* President Hugo Chávez urged cattle-raisers to "hold their ambitions," and warned that any slaughterhouses hindering beef supply should get ready because "they are very likely to be transferred to community councils."

* According to the Venezuelan ruler, there is "an imperialist plan targeting (Venezuelan) economy. He was replying to US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's remarks that the Venezuelan Government was destroying its own economy.

* Chávez confirmed that Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega is visiting Venezuela on February 24th, and announced that the rulers of Vietnam and Belarus are visiting heavy-crude oil Orinoco strip soon.

* He stated that normal supply of some commodities has resumed progressively, while conceding that there are still some problems.

* Chávez reminded that his government is about to start construction of three genetic research laboratories in Venezuelan Andean states to improve cattle-raising.