Panama to suspend Venezuelan airlines in retaliation

Screens that read "Cancelled" hang above counters of Copa Airlines at the Simon Bolivar airport in Caracas, Venezuela April 6, 2018. REUTERS/Marco Bello

PANAMA CITY (Reuters) - Panama will ban several Venezuelan airlines from working in the country for at least 90 days, the government said on Tuesday, the latest twist in a dispute that began when Venezuelan officials were put on a "high risk" money laundering list.

Last week, Venezuela halted commercial relations with Panamanian officials and companies, including airline Copa <CPA.N>, for alleged involvement in money laundering, prompting both countries to recall their ambassadors.

Panama's government said in a statement on Tuesday that several airlines including Aeropostal Alas de Venezuela and Santa Barbara Airlines would be suspended for 90 days from April 25.

(Reporting by Elida Moreno; Writing by Christine Murray; Editing by Sandra Maler)