MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Five cents per litre gasoline in Venezuela.

Smuggled Venezuelan gasoline fuels much of Colombia's needs particularly along the common border, claimed this week Venezuela's Energy Minister Rafael Ramirez.

However he admitted the issue is under discussion with Colombian authorities.

A litre of top gasoline sells for the equivalent of US 5 cents in Venezuela and for almost a dollar in Colombia.

"It is said that the problem is with small operators, but that isn't true: it's mainly the big mafias operating on the Colombian side of the border" insisted Minister Rafael Martínez, admitting that "in some cases" Venezuelans are also involved.

According to Caracas press reports even staff from the Venezuelan Energy Ministry "has been accused of aiding gasoline smugglers".

"We're working hard with investigations, police operations and drafting legislation to eliminate the smuggling" added Mr. Ramírez.

The Venezuelan minister revealed that a delegation from the Colombian oil company Ecopetrol is currently negotiating an agreement for the legal distribution of Venezuelan gasoline in Colombia.

But analysts are sceptical, "the difference is too big and the temptation similarly great; until Venezuela adjusts fuel prices it's hard to see how the smuggling can be stopped".