American studies. "But conditions in Cuba would become very precarious," he added. Amid concerns that a close result -- especially a defeat for Chavez -- could trigger instability in the world's fifth largest oil exporter, the Venezuelan government has said it will guarantee oil exports and prevent unrest no matter who wins on Sunday. Since Chavez was elected in 1998, Venezuela has become Cuba's main beneficiary. Under an agreement signed in 2000, Venezuela supplies Cuba with 53,000 barrels a day of crude oil and refined products, including gasoline, diesel and aviation fuel. That covers much of Cuba's $1 billion a year oil bill, which could rise steeply if the island is obliged to buy oil on the spot market, experts said. --MORE 2305 Local Time 2005 GMT
