Caracas: Venezuela's Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez has declared that the nation will defend its sovereignty 'at any cost' in reaction to a United States government decision to block all oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela. Speaking on state television channel VTV, Padrino Lopez assured that the national armed forces would safeguard Venezuela's legitimate rights in both airspace and territorial waters, while avoiding provocation.

According to Anadolu Agency, Padrino Lopez criticized the US order to block Venezuelan oil tankers as a violation of the UN Charter, labeling the actions as an open act of aggression. He called upon multilateral international organizations to consider and respond to what he described as an irrational and aggressive stance, which he claimed threatens not just Venezuela, but the entire Latin American and Caribbean region, as well as global energy stability.

In a related statement, Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez asserted on social media that no foreign power would receive oil from Venezuela without due compensation. She reiterated that the country's oil resources are the rightful property of the Venezuelan people and affirmed that Venezuela will maintain its independence in energy relations. Alongside President Nicolas Maduro, she vowed to continue defending the nation.

The situation escalated following an announcement by President Trump on Tuesday, declaring a 'total and complete blockade' of sanctioned oil tankers associated with Venezuela. The tension further intensified when Venezuela accused Washington of 'piracy' after a Venezuelan oil tanker was seized on December 10 off the country's coast. An official complaint regarding the incident has been submitted to the UN Security Council.