Federal Planning Minister, Julio De Vido said today the government "will repeat" the Sidor's Venezuelan nationalization administration during the Techint's company's nationalization in Venezuela, "always respecting the other states' decisions, but also protecting national interests."

Chavez's announcement of "nationalizing" three Argentine firms in Venezuela caused discomfort in Argentina's companies. Techint's Group Institutional Relations director, Luis Betnaza, asked for the President, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, "to get involved in the situation in order to protect the national companies rights."

On the other hand, the Economic General Confederation (CGE) described the nationalization of Techint's Argentine group as an "inappropriate action."

The head of the Civic and Social Accord, Elisa Carrió, said that the Venezuelan state takeover of iron companies that include Argentine capital was agree between former president Néstor Kirchner and Venezuela's President Hugo Chávez, adding that "this is the model which will be applied here" if the ruling party wins the June 28 midterm poll.

Amid mounting criticism from opposition candidates and business associations, the Argentine government will reportedly ask Venezuela as soon as tomorrow that Argentine interests be preserved and compensation be paid to the companies.

• Steel Union criticized Venezuela's nationalization plan