Open Pantry will continue to honor their CITGO contract, per President and Chief Executive Officer of Open Pantry Food Marts, Robert A. Buhler.  Certainly, the bizarre statements being made by Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez are concerning, however, Open Pantry has worked with CITGO in the United States for 25 years.  As a long term partner we will honor our contracts supporting CITGO's U.S. Executives and employees.

Some of Wisconsin media recently associated Open Pantry with the announcement by 7-Eleven to discontinue their CITGO relationship.  This press release is to set clear Open Pantry's current contractual obligation, and continued presence in the market with the U.S. CITGO commitment.

"Oil and politics often times create an explosive discussion"...states Buhler.  "Hugo Chavez' remarks are not warranted and we in no way support his reasons for those remarks.  The hard-working CITGO people in the United States daily deliver product on a professional and continual basis for our customer base, extremely well.  These people I care about and choose to call my partners.  All politics should be put aside on this issue and frankly are purposely contorted and impractical to the true delivery of fuel in the United States by CITGO".