Venezuelan Heating Aid to U.S. Poor Restored

Russia's Desperation

Oil-producing countries, such as Russia and Venezuela, are "extremely desperate" to prop up the price of oil, Flynn said.

Russia recently cut off a key natural gas pipeline to Ukraine, which is also affecting the supply to Bulgaria, Turkey, Greece and Macedonia.

"This conflict between the Ukraine and Russia is because prices are low. In the past, when Russia cut off supplies to the Ukraine, it was more politically motivated," Flynn said. "But I don't think that's what it's about this time. Russia is cutting off supplies because they want to create a crisis because they need the money."

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Flynn said Venezuela halting its free heating oil program and Russia shutting down the pipeline are two separate situations with the same back story. "The price of oil has gone down and they're desperate."

JOE-4-OIL

In the United States, there would be a real impact for many poor Americans: They could have lost 100 free gallons of oil that Chavez has sent their way the last three winters.

The free oil from Citgo was distributed through Citizens Energy, a nonprofit run by Joe Kennedy, son of late Sen. Robert F. Kennedy. Citgo donated $100 million worth of heating oil last year, according to Citizens Energy. That accounted for the vast majority of the group's funding.

Kennedy is the figurehead of the group and publicized the program in TV commercials where he told poor Americans to call 1-877-JOE-4-OIL.

"I'm Joe Kennedy. Help is on the way," he said in one ad. "Heating oil at 40 percent off from our friends in Venezuela and Citgo."

In another ad, Kennedy said: "Our own government cut fuel assistance and the big oil companies -- with oil and money to burn -- all said no when we asked for help. All but one, Citgo owned by the people of Venezuela …"

It was Kennedy who on Monday had announced the end of the program at a news conference.

Because of falling oil prices, Kennedy said, the assistance program "has been suspended until further notice. It remains unclear how long this postponement, if it is one, will last."

Kennedy, through his spokesman, declined a request by ABC News for an interview Tuesday.

But in a statement, Kennedy said that he has repeatedly reached out to Venezuelan government officials "at the highest levels" including Chavez.

"I will continue to fight and advocate for a continuation of this critical assistance for our most vulnerable citizens," he said.

The program provided oil to about 200,000 eligible families in 23 states as well as grants to American Indian tribes to help pay for oil.