Caracas, May 14 (RHC).-- Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza denounced the U.S. government for pursuing ships transporting fuel to and from the South American nation.

"More evidence for the world that we will take to the International Criminal Court: in the midst of the pandemic, Washington is persecuting ships that transport our oil and those that bring gasoline.  Flagrant violation of international law and the fundamental rights of Venezuelan women and men," the minister wrote on his Twitter account.

This reaction comes after Reuters news agency published a message on the networks in which it affirms, based on statements by a high official of the United States government, that that country is considering retaliating against Iran for the shipment of fuel to Venezuela.

Three weeks ago, it was reported that Venezuela was considering buying gasoline from Iran through intermediaries.  The president of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro, previously requested Iran's support for the reactivation of its gasoline treatment plants and, according to Bloomberg news service, the Persian nation sent necessary components for the production of this fuel.

Venezuelan authorities filed a complaint against the United States at the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity committed as a result of the implementation of unilateral coercive measures against the South American nation.

U.S. sanctions prevent any company from that country or operating in its financial system from selling Venezuelan gasoline and even the components necessary for its production.

This situation has caused a severe shortage of gasoline in Venezuela, and even ambulances and police patrols must stand in long lines to fill their gas tanks.