VHeadline.com Reporters: President Hugo Chavez is backing Venezuela's Energy Minister Rafael Ramirez despite repeated opposition criticism of his management of the nation's oil industry, Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) and a current scarcity in oil drilling rigs.

"We have a tremendous colleague at the head of PDVSA and I call for support for him ... carry on Rafael, you are a revolutionary.  I know what is behind the attacks to get me to get rid of him, because of power struggles."

Ramirez has led Chavez' drive to take control of the nation's oil industry, but recently, Ramirez has come under increased pressure with local (opposition) media speculation that President Chavez would kick him out of the top job.

• Last week, Ramirez said Venezuela needs to address an "operational emergency" and to acquire more rigs otherwise national output could quickly drop.

Rebel (opposition) workers who lost their jobs as the result of an illegal December 2002 walkout, have blasted Ramirez' crisis management and some legislators have even alleged corruption in the awarding of some contracts.

Chavez has applauded Ramirez as the man who coined his main re-election campaign slogan last year although Ramirez has been penalized for what was claimed to be overt politicization of the state company in declaring its workers to "red, really red" with reference to Chavez' political colors.

Chavez dedicated his Alo President program this weekend to showing why he believes Venezuela's oil industry is stronger after recouping national control of the industry earlier this year despite industry analyst worries that the move would reduce output as the major oil supplier to the United States.

PDVSA highlighted new projects ... plans to build a new upgrader complex to turn Orinoco heavy crude into lighter oil and, as early as next month, to explore for off-shore energy resources.