Alaska's native peoples are feeling already the winter in their wood houses. Most of the residents are poor and cannot afford to pay high prices of heating oil.

However, some of them are reluctant to accept free fuel from Venezuela based on the patriotic principle that no foreigner has the right to call US President George W. Bush "the devil," as Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez did it, AP reported.

State-run oil holding Petróleos de Venezuela (Pdvsa) offers heating oil. Dozen indigenous peoples and Eskimos in Alaska argue that they do have no choice, but accept it. Others, however, would rather suffer.

"As citizens of this country, everyone may have his own opinion on our President and the country. But I do not want a foreigner to come here and insult us," Justine Gunderson, manager of the tribal council of Aleut in Nelson Lagoon, said.

"No matter if we are in need, this was the right decision," he added.