Venezuela has deployed its Navy to escort ships carrying petroleum products from its ports, heightening tensions with the U.S. after President Trump announced a “total and complete blockade” targeting sanctioned Venezuelan oil tankers.

Several vessels transporting urea, petroleum coke, and other oil-based products departed the Port of José for Asia under military escort, responding to Trump’s blockade threats.

The escorted ships do not appear on current U.S. sanctions lists, leaving it unclear whether they would be affected by the blockade.

PDVSA, Venezuela’s state oil company, stated that its ships are sailing safely and lawfully under their right to free navigation, the New York Times has reported.

The move follows a recent U.S. seizure of a sanctioned Asia-bound tanker carrying nearly two million barrels of Venezuelan crude, prompting Maduro to vow that oil exports will continue despite U.S. actions.