The Curious Case Of Hugo Chávez And The Island Off New Jersey

Ceremony transferring Petty's Island from Venezuela's Citgo to Trenton scrubbed

Thursday, April 23, 2009
BY BRIAN T. MURRAY AND JOSH MARGOLIN
Star-Ledger Staff

Venezuela president Hugo Chávez cast his shadow over what was to be a ceremonial transfer yesterday of Petty's Island to New Jersey for use as a wildlife preserve.

Citgo Petroleum, the Venezuelan-owned oil firm that owns the island in the Delaware River, offered to give the island to New Jersey years ago and struck the final deal with the state in January. Citgo officials had scheduled an exchange yesterday of the final papers with Gov. Jon Corzine for the 392-acre island, sending out e-mail alerts about the event.

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