7-11 Says adios to Citgo and Hugo Chavez … Revenge of the Slurpee

In the wake of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez’s derogatory comments toward President George W. Bush, 7–11 tells Citgo to hit the road. Citgo Petroleum Corp is a Houston-based subsidiary of Venezuela’s state-run oil company. Obviously 7–11 feared the negativity and a backlash due to the irresponsible and childish comments of Chavez. So Hugo, before you are kicked to the curb, how about one last slurpee for the road?

DALLAS – 7-Eleven Inc. dropped Venezuela-owned Citgo as its gasoline supplier after more than 20 years as part of a previously announced plan by the convenience store operator to launch its own brand of fuel.  ”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.

Instead, 7-Eleven, which sells gasoline at 2,100 of its 5,300 U.S. stores, will now purchase fuel from several distributors, including Tower Energy Group of Torrance, Calif., Sinclair Oil of Salt Lake City, and Houston-based Frontier Oil Corp. (AP via Yahoo News)

Looks like Debbie Schlussel is giving 7–11, a 21 Slurpee salute … Slurp It: 7-Eleven Dumps Chavez’s CITGO. We certainly agree.

More on the mounting Citgo boycott from The Dread Pundit Bluto … “Citgo Boycott Gaining Strength” and from Rusty at My Pet Jawa … “Nonetheless, not buying gas with the Citgo brand on it is seen as an important symbolic gesture by many Americans.”

Although 7–11 denies that the move is tied to Chavez’s comments, the timing of the action certainly gives the appearance.