Venezuela on Wednesday rejected what it called “crude and arrogant threats” from the United States after President Donald Trump ordered a blockade of sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving the country, as China voiced opposition to “unilateral bullying” and Mexico urged the United Nations to intervene to prevent bloodshed amid escalating tensions.
The Venezuelan military said Wednesday it was “not intimidated” by threats from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has ordered a blockade of oil vessels under sanctions heading to and from the South American country.
“We say to the U.S. government and its president that we are not intimidated by their crude and arrogant threats,” Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez said at an event in Caracas, flanked by senior military commanders who have repeatedly pledged loyalty to President Nicolas Maduro.
“The dignity of this homeland is neither negotiable nor cowed by absolutely anyone,” Padrino added.
Trump on Tuesday ordered what he described as a “blockade” of all sanctioned oil tankers bound for Venezuela, a move the Maduro government condemned as a “grotesque threat.” The U.S. president has labeled Venezuela’s government a foreign terrorist organization and is expected to address the nation Wednesday evening from the White House.
