CARACAS, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said Monday that channels of communication between the United States and Venezuela have been severed by Washington amid "persistent aggression."

"Today I can announce that communications with the U.S. government have been severed by them," Maduro told a press conference in Caracas, Venezuela's capital.

The president blamed the breakdown on "threats and blackmail" from Washington.

Maduro stressed that Venezuela has "managed to preserve peace" despite provocations from the United States.

For the past five weeks, he said, Venezuela has faced challenges while working to maintain stability. He added that Venezuela is exercising its legitimate right to defend itself against political, diplomatic and potential military aggression.