Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has threatened to stop selling oil to European countries if they apply a new ruling on illegal immigrants that has been condemned by human rights groups.

European Union lawmakers ruled on Wednesday (local time) that illegal immigrants can be detained for up to 18 months and face a re-entry ban of up to five years.

"We can't just stand by with our arms crossed," Mr Chavez said at an event to celebrate his OPEC country's oil supplies to South America.

The socialist ally of Cuba also warned he could review the investment of European Union nations that apply the measure.

He did not elaborate.

Mr Chavez has regularly issued conditional threats to halt crude shipments from Venezuela, one of the world's largest exporters of oil, although he has never followed through on a move that would hurt supplies at a time of record prices.

- Reuters