Chavez halts Venezuelan asphalt exports

Chavez halts Venezuelan asphalt exports Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez Sunday summarily halted all exports of asphalt from his country, saying the materials should be used to repair roads in Venezuela.
   The move will have some impact on international asphalt markets. According to a report by Reuters, Venezuelan Energy Minister Rafael Ramirez estimates his country exports 17,000 barrels per day, which is more than half of the country's 27,000-barrel-per-day production level.
   Chavez and Ramirez were appearing on the regular Sunday television program Alo Presidente. The subject of citizen complaints about the condition of highways in the Venezuelan interior came up, and Chavez told the energy minister: 'Let's stop the exports of asphalt,' the report said.
   Chavez also ordered the suspension of tolls on all roads that are not main highways with an alternate route.