Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez says problems with oil production in the western part of the country, including possible sabotage, have led to a drop in output of 100,000 barrels a day.
President Chavez said Tuesday officials have recovered about 100,000 barrels a day in the last three months, but are still 100,000 barrels a day below the production estimate in the budget.
He said Venezuela's state-owned oil company is working to increase production.
Venezuela is one of the world's largest oil exporters and a major supplier to the United States.
Some information for this report provided by AP and Reuters.
