Controversial Gift Brings Heat to Alaska

Some residents in rural Alaska are enjoying their gift from Citgo — free gallons of needed heating oil — and it matters little who owns the company.

As part of a program to donate heating fuel to poor Americans, Citgo, headquartered in Houston, decided to give away 1 million gallons of heating fuel in Alaska native villages. More than 11,000 homes are eligible for 100 gallons each.

However, the $5.2 million gift drew a hail of criticism from people around the country because Venezuela owns Citgo, the Anchorage Daily News said. President Hugo Chavez has taken a combative attitude toward U.S. policy, calling President Bush the devil in a U.N. speech.

A few villages passed but 150 others took advantage of the offer and some started getting their vouchers last month.

Devil, angel, whoever gave it to us, we’re grateful, said Jennifer Apataki, who lives in Gambell, a Yup’ik village of 660 on St. Lawrence Island.