Venezuela receives award

by Daniel Cancel
The Venezuelan government was awarded an international award Wednesday by the Rochester Committee for Latin America in the Northern city situated in New York State, reported Union Radio. The award, called the ´White Dove Award´ recognizes the government’s humanitarian support to the poor communities of the United States, which amongst other things includes the supplying of cheap gas to heat homes during the winter months.

The ceremony was at-tended by around 200 people, and the Consul General, Leonor Osorio, accepted the award in the name of the Venezuelan government and people. Osorio explained that the award was extremely important and showed the “recognition of President Hugo Chávez’ solidarity and hard work.”

He continued by re-minding those in attendance of the “constant and unconditional” help to the people of the US, especially after the hurricanes Katrina and Rita in late 2005. The state oil company PDVSA, through their US supplier, CITGO has offered cheap gas to seven different North-eastern states so far.

Although the supplying of cheap gas to poor communities in the US has been widely praised, critics say that the move is an attempt to make political gains by providing a service which the US government seems to neglect. Other critical voices have expressed the opinion that the money and gas used for the project should first be concentrated on national projects inside Venezuela.

The Rochester Committee for Latin America (ROCLA) is an independent organization, which for the last few years has given the award as recognition of personalities and institutions who improve the quality of life in the US.