The government says, it was not asked by the United States to buy back Venezuela’s 49 % stake in the state owned oil refinery Petrojam.

Energy Minister, Dr. Andrew Wheatley, says the move was strategic and aimed at safe guarding the country’s energy security.

He adds it was also in response to the urgent need to upgrade the refinery, which was not done under two agreements with the Venezuelans.

Dr. Wheatley this afternoon (Mar 27) gave an update to parliament, on the official offer made by the government to the Venezuelan authorities, last Thursday.

Opposition MP Lisa Hanna, questioned the Energy Minister about any involvement of the US in the issue of the buy back.

Miss Hanna also asked, if Jamaica’s relationship and trade with the US would be affected, if there was no progress on the deal being sought with the South American country.

Dr. Wheatley said he was not in a position to speak on behalf of the US government.

She pressed further with the question.