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US, Venezuela 'to restore envoys' US, Venezuela to restore envoys
(about 5 hours later)
Venezuela's foreign minister says his country will restore its ambassador to Washington, nine months after the envoy was withdrawn in a diplomatic row. The United States and Venezuela are to reinstate ambassadors to each other's capitals following tit-for-tat expulsions last year.
Nicolas Maduro also said the US would restore its ambassador to Caracas. A US official confirmed to Reuters an envoy would return to Venezuela. Officials in Caracas and Washington confirmed the decision, which follows an easing of tension since President Barack Obama came to office.
Last September's spat arose over an alleged US plot against Bolivian President Evo Morales. President Hugo Chavez ordered out the US ambassador last September.
Venezuela expelled the US envoy in "solidarity" with Bolivia. The move followed allegations that Washington was plotting a coup d'etat in Bolivia.
The decision by Caracas was taken soon after Washington ordered out the Bolivian ambassador, in response to its own envoy being told to leave Bolivia. Venezuela's foreign minister Nicolas Maduro told reporters on Wednesday that diplomatic movement would "take place in the coming days, and as soon as the ambassadors have resumed their functions we will move forward to a more fluid communication".
The US responded to Caracas' move by expelling the Venezuelan diplomat. "Both ambassadors will return immediately to their work - our ambassador, Bernardo Alvarez, in Washington, and US ambassador Patrick Duddy in Caracas. That is the plan," he said.
Book gift Fierce critic
On Wednesday, Mr Maduro told reporters that diplomatic movement would "take place in the coming days, and as soon as the ambassadors have resumed their functions we will move forward to a more fluid communication", AFP news agency reported. President Chavez said in April, at a summit of the Americas where he met President Obama for the first time, that he hoped to send an ambassador back to Washington.
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said in April, at a summit of the Americas where he met US President Barack Obama for the first time, that he hoped to send an ambassador back to Washington.
Mr Chavez was a fierce critic of the US under former President George W Bush, accusing Washington of plotting to assassinate him.Mr Chavez was a fierce critic of the US under former President George W Bush, accusing Washington of plotting to assassinate him.
But in a sign of warming ties, Mr Obama shook hands with Mr Chavez at the summit, and accepted a book from the Venezuelan leader. Analysts say Mr Chavez has toned down his criticism of US foreign policy since Mr Obama took office in January.
In a sign of warming ties, Mr Obama shook hands with Mr Chavez at the summit, and accepted a book from the Venezuelan leader.
The BBC's James Coomarasamy in Washington says Mr Obama's policy of re-engaging with countries which have had troubled relationships with the US appears to be moving up a gear.