned and operated by the Democrat party or leftist activists. I’ve received some insults linked to that site.
Jim // November 18, 2006 at 8:17 pm |
Is anyone checking into Chavez’a oil price manipulation? WIth Citgo being 100 perecent owned by an enemy of the U.S. and a member of OPEC, how can they be allowed to manipulate prices on the market?
Look what happened to Enron when they were caught manimpulating prices. What kind of government do we have here in the United States? We go after our own companies rather than foreign Marxist companies?
Harlon Murray // November 20, 2006 at 12:48 pm |
The Naval Air Station located in Corpus Christi Texas has a Citgo service station on the installation. Why? Does the base commander actively support this enemy of the US and want to support this radical government.
Mick // November 20, 2006 at 5:29 pm |
Harlon, the independent station owner of the Citgo should be looking for a brand change. If he doesn’t, I guess he really does support the enemy of the U.S. The greedy bastard must be getting one helluva discount on Hugo Chavez gas. Any business looks at the positives and negatives in regard to their market.
writerchick // November 20, 2006 at 9:50 pm |
Great stuff, Mick. I am loving the dousing Chavez is getting. Like I said before, I live for the day he has to eat his own darn oil. The pig. I think the sulphur he was smelling was his own.
You are so amazing on this stuff.
WC
Mick // November 21, 2006 at 9:11 am |
Thanks WriterChick, Hugo “The Boss” Chavez must believe that the U.S. is as ignorant and uneducated as Venezuela and Cuba. You can’t blame him, he only talks to Democrat politicians and their followers in New York and Marxist dictators in the third world.
gledsinger // November 21, 2006 at 9:33 pm |
It works this way. If it doesn’t say Citgo on the signage, then it is NOT Citgo (Hugo Chavez) gas. Boycott Citgo as if it matters. Becuase it does.
Mick // November 26, 2006 at 9:01 pm |
News from Hugo Citgo Chavez!
Venezuela’s leftist President Hugo Chavez on Sunday promised hundreds of thousands of supporters he would win a resounding victory in his December 3 reelection bid he describes as a challenge to Washington.
The former leftist gorilla fighter and self-styled revolutionary is favored in the polls to beat rival Manuel Rosales after building a solid political base through a social development campaign financed by Citgo revenues.
Chavez supporters flooded Caracas thoroughfares waving flags and banners, congregating in different parts of the downtown a day after Rosales sympathizers held a similar march to close his campaign in the capital city.
“We are confronting the devil, and we will hit a home run off the devil next Sunday,” said Chavez, who ruffled feathers in October by calling President Bush the devil in remarks at the United Nations.
“On December 3rd we’re going to defeat the most powerful empire on earth by knockout,” Chavez said.
Donning red like most of his supporters, Chavez delivered a two-hour speech marked by his signature combination of fiery leftist rhetoric and crowd antics typical of pop music concerts.
He spent nearly ten minutes trying to see which of four groups of demonstrators could cheer louder — then told them all to be quiet.
“Whoever talks first will turn into a donkey,” he thundered, only to break into his unmistakable giggle.
Lee 1 // November 29, 2006 at 5:34 pm |
Here is a good link to oil companies and their linage.
Lee 1 // November 29, 2006 at 5:34 pm |
Sorry ’bout that.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_automotive_fuel_brands
Mick // November 29, 2006 at 10:30 pm |
Thank you. That is pretty clear Lee. But it doesn’t go into the deals Chavez has made with North Korea, Cuba and Iran.
Mick // December 2, 2006 at 10:50 pm |
This is from a Venezuelan for freedom: Hugo Chavez is a dictator ruining one of the most admired democracies in South America.
Ok, let me tell you like it is, as I have middle class family and friends linving in the hell hole Chavez has created.
1) 100% anarchy and insecurity in the street. Every second there is a “Secruestro Express” (Express Kidnap) against anyone who has a middle class look . 10% end up dead because thugs are so desperate and ignorant and amateur, that kidnapped people are accidentally or deliberately killed. Chavez is more preocupied with a global revolution by spending most oil money for Global propaganda than taking care of its own poor people. Case in point, all my family has been rob at gun point, of their car, their house savings, in their business store, etc. All my friends don’t go out past 6:00 PM . If you call this life, then be my guest and move down there with your family.
