Venezuelan-owned big oil franchise Citgo flew flags at half staff outside of its offices in Texas and Louisiana Wednesday to mourn the death of Hugo Chavez.
Citgo confirmed with KHOU 11 News in Houston that its flags, including the American flag and Texas flag, would be lowered for the late president.
Citgo released a statement on death of Chavez on Tuesday.
“President Hugo Chávez of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela leaves behind a legacy of support for the underprivileged and promotion of social justice that transcends geographical boundaries,” the statement read. “We at Citgo Petroleum Corporation are deeply saddened by the news of his passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and the people of Venezuela in this time of grief.”
The Venezuelan president died Tuesday from cancer at age 58. His funeral will be held Friday in Caracas in an event that promises to draw leaders from all over Latin America and the world.
Several residents near Citgo facilities in Houston and Louisiana told FoxNews.com that the site of American flags flying half staff for Chavez was jarring.
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The flags at the Citgo refinery in Lake Charles, La. had apparently been raised back by noon.
"I think I used a profanity when I saw it this morning, I was disgusted," Terry Backhaus, a financial adviser in Louisiana, told FoxNews.
"I didn't believe it to be right, not for somebody who wasn't a true American ally."