21.   A senior Venezuelan official said Monday that U.S. pressure on the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries to increase oil production is understandable.

22.   After the attack, Venezuelan officials said the army should be allowed to cross into Colombian territory to go after the attackers.

23.   After the video made news, Chavez denied knowing Serna, and Venezuelan officials pointed out that the Colombian government was responsible for mounting the security detail.

24.   Although the postponement uncovered what appears to be astonishing incompetence among electoral authorities, Venezuelan officials are hailing it as a triumph for democracy.

25.   Colombian and Venezuelan military officials previously accused a different rebel group, the National Liberation Army, or ELN, of hijacking the flight.

26.   Earlier in the day, Venezuelan officials told other OPEC delegates that they were unable to pledge to extend output cutbacks introduced in June because of upcoming presidential elections.

27.   International observers said that while both South American countries had experienced technical problems, Venezuelan officials had restored credibility by postponing the vote.

28.   The announcement followed discussions of the issue among Venezuelan officials and U.S. Associate Deputy Energy Secretary Kyle Simpson, when he visited this South American nation in early October.

29.   The company is talking with Venezuelan officials about expanding Cerro Negro and building petrochemical and liquid natural gas facilities, Ward said.

30.   The consortium informed Venezuelan officials of the problem five minutes before the auction was scheduled to start.