Chavez threatens to cut off U.S. oil in Colombia dispute

CARACAS, July 25 (Xinhua) -- Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez threatened on Sunday to cut off oil supplies to the United States if his country is attacked by U.S.-backed Colombia in a dispute over allegations that Venezuela provides a haven for Colombian guerrillas.

"If there is any armed aggression against Venezuela from Colombian territory or anywhere else supported by the Yankee empire, we would suspend shipments of oil to the United States," Chavez told thousands of supporters in an outdoor speech.

"We would not send another drop of oil to its refineries, not a single drop more," he added.

If actually carried out, such a threat would be a big blow for the Venezuela economy. More than 90 percent of its export earnings are from oil. The United States is the top buyer of oil from Venezuela, which is one of the U.S. main oil suppliers.

Venezuela ruptured its diplomatic ties with Colombia Thursday after Bogota presented to the Organization of American States (OAS) accusations about the alleged presence of Colombian guerilla chiefs in Venezuela's territory.

Chavez also called a stronger Colombia-U.S. military relationship a threat to his country. Colomibia said earlier this month that the United States would use three bases in Colombia to fight drug trafficking.

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