The government of Venezuela has denounced the European Commission’s decision to place Conviasa Airlines on the black list of companies banned in the EU (see Europolitics 4399) and is threatening to apply reciprocal measures. It considers the decision “totally disproportionate,” according to a statement by Venezuela’s Foreign Ministry, published in the wake of the Commission’s announcement, on 3 April. The same statement adds that the government headed by Hugo Chavez could take “reciprocal and proportionate measures [...] to safeguard its interests [...] and the prestige of the national airline”. When announcing its decision, the Commission added that two other airlines certified in Venezuela, Estellar Latinoamerica and Aerotuy, were being placed under enhanced surveillance.