1


                                                                    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 13, 1998, appearing in this Annual Report on Form 10-K of CITGO
Petroleum Corporation for the year ended December 31, 1997.


DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP



Tulsa, Oklahoma
March 26, 1998