Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez on Thursday called for retaliatory actions against the European Union (EU) in response to its approval of a new immigration law.
Speaking to the press on the sidelines of the ongoing 7th Conference of Information Ministers of Non-Aligned Countries on Margarita island in northwestern Venezuela, Chavez reasserted his rejection of the anti-immigrant law adopted by the European Parliament on June 18.
"It is discreditable what Europe is doing. We have to strongly raise our voices against Europe," he said.
The president said Venezuela welcomes all foreigners who arrive in the country and treats them like brothers, adding that the EU's anti-immigrant law is another example of ignominy.
Chavez has previously threatened to cut off oil exports to EU nations if they enforce the new immigration rules and urged the Organization of American Sates to discuss the legislation.
Under the new law, which could come into force in 2010, illegal immigrants will face detention of up to 18 months before deportation and will be banned for up to five years from re-entering the 27 EU countries.
The law has drawn widespread and strong criticism from Latin America.
Source:Xinhua
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