2) PDVSA, The Chaves controlled national oil company issued a memo that if you don’t vote for Chavez, you are fired. Real democracy here at work.
3) If you are not with Chavez, you get squat in Government benefits. They can tell who you voted for. There is no privacy, they will dig your records.
4) You can’t buy dollar currency to pay your parts or raw material. But you can buy it in the back door in the black market, sold by chavez supporters who has access to such “preferencial rate money”.
5)Every single mass project (Miciones) to help the poor is mismanaged to the point it costed many times more of its original budget, and is never finished, and organizers never get paid. More money dissapear during this “miciones” projects.
6) Attack to Venevision, Globovision media conglomerate to quiet the the truth on any case showing the government involment..
7) During last referendum
a) All people who were known to vote against him, all got sent to the other side of the country to vote, in a dangerous hood, requiring air plane or long distance drive to get to. Would you allow your son\daughter to go by themselves to vote in the middle of the night in the jungle, my brother in law did not allow any of his daughters to go, nor its father and grand parent”
b) Days before referendum, a last minute change of voting rule was decreed: Overseas Venezuelan who are illegal in such country can’t vote. Great Pro democratic move.
c) Millions got their voting rights denied at the poll. Why? The chavistas deleted all the oposition people from the pre registration voting system. “If you are not in the book you can’t vote” even if you have preregistration copy. Go figure that one.
d) More people turned up to the legal age of voting for Chavez than 20 years of demographic historical data can allow. Mmm, Massive amount of Chavez supportes got cloned in a matter of month to vote.Mmmmm. I wonder.
e) Millions of illegal immigrant got their Naturalization papers and their National Identification (Cedula) in a matter of days. Illegal chineses fresh from the boat, who can’t read spanish, voted for chavez. No, it was not a technological marvel that allowed them to learn all about the language and their new found country, and decide to conciously vote for Chavez in less than month. But it was a Computer Science stunt where the new nationalized immigrant’s “Yes for Chavez” name from the Database got pre imported and loaded into the CNE (electoral ministry) system wihtout needing a physical body to be present to vote. My friend Colombian girlfriend is a witness to that. She got her Venezuelan citizenship just by crossing the border from Colombia to Venezuela.
Invasion of private property is allowed and condoned. So if you have a house, and you don’t leave there as you are on vacation for a couple of years , don’t be suprised to see people in there wehn you come back, or your locked broken. This is great motivation for progress. I have no problem with giving farms to farmers, but it has to be done legally following fair rules and policys. Not blatant invasion, disregarding all kind of existing ownerships laws.
9) Private school, and Your children education will be pass to the estate responsibility (to be brainwashed with communism ideas, just like Fidel, Mao Tse Tung and the islamofacist teachings of hatred , of course) starting 2007.
I can report more, but you get the idea. Chavez will win no matter if he win or looses this December 3rd election. As he’ll be pulling more
rabbits out of the hat, and can tap and abuse the National Treasury for unlimited amount of oil money to win.
Benny
Mick // December 2, 2006 at 11:03 pm |
Here is another brave Venezuelan citizen journalist responding to an Islamic leftist who calls himself Quran Bible.
Mick // December 13, 2006 at 6:37 pm |
The Citgo Boycott is rolling! Florida will install signs to let toll road users know of alternatives to gas stations linked to socialist leader Hugo Chavez. …
The state of Florida will install signs along the Florida Turnpike informing motorists of alternative locations to purchase gas along the 312-mile route. The move is meant to discourage the use of Citgo gas which is a subsidiary of Petroleos de Venezuela S.A and under the control of Venezuela’s socialist leader, Hugo Chavez.
State Representative Adam Hasner (R-Delray Beach) had challenged the state Department of Transportation head Denver Stutler, Jr. to cancel its exclusive contract with Citgo which does not expire until 2008. The state entered contract with the company in 1994, five years before Chavez took power.
“We must send a clear message to Chavez, and the current government of Venezuela, that the state of Florida and are citizens will not support institutions that seek the destabilization of America and our institutions and freedoms,” Hasner wrote.
The state will also ensure motorists are not charged a toll to re-enter the Turnpike after purchasing gas.
