Banco de Venezuela 's Spanish owner asked for permission to sell , Chavez says . In a written statement issued Friday , Banco de Santander said it had planned to sell the bank to a Venezuelan private investors group , but `` found afterward that the Venezuelan government was interested in [ acquiring ] Banco de Venezuela , and conversations are under way to that effect . '' Comment: Bank now will be `` at the service of Venezuela , '' Chavez says .
Banco de Venezuela 's Spanish owner asked for permission to sell , Chavez says . Comment: Bank now will be `` at the service of Venezuela , '' Chavez says .