Venezuela reaching out: Venezuela giving Delaware River island to New Jersey

Editor's note: We are certain that the capitalist media will find something cynical to write about this gesture. The Venezuelan Government did not have to do this. The property has real value for Venezuela. The gift is unilateral with no strings attached. It's similar to the gesture Venezuela made in 2005 when they refurbished the Citgo sign, a Boston Landmark in Kenmore Square, near Boston Red Sox' Fenway stadium, very important to the people of Boston, at a cost of USD$1 million. At the time, Thomas Menino, mayor of the City of Boston, refused to attend the ceremony and simply say, "Thank you". It's a matter of simple civility. Apparently, it was not politically expedient for Menino to attend and express his appreciation.

- Les Blough in Venezuela

(CNN) — Venezuela will give a 300-acre island in the Delaware River to the state of New Jersey, the governor’s office has announced.

The Venezuelan-owned CITGO Petroleum Corp. had bought Petty’s Island

located between Camden, New Jersey, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
to use as a fuel storage facility.

The island is home to a pair of American bald eagles as well as several great blue herons and state-endangered black-crowned night herons, New Jersey Gov. Jon S. Corzine said in a news release Wednesday.

Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez announced the island’s transfer as part of Wednesday’s Earth Day celebrations. Plans are being finalized for the transition, which will not occur before 2020, Corzine’s office said.

Source: CNN