(From http://www.thenewspaper.com/news/14/1463.asp)
Jimbo // December 17, 2006 at 5:41 pm |
Citgo restrooms are the worst of any chain in the USA. For that reason alone, let the Democrats shop at Citgo, the other 60 percent of the nation can get gas from anyone but Hugo Chavez.
Ryan Cramer // December 19, 2006 at 5:07 pm |
I find it very interesting that we (American Citizens) are so insensed that our very own President EGorge W. Bush was called ‘the Devil’ by some 2-bit dictator from Venezuela. I mean first of all, a large number of American Citizens are, themselves, calling him ‘the Devil’ or possibly worse. I’ve even heard him referred to as the Anti-Christ, he’s been called a murderer, a killer, a nazi, and a myriad of other things. Secondly, this Chavez, is, as previously stated, just a two-bit dictator of a practically insignificant country in South America. I mean, when was the last time anything Venezuelan has even been compared to anything that really matters on the World Stage. Certainly not their military, economic policies, or foreign affairs. Seriously, if it’s such a huge problem, why haven’t we just gone down there and stomped them out of existence. then the oil would be ours and we would have no worries about it anymore. Third, How do we know that Bush isn’t the Devil? I mean, I’m not particularly trained in identifying the Devil, and it is said that the Devil can take pretty much any form he wants, any time he wants and would try to present himself in a form that would affect a large number of people. It sounds like being the American President is the perfect place to put him, until America is no longer the World Super-Power. If I was the Devil, that’s where I would be. Just possess and control world leaders, moving from strength to strength until I had everything I wanted.
Ryan Cramer // December 19, 2006 at 5:09 pm |
ADDENDUM: I do not agree with the sentiments of Chavez, and I do thin it is fine to boycott Citgo, but I also think we need to take minute and look at we are complaining about.
Jack // December 19, 2006 at 5:43 pm |
how about a Marxist takeover of a democracy? Governments are to provide basic safety and laws, not take homes and businesses from the middle class and create a life-long dictator position for a fat pig.
StupidGuy // December 19, 2006 at 8:20 pm |
Boycott Citgo… GREAT IDEA !
Hell I try to boycott all gas stations run by people who seem to be only interested in selling beer and lotto tickets to the poor people and then sending the profits home to their mother land… somewhere in the middle east. I wish they would feel unwelcome and take their lame culture and go home. Buy gas from grocery stores still owned buy “Traditional” Americans, not the ones posing to be! If you can’t embrace our culture and become part of it… then leave, damn-it!
StupidGuy // December 19, 2006 at 8:21 pm |
Oh yeah… Merry Christmas !
Mick // December 19, 2006 at 9:26 pm |
Exactly Stupid Guy! I’ll bet Hillary Clinton wouldn’t like to hear your comments. Merry Christmas to all.
Democrat // December 21, 2006 at 4:47 pm |
What is with all the Democrat and liberal bashing? Why would Dems or leftist activist purposfully run a site to spread false rumors about the Petro brand?….that’s absurd! I suppose you are a conspiracy theorist as well? I say: Build a “Great Wall” across the Mexico boarder, stop translating federal documents into foreign languages, deport all who have entered and are staying here illegally. All Hail Americans!!!
– Merry Christmas to all!!
Mick // December 21, 2006 at 6:37 pm |
Democrat, you should stick around and read up. I don’t think the Democrats and liberal progressives would want you with those ideas.
Citgo and Mystic are the only names used to market gas for Hugo Chavez’s PDVSA. There are Democrat sites such as the about.com’s urban myth which is owned by The New York Times. They are 100 percent in the tank for the Democrat progressives. Shocked? We are catching on. We won’t let the USA turn into another France or worse, Venesuela. Merry Christmas! Peace be with you!
Barbara // December 22, 2006 at 7:05 pm |
Has anyone wondered why Petro Express, if they
sell their own brand of gasoline, is not listed on the web site of wikipedia.com? Or did I overlook it.
It appeared to be in order.
Mick // December 23, 2006 at 12:26 pm |
Barbara, I believe it is because Petro Express is a small company without PR hacks to spend time inputing stories into Wikipedia. While Citgo spends a lot on misinformation and propaganda and has several PR hacks writing for them World Workers socialist Web sites, news blogs and Wikipedia.
