(Venezuelanalysis.com) - "Venezuela's Defense Minister, General Raúl Baduel said that Venezuela would strengthen national security, in reaction to a recent alleged threat from the terrorist group Al Qaeda, which said that it would target major U.S. oil suppliers. Some officials, though, both in the U.S. and in Venezuela, expressed skepticism about the threat.

Baduel warned, though, that the issue must be 'treated with much care because it can also generate some disquiet in the population.' While the situation should not be dismissed, it should also not be 'overestimated,' said Baduel. The Chávez government would be alert and 'take action and adopt security plans that have previously been established.'

The threat to attack Canadian, Mexican, and Venezuelan oil installations was posted on the internet by a Saudi Arabian group that is said to be affiliated with Al Qaeda. AP reported that the statement said, 'Cutting oil supplies to the United States, or at least curtailing it, would contribute to the ending of the American occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan.'

The statement went on to say, 'In the long run, America might be able to lessen its dependence on Middle East oil and would be satisfied with oil from Canada, Mexico, Venezuela and other new customers or double its dependence on alternative energy resources; therefore, oil interests in all regions that serve the U.S. and not only in the Middle East, should be attacked.' (...)"