Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said on Sunday that he is ready to halt oil sales to the United States if an "economic war" is declared against his country.
"If you freeze them (the funds) and it hurts us, we are going to hurt you. Do you know how? We will not send any more petroleum to the United States. Take notes, Mr. Bush, Mr. Danger," Chavez said in his weekly television and radio show, "Alo Presidente."
The president's remarks came after U.S. oil company Exxon Mobilwon court orders freezing up to 12 billion U.S. dollars of Venezuela's energy assets, as part of a case launched by Exxon seeking compensation for the nationalization of its assets by the country.
Chavez called the clash with Exxon Mobil "the tip of an iceberg that is economic war."
Should the economic war break out, oil prices would reach 200 dollars a barrel, he said.
"And more than one other nation is willing to take our side in this economic war. You will not frighten or dissuade us," Chavez said, adding that Exxon Mobil was "a spearhead for imperialism."
He said the company was part of a group that backed the invasion of Iraq and continued to support a genocide there.
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