CITGO PRESIDENT ELECTED TO MDA NATIONAL LEADERSHIP

TUCSON, Ariz., Dec. 12, 2000 - Oswaldo Contreras, president of CITGO Petroleum Corp., has been elected to the national voluntary leadership of the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Contreras, of Tulsa, Okla., was elected to a one-year term as a national vice president of the voluntary health organization during a meeting of MDA's Board of Directors Thursday in Key Biscayne, Fla.

MDA vice presidents provide counsel in their areas of expertise and assist the Association through advocacy and staunch support of its lifesaving programs and activities.

Contreras was recently named to CITGO's top position after serving as vice president for human resources and shared services at Petroleos de Venezuela S.A. (PDVSA) in Caracas, Venezuela. PDVSA is CITGO's parent company, and the national oil company of the Republic of Venezuela. CITGO is a leading MDA national sponsor.

"MDA is very grateful to outstanding volunteers like Oswaldo Contreras for their leadership and dedication," MDA Senior Vice President and Executive Director Robert Ross said. "His commitment to the battle against neuromuscular diseases will help vitally in propelling our progress toward treatments and cures."

MDA is the nonprofit health agency dedicated to curing muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases by funding worldwide research.  The Association also provides comprehensive health care and support services, advocacy and education. MDA maintains clinics at Children's Medical Center and Tulsa Regional Medical Center in Tulsa.