Brisbane targetts ExxonMobil

Issue 

Twenty protesters staged a late afternoon rally on Friday 29 February against ExxonMobil's new attack on Venezuelan sovereignty, outside the Treasury Casino.

The focus was on spreading information on this corporate predator's activities, which the monopoly media suppresses; highlighting British, US and Dutch court orders freezing the assets of Venezuela's state oil company, PDVSA, in an attempt to undermine to Venezuela's popular social programs.

Speakers highlighted ExxonMobil's history of support for brutal regimes in oil-rich countries, dating from its incarnation as the Rockefeller-owned Standard Oil of New Jersey. In the 1940s Chilean Nobel laureate Pablo Neruda wrote a poem on the company, in which he satirised Standard Oil's arrival in Latin America "with their signs and boots, their cheques and guns, their governments and their prisoners".

In 1979 David Rockefeller congratulated the fascist Argentine dictator Videla for "controlling terrorism and strengthening the economy".

In Venezuela, President Hugo Chavez's government has come to an agreement with other corporations with investments in the Orinoco belt to grant PDVSA a controlling interest in all projects — as dictated by the Chavez's May 2007 nationalisation decree. ConocoPhilips joined ExxonMobil in refusing Venezuela's offer to stay as a minority partner in its ventures, but says it is in "amicable" negotiations with Venezuela over compensation for the takeover.

ExxonMobil, has launched a legal attack on Venezuela, securing the freezing of more than US$12 billion in PDVSA's foreign assets. Its agenda remains Standard Oil's historical one: overthrow democracy at any price to "strengthen the economy".

If you like our work, become a supporter

Green Left is a vital social-change project and aims to make all content available online, without paywalls. With no corporate sponsors or advertising, we rely on support and donations from readers like you.

For just $5 per month get the Green Left digital edition in your inbox each week. For $10 per month get the above and the print edition delivered to your door. You can also add a donation to your support by choosing the solidarity option of $20 per month.

Freecall now on 1800 634 206 or follow the support link below to make a secure supporter payment or donation online.