Jorda, Contreras address CITGO branded-marketer concerns.(Carlos Jorda of CITGO Petroleum...

Venezuela -- CITGO Petroleum Corporation Chairman of the Board Carlos Jorda told branded marketers attending the 2000 CITGO Presidents Meeting that CITGO will play an ever-increasing role in Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A.'s future as a result of a recently completed "internationalization" study.

"In fact," Jorda said, "it is likely that we will expand our refining capacity and markets and are strongly considering placing CITGO at the core of our international organization. Most importantly for our branded marketers, this will require that we refine and enhance our U.S. m