Venezuelan Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino warned that rising tensions between Washington and Caracas could help shape a “new world order,” as he accused the United States of acting out of desperation amid declining global influence. Speaking during a Christmas gathering with the armed forces in Caracas, Padrino defended Venezuela’s sovereignty, rejected “imperial control,” and criticized US military deployments and oil tanker seizures. His remarks come after Venezuela raised concerns at the UN Security Council, where Russia and China backed Caracas but no action followed due to a US veto.