'We defeated Exxon,' Venezuelan oil minister says

CARACAS, March 18 (Reuters) - A ruling in a British court to lift a $12 billion freeze on Venezuelan assets earlier awarded to U.S. oil major Exxon Mobil (XOM.N) was a "100 pct victory" for the South American nation, its oil minister said Tuesday.

"We have defeated Exxon," minister Rafael Ramirez said on state television after Tuesday's decision. (Reporting by Deisy Buitrago; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)