Venezuela's Troubles Put U.S. Heating Oil Charity in Limbo

Venezuela's economic turmoil has placed in limbo that country's participation in a free heating oil program run by a Massachusetts-based nonprofit that has helped hundreds of thousands of people, signaling that the program may be kaput. This marks the second consecutive winter that Venezuela's Citgo Petroleum Corp. has not contributed to the "Joe-4-Oil" program, part of the nonprofit Citizens Energy created by businessman and former Democratic Massachusetts Congressman Joseph P. Kennedy II. The decision by the subsidiary of the Venezuelan national oil company coincides with plummeting oil prices and corresponding economic problems in oil-rich Venezuela. Kennedy said hopes of a late contribution have faded with spring's arrival this week. "While this is not good news, it certainly isn't surprising," he told The Associated Press. Citgo officials declined to comment. The Citgo heating oil program was launched after Hurricane Katrina damaged U.S. refining capacity in 2005, causing energy costs to spike as winter approached. RELATED: Venezuela’s Socialist Leaders Seize Bakeries In ‘Bread War’ Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, the fiery leader who died in 2013, responded to an appeal from Kennedy to help out after criticizing then-Republican President George W. Bush for failing to do enough for the nation's poor. Over the years, the program has provided $500 million in heating assistance to 2 million program participants in 25 states and the District of Columbia, supplementing federal energy assistance. Rita Soucier, 80, said she and her husband received assistance many times over the years, helping the couple stay warm in their trailer in the town of Howland, Maine. This year, there was no help, said Soucier, whose husband, a paper mill worker, died last month. But she said she's grateful for past help, typically 100 gallons of heating oil. "It helps a lot when you're not the richest people in the world," said Soucier, who said her needs are few. "As long as I can get by, I don't want any more or any less," she said. Venezuela, which has the world's largest proven oil reserves, has been hurt by declining prices. The unraveling economy, cuts to social programs and growing political divisions have rocked the once-stable country, leading to food shortages and a dramatic drop in currency value. Citizens Energy continues to operate other programs. The nonprofit was created in 1979 to channel revenue from commercial enterprises to charitable programs. But the heating oil program may cease to exist. "Joe-4-Oil" did not run this year or last, and a message online said that applications for winter heating oil help were not being accepted. The nonprofit isn't giving up hope, however. The Citgo program was suspended in 2009, only to return a few months later. Citizens Energy continues to operate solar, wind and transmission projects that provide assistance including solar panels for low-income homes, energy grants for homeless shelters and natural gas subsidies for low-income households. "The good news is, Citizens Energy continues to grow and prosper and provide significant benefits to low-income people around our country as a result of businesses which provide the financial firepower to fulfill our mission," Kennedy said. Follow NBC News Latino on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

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