The paper aims to introduce a new symmetry principle in the space-time geometry through the elimination of the classical idea of rest and by including a universal minimum limit of speed in the subatomic world. Such a limit, unattainable by particles, represents a preferred reference frame associated with a universal background field that breaks Lorentz symmetry. Thus the structure of space-time is extended due to the presence of a vacuum energy density, which leads to a negative pressure at cosmological scales. The tiny values of the cosmological constant and the vacuum energy density shall be successfully obtained, being in good agreement with current observational results.