Venezuela's Chavez Repeats Threats To Expel EU Companies

President Hugo Chavez on Thursday reiterated threats to expel European Union companies doing business in Venezuela because of new immigration rules imposed by the E.U. Chavez said in comments broadcast by Venezuelan state television that E.U. companies operating in the oil and gas sectors could be asked to leave Venezuela because of the new immigration rules. 'We have to take retaliations,' Chavez said. 'They are the ones that need our oil,' he added. Chavez threatened on June 19 to shut oil exports because of the new immigration policy. The new E.U. immigration rules allow for illegal immigrants to be held in detention centers for up to 18 months before being deported. The new measure is likely to affect Latin American illegal immigrants in Europe.