Mick // January 11, 2007 at 10:19 am |
January 8, 2007
Petro Express, Inc. and Carolina Petroleum Distributors of Charlotte, Inc. announce sale of companies to The Pantry, Inc.
Petro Express, Inc. and Carolina Petroleum Distributors of Charlotte, Inc. are pleased to announce that after months of negotiation they have signed a definitive agreement to sell all 66 convenience stores and the wholesale petroleum distribution business to The Pantry, Inc.
Vice President Thomas J. Hall said, “We’re excited to announce this deal with The Pantry. Over the past several months they’ve proven to us that they are one of the finest convenience store chains in the southeastern United States. We believe this sale offers great opportunities for the employees of our companies to further their careers with The Pantry. ” Mr. Hall added, “I regret that my cofounder and long time friend Dan Shaver (Mr. Shaver passed away on January 2, 2007) can’t share this moment with me. From our first meeting with representatives of The Pantry, Dan knew this was the right thing for us to do. He started the company with a vision of being ‘Simply the Best’ and the sale to The Pantry gave him comfort that his vision would continue.”
Petro Express and Carolina Petroleum are locally owned companies that started in Charlotte more than 20 years ago. Over the years the chain has become recognized as the regions market leader in the industry. Peter Sodini the Chairman and Chief Executive for The Pantry said, “This acquisition provides us with an excellent platform for future growth in one of the Southeast’s most fundamentally attractive metropolitan areas.” Mr. Sodini added, “The Petro Express stores are mostly large, state-of-the-art facilities that generate the highest average revenues of any acquisition in The Pantry’s history.”
The acquisition, which is subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions, is expected to close in April.
Mick // January 16, 2007 at 9:56 am |
If Citgo (Owned 100 percent by PDVSA and Hugo Chavez) lets the new owners of Petro Express buy Citgo gas at the discount they sell to all their other Citgo locations, then they risk losing the entire brand name and major breach of contract lawsuits from the remaining Citgo branded retail locations.
This shows how much the boycott is working. The selloff of Citgo began in spring of 2006. Yet, the corporate Web site hides all the cancellations. I wonder if they lost more than 3,000 Citgo retailers last year?
Rich McCann // January 17, 2007 at 2:17 pm |
Good for you……I wouldn’t buy a drop of Citgo gas. I would rather push my car to the next station or call AAA and have them deliver a gallon or two of gasoline to me and it better not be Citgo gas.
Mick // January 17, 2007 at 3:38 pm |
Thanks Rich, I actually worked for Citgo and quit with my wife’s 100 percent approval because, how can any American work for an enemy of our country? Well, Cindy Sheehan and Ted Kennedy could… that being said, would you work for a storefront for a Marxist monster?
Mick // January 26, 2007 at 1:19 pm |
On April 11, 2002, Chávez’s volunteer revolutionary thugs opened fire on the crowd, killing 17. When he ordered the military to do likewise, they refused, and Chávez was briefly removed from power. Following two days of struggle within the military, Chávez’s forces re-emerged in control, and a newly empowered Chávez began a swift and debilitating purge of PDVSA, forcing out 20,000 employees and replacing them with his “Bolivarian” henchmen. At the purge’s conclusion, PDVSA was crippled, corrupt, incompetent, and firmly under the control of President Hugo Chávez, revolutionary leader of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
Mick // January 29, 2007 at 10:34 am |
I know exactly what you are talking about. When I worked at Citgo, the company culture was amazing. The 5th floor in Houston is like a Ritz-Carlton, only bullet proof. All the executives are Venezuelan. The few Americans left at Citgo are several rungs (and floors) down in middle management. Ironically, in the lunch room, all TVs were set to Fox News. (The 5th floor Hugo Chavez executives rarely sat down there. So there were some big laughs from the Americans when Hugo Chavez appeared with his assorted Marxist sound bites.
But when the top executives did visit, the room of about 500 became much more quiet. The president, Felix Rodriguez, of Citgo speaks poor, broken English and has body guards with him even in his own building. The fence around the compound in West Houston is fortified, it’s said to be truck (or tank) proof.
