41.   Washington and Caracas cooperate closely on anti-narcotics efforts, and the United States is the biggest importer of Venezuelan oil.

42.   Venezuelan oil unions on Monday canceled a strike planned for Tuesday after the government agreed to discuss their grievances.

43.   Perez Recao, a scion of a prominent Venezuelan oil family, has fled Caracas with his private jet and his bodyguards.

44.   Prices garnered some support from concerns that Venezuelan oil supplies would be hindered by a general strike which Energy Minister Alvaro Silva admitted had caused some stoppages.