Caracas, 3 de octubre de 2003 - Offnews.info

37American states may have to offer an alternative candidate, possibly CostaRica.A failed Venezuela bid would be a setback for Mr Chavez who spentmonths traveling the world lobbying for support often lavishing countrieswith aid.Some diplomats said he had erred with his less-than-diplomatic address tothe Assembly last month when he branded President George Bush the"devil".By contrast, it would represent a signal victory for the US, which had madeno secret of its opposition to Venezuela's bid. After 10 rounds, Guatemalahad sup-port from 110 countries against 77 for Venezuela. "There is a clearpreponderance for Guatemala," claimed US Ambassador John Bolton "Thisreminds me of Florida in 2000, votes go up and votes go down."Mr Chavez, who faces reelection in December, is likely to come underdomestic criticism for squandering money on the Council bid.Venezuela would have held the seat for two years and Mr Chavez hadvowed to use it to frustrate the US in the chamber.Elected without contest to represent other regions yesterday were Italy,Belgium, South Africa and Indonesia.Venezuela's PDVSA to upgrade refineries' power system: reportVenezuelan state oil company PDVSA has set aside $1 billion to improvethe electric system that feeds its refineries after a series of refineryshutdowns due to power problems, Caracas daily El Universal reportedSaturday.The company will use the funds to acquire new equipment to improveelectricity infrastructure, especially in Zulia and Anzoategui states, the dailycited company president Rafael Ramirez as saying.