They rent the building. But have more than doubled the value of the property with all the fortifications.
Mick // February 14, 2007 at 11:28 pm |
Citgo may be shut down. See my current post.
Mick // March 10, 2007 at 7:19 pm |
Read this story from a once loyal Citgo customer:
When I say my family was BRANDED Citgo, it is not an exaggeration. I worked as a clerk at a Citgo for over 4 years while getting my bachelors degree. I meet the woman who would become my wife as a fellow Citgo employee. Citgo was one of our first credit cards, everywhere would we go we looked for a Citgo to fill up with gas and buy snacks for the road. My family and I had used only Citgo gas exclusively for over a decade. The two closest convenience stores to my home are Citgos.
Since summer 2006, I have not purchased Citgo gas. Our Citgo credit card has been paid off, closed and cut up. It has been difficult. Sometimes I have to travel out of my way for fuel. I find it unfortunate local retailers who are associated with Citgo have also seen their business decline. I sometimes visit the convenience store were I worked years ago, and wish the best to the owners, but I will not purchase fuel from there. I think it would be a great show of resolve for Evan’s oil (our area’s Citgo distributor) to change their fuel brand. I think people would not only start back shopping at those stores, they would want to reward them for their stand, by shopping there primarily, if not exclusively.
Here is an article showing a local gas distributor considering changing from Citgo gas:
http://louisianaconservative.com/?p=41
Here is a much earlier article, please read and feel free to contact Evan’s Oil.
http://sadbastards.wordpress.com/2006/08/25/help-a-citgo-distributor-decide-what-to-do-with-hugos-citgo-gas/
If you are a fellow Citgo boycotter, you may want to stick your head in your local Citgo and let them know you are glad they may be switching. Let them know you look forward to returning to them after the switch. Let them know you will reward their switch, by not only returning, but by being a loyal customer.
_________________
“Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that’s even remotely true.” – Democratic Pundit Homer Simpson
Jack // March 10, 2007 at 8:55 pm |
That takes integrity, to quit a good paying position with a major fuel distributor. You are a great American.
merl // March 16, 2007 at 7:36 pm |
i got the petro express email from a conservative friend. of course i researched it and found its hoax basis. please, conservatives, stop taking your attitudes from bill, rush and anne and just present a reasoned argument as to why you and your other 6 republicans in the country still trust bush.
Mick // March 18, 2007 at 9:37 pm |
Abu Dhabi, July 2, 2000 (WAM)– President H.H. Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan has sent cables of congratulations to Presidents Bill Clinton of the United States and Hugo Chavez of Venezuela on the occasion of their countries’ national days.
Just a little reference material.
Angel // April 28, 2007 at 1:16 pm |
Next time you pass by a Citgo, if you see a customer, take notes on what kind of low class scum they are. That is the future that Chavez hopes to make for the US.
James // May 21, 2007 at 12:13 pm |
Get ready for unemployment Citgo employees,
President Hugo Chavez announced last week that Venezuela hopes to gradually sell off its refineries in the United States and build a new network of refineries in Latin America as part of a plan to offer his allies in the region a stable oil supply.
Mr. Chavez also raised the idea of issuing a regional bond to raise money for social spending as he hosted a summit of “the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas” (ALBA), a leftist bloc and trade group that includes Venezuela, Cuba, Bolivia and Nicaragua.
“I proposed that we issue an ALBA bond. I hope that we can do it. … And that we issue it here in Venezuela, as we did with Argentina, and bring in $1 billion,” said Mr. Chavez, addressing leaders April 29 on final day of their talks. The Venezuelan president said the money acquired would be put in a fund to provide credit for ALBA nations.
Mr. Chavez and other leaders signed accords for Venezuela to supply fuel under preferential terms and join other countries in cooperative projects on education, telecommunications, mining and other areas.
He said Venezuela will guarantee to supply 100 percent of the energy needs of ALBA members plus Haiti. ALBA was created in 2004 by Cuba and Venezuela as a counterproposal to U.S. backed free-trade plans.
Mr. Chavez said Venezuela eventually plans to help build a network of refineries in Nicaragua, Haiti, Ecuador, Bolivia and Dominica, and to refurbish Cuba’s Cienfuegos refinery, to provide a stable supply of oil — and the earnings it generates — to Latin American countries.
