Venezuelan Vice-President José Vicente Rangel backed President Hugo Chávez' reply to Prime Minister Tony Blair, who recommended Venezuela "to abide by the rules of the international community."

"The answer of the president and the Venezuelan Government to Mr. Blair is what he deserves," he admonished.

"Subordination of a head of state in such a way to another head of state and railing on a fellow government and people is pathetic. Many times the stance of sub-empires is more grovel than the attitude of empires," he stated in a press release.

"It is unjustified aggression against a nation like Venezuela, which has cordial, close relations with both the English government and people."

In Rangel's opinion, "it was calculated aggression consistent with a format used by US President George W. Bush."