7-Eleven dropping Venezuela-backed Citgo as gasoline supplier

"Citgo Petroleum is a Houston-based subsidiary of Venezuela's state-run oil company and 7-Eleven is worried that anti-American comments made by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez might prompt motorists to fill-up elsewhere.

Chavez has called President Bush the devil and an alcoholic. The U.S. government has warned that Chavez is a destabilizing force in Latin America.

'Regardless of politics, we sympathize with many Americans' concern over derogatory comments about our country and its leadership recently made by Venezuela's president,' said 7-Eleven spokeswoman Margaret Chabris.

'Certainly Chavez's position and statements over the past year or so didn't tempt us to stay with Citgo,' she added."

USATODAY.com - 7-Eleven dropping Venezuela-backed Citgo as gasoline supplier