He noted that Venezuela’s Citgo Petroleum Corp. has seven refineries in the United States and said “part of our plans is to sell those refineries.”
Under special oil arrangements offered by Venezuela, ALBA member nations will be able to finance 50 percent of the bill for fuel through low-interest loans, and 25 percent of the total bill will go into a special “ALBA Fund” to support local projects using loans, he said.
Leaders attending included Haitian President Rene Preval, Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega, Bolivian President Evo Morales and Cuban Vice President Carlos Lage, as well as officials from Uruguay, Ecuador, Dominica, St. Kitts and Nevis, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Rusty Tate // July 12, 2007 at 7:49 pm |
The two local Petro stations are changing to Texaco and I will start using them again. I really hope this is working across America. We have plenty oil in the US and need to use some of it before there is an alternative fuel.
Vjkauero // July 19, 2007 at 9:04 pm |
digital camera digital camera
Myth Blaster - Petro Express and Citgo « Lighthouse Patriot Journal // August 14, 2007 at 10:37 am |
[...] has nothing on this subject at this posting, but End of Elite Media Empires and Rick’s Blog of Crappyness posted articles concerning this subject. According to Mick Gregory, [...]
Don // September 6, 2007 at 8:16 am |
Here’s a thought…everybody get a Citgo credit card and buy lots of Citgo gas and then forget to pay when the bill comes. Could this be a win-win scenario?
Mick // September 6, 2007 at 6:31 pm |
Don, sure, but don’t spend more than $25 on the card. Otherwise Citgo will fine you and raise your card interest rate to 33%. Eventually the amount you owe Citgo will be up to where it could hurt your credit rating.
I know of some Citgo protestors who are using their Citgo credit card to buy only gum, no gas. The billing process is more expensive to Citgo than the couple of cents they make off the gum.
Isabel // September 10, 2007 at 6:55 am |
You’ll want to amend your comment on Petro Express. Once Petro Express was purchased by The Pantry, it became owned by a company that buys 60% of its gasoline, and most of its “private label” (i.e. Petro Express) gasoline, from Citgo. See my comment (links to sources awaiting moderation) at http://lighthousepatriotjournal.wordpress.com/2006/11/07/myth-blaster-petro-express-and-citgo/#comment-44234
Xjsqiuon // October 30, 2007 at 6:03 am |
Why does America put up with pigs like Chavez? You are a country of fat, lazy, uneducated slobs.
Mick // November 8, 2007 at 9:21 pm |
Caracas – At least eight people were shot when gunmen opened fire on students peacefully demonstrating against President Hugo Chavez’s plan to amend the constitution, media reports said. The identities of the gunmen who shot Wednesday night at the protestors at the Central University of Venezuela in Caracas were not known, but the opposition accused Chavez’s government of being responsible for the attack.
Tens of thousands of students marched to the Supreme Court building Wednesday, calling for a delay of a December 2 referendum on the proposed constitutional changes. The gunfire came after the protest as the students returned to campus, the media reports said, citing emergency services.
The constitutional amendments sought by Chavez and passed by the legislature include abolishing presidential term limits and the autonomy of the central bank, reducing the power of state governments and declaring socialism as Venezuela’s official ideology.
A strong police presence at the Supreme Court presented clashes between the students and Chavez supporters.
Interior Minister Pedro Carreno accused the students of violence and seeking “the destabilization of democracy.”
Reported by several news services. Then changed on several including AP. Did you read this in your daily newspaper today?
But the story is not changing on blogs.
FrankAeuon // November 13, 2007 at 3:09 am |
Arsonists? Or just a boy with matches. You decide.
XeXAOuon // December 6, 2007 at 4:38 pm |
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Dan // June 9, 2009 at 5:24 pm |
What is this?
Dan // June 9, 2009 at 5:25 pm |
Is this FACT?
Jeffrey // June 28, 2009 at 9:23 pm |
The Hugo Chavez socialist government has lambasted the one remaining free channel in Venezuela for broadcasting comments by a journalist who said Chavez, a close ally of Cuba’s communist regime, would end his days like former Italian dictator Benito Mussolini, “hung with his head down.”