Venezuela minister ready to halt oil exports-paper

CARACAS Feb 12 (Reuters) - Venezuela is "ready" to cut off oil supplies to the United States, Energy Minister Rafael Ramirez was reported as saying in a newspaper interview published on Tuesday.

His comments came after President Hugo Chavez threatened to stop sending oil to America over a dispute with Exxon Mobil Corp (XOM.N), sparking an oil price rally on Monday. (Reporting by Fabian Andres Cambero)