The Bolivarian National Armed Force (FANB) will remain deployed in Venezuelan waters to escort Iranian oil tankers loaded with gasoline to attend to the fuel situation in the country, as said on Monday the Defense Minister, Vladimir Padrino López.
“The same security will be maintained for the four (remaining) ships, accompanying them, from the moment they enter the exclusive economic zone of Venezuela. It is an instruction and we are going to carry it out with open arms”, said Padrino López in an interview with the “360” program, broadcast by Venezolana de Televisión.
From Puerto Cabello, in Carabobo state; Padrino López highlighted that the arrival of the “Fortune” ship, this Sunday night; represents an act of brotherhood between both nations:
“It is not only the gesture of accompaniment, of welcoming the Armed Forces, it is an act of brotherhood that we are doing, of gratitude. This is an event that marks certain milestones. We cannot speak of a post-pandemic world, but if we are seeing clear signs of the weaknesses of the capitalist system”, stressed the head of the Ministry for Defense.
In total there are five vessels that are expected to reach the nation. The other four are the Petunia, Forrest, Faxon and Clavel, as an act of self-determination and sovereignty. This is the first time that Iran exports fuel to Latin America.
Until now, the Iranian ship “Forrest” is approaching Venezuelan coasts and the Bolivarian National Armed Force stressed that in the next few hours it will cross the north of the Margarita island, to continue on route to the El Palito refinery.
Likewise, he pointed out that the arrival of the ships to Venezuela, as well as the cooperation agreements between both nations, signify not only a victory for the people, but also “a victory for humanity”.
In reference to the threats of the United States (USA) against Iranian ships, Padrino López indicated that the deployment made by the North American government was carried out in the Pacific and not in the Caribbean.
“We had the situation monitored, monitoring all the ships, planes that fly in our wings of influence, and we already knew that there were no threats”, he said.
For his part, the commander of the Strategic Command of the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (CEOFANB), Remigio Ceballos, indicated that the military corps remain deployed in all refineries, as well as in the headquarters and facilities of all public services, in order to curb any threat or sabotage promoted by the US government.
«The entire FANB is deployed in the oil facilities. We are deployed to protect all the services provided in the population and the entire telecommunications system, with emphasis on custody of the refinery. Exercise of permanent vigilance ”, he sentenced.
