UPSC Prelims 2009 · General Studies
Question 27: International Relations and Current Affairs
Other than Venezuela, which one among the following from South America is a member of OPEC ?
AnswerThe answer is (c).
Ecuador is the South American country besides Venezuela that belonged to OPEC at the time of the exam. It joined in 1973, left in 1992 and rejoined in 2007. Argentina, Brazil and Bolivia have never been OPEC members, although Brazil and Argentina have significant oil production and Bolivia has natural gas.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Argentina has never been an OPEC member.
- (b) Brazil is a large oil producer but not an OPEC member.
- (c) Right: Ecuador was an OPEC member alongside Venezuela.
- (d) Bolivia is a natural gas exporter and not an OPEC member.
Worth knowing: Ecuador left OPEC at the start of 2020, so today Venezuela is the only South American member and the question has no right option.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2009, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.