EXHIBIT 23.1



INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT


We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statement No.
333-3226 of CITGO Petroleum Corporation on Form S-3 of our report dated February
14, 2003, which expresses an unqualified opinion and includes an explanatory
paragraph describing the accounting for the merger of VPHI Midwest, Inc.,
appearing in this Annual Report on Form 10-K of CITGO Petroleum Corporation for
the year ended December 31, 2002.



DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Tulsa, Oklahoma
March 21, 2003