Venezuela pledges to defend homeland after US oil tanker blockade
Speaking Wednesday on state television channel, Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez said the nation’s armed forces would safeguard Venezuela’s rights in its airspace and territorial waters while avoiding provocation. “I am referring to the country in North America and to its president: we will defend the integrity of the homeland at any cost,” he said.
Padrino Lopez condemned the US action as a violation of international law, describing it as a clear breach of the UN Charter. “For this reason, these actions amount to an open act of aggression, and we are declaring this to the entire world,” he said. He added that multilateral organizations must respond to what he called a “belligerent stance” that threatens not only Venezuela but also regional stability in Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as global energy security.
Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez reinforced the message on social media, declaring that no foreign power would be allowed to take Venezuelan oil. “We will continue to be free and independent in our energy relations. Together with President Nicolas Maduro, we will continue to defend the homeland,” she said, emphasizing that the nation’s oil belongs to its people.
The US move follows President Donald Trump’s announcement on Tuesday ordering a “total and complete blockade” of all sanctioned Venezuelan oil tankers. Venezuela has accused Washington of “piracy” after the seizure of a Venezuelan tanker on December 10 off its coast and has formally raised the issue with the UN Security Council, according to reports.
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