UPDATE 2-Venezuela to suffer little from US woes -minister

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CARACAS, Jan 24 (Reuters) - Problems in the U.S. economy will not hurt Venezuela in the short-term but could lower prices of the OPEC nation's vital oil exports, Venezuelan Economy Minister Rafael Isea said on Thursday.

"We do not see an immediate or severe impact on the Venezuelan economy with respect to the slowdown and recession that is appearing in the United States," Isea told reporters.

He said a U.S. economic downturn could indirectly affect Venezuela by lowering the demand for crude oil, but said this would not have a large effect on the prices of Venezuela crude oil.

"Oil prices will adjust, we do not believe that adjustment will be severe because there are economies that continue to maintain (growth)" such as India and China, Isea said.

He added that Venezuela has diversified its exports toward Europe and Asia, which would provide additional protection from a possible U.S. recession.

Fears of a recession in the United States have rocked global markets this week and helped push oil prices below $90 per barrel after breaking triple digits this month. (Reporting by Deisy Buitrago, Writing by Brian Ellsworth, Editing by Leslie Adler)