Venezuela Vows to Protect Its Sovereignty "At Any Cost"
In remarks broadcast on a state television channel Wednesday, Padrino Lopez pledged that Venezuela's armed forces would safeguard the country's rights across its airspace and maritime zones while avoiding provocative responses.
"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.
The defense chief characterized the tanker blockade as a blatant breach of United Nations Charter provisions.
"For this reason, these actions amount to an open act of aggression, and we are declaring this to the entire world," he said.
"Multilateral international organizations must reflect and take action in the face of this irrational, belligerent stance, which puts not only Venezuela but the entire Latin American and Caribbean region and global energy stability at risk," he added.
Venezuelan Oil Belongs to Venezuelan People, Says Vice President
Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez reinforced the government's position through social media, rejecting any foreign claims to the nation's petroleum resources.
She stressed Venezuela's oil reserves remain the property of its citizens.
"We will continue to be free and independent in our energy relations. Together with President Nicolas Maduro, we will continue to defend the homeland."
Tuesday saw Trump announce he was implementing a "total and complete blockade" targeting all sanctioned oil tankers moving to or from Venezuela.
Caracas accused Washington of maritime theft after Venezuelan authorities reported a national oil tanker was intercepted December 10 near the country's coastline. Venezuela subsequently filed a formal complaint with the UN Security Council regarding what it termed "piracy."
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