Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez declared today that his country would suspend oil exports to the E.U. if the region’s new immigration law goes into effect. The so-called “return directive”- which was approved on Wednesday- set limits for holding illegal immigrants in detention centers and set guidelines for reentry.Chavez’ remarks adamantly opposed the E.U.’s new policy:
"Our petroleum should not go to these European countries" that apply the new laws, Chavez said at a press conference here alongside Paraguay's president-elect, Fernando Lugo…
Chavez said that his government would "review the investments that they (the Europeans) have here to see if we can also apply a 'return directive'".
During the aforementioned press conference, Lugo supported Chavez’ claims and added that European right-wing extremists were behind the new laws.
Aside from Lugo and Chavez, Bolivian president Evo Morales also slammed the E.U.’s measure in an op/ed piece published on Monday.
Sources (English)- Canada.com, The Latin Americanist, Xinhua
Sources (Spanish)- Prensa Latina
Image- Christian Science Monitor (“No: Members of the European Parliament hold placards opposing new EU deportation rules.”)
Paraguay is not an oil exporter, but still, Chávez's position is strengthened every time his bluster is echoed by another Latin American leader. It'll be interesting to see if Lugo, Paraguay's incoming president, consistently provides the type of support that Chávez has enjoyed from Bolivia's Morales.
ReplyDeleteIn speaking to Paraguayans, Lugo has emphasized that Paraguay will follow its "own process." But on this immigration issue, at least, it seems that Chavez's "process" suits Lugo just fine.
Nice post
ReplyDeleteChavez suck! Why he suspend Oil exporting he know that Paraguay is one of the big oil exporter.
ReplyDelete