Critics also say the firings cost the company crucial expertise and manpower, though Chavez insists they helped cut costs and trim a bloated bureaucracy.
Chavez claims Venezuela is pumping more than 3 million barrels a day, equal to the amount produced before the strike.
Oil industry insiders disagree, placing output at 2.5 million to 2.6 million barrels per day. Production will not fully recover without a massive investment, they say.
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