Venezuela's Chavez compares 'barbaric' EU immigration rules to US border wall

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez accused Europe on Tuesday of taking a page from Washington by adopting a barbaric immigration policy, in stark contrast to moves by South American nations to enable passport-free travel across most of the continent. New European Union rules on expelling illegal immigrants amount to a virtual 'wall in the Atlantic,' Chavez said at a summit of the Mercosur trade bloc, which passed a resolution condemning the EU measure.
'We need a strong stance ... in defense of the dignity of our people,' Chavez said to the gathered leaders of Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Uruguay, and Chile. ''Civilized' Europe has legalized barbarism.' While the United States and Europe tighten their borders, the South American trade group is encouraging the freer movement of people through 10 nations. Passport-free travel already is allowed among Mercosur's full member states of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. The new travel zone includes associate Mercosur members as well, covering all of South America but the Guyanas.