Venezuela reopening Colombia embassy

CARACAS, Venezuela, March 9 (UPI) -- Venezuela said Sunday it will reopen its embassy in Colombia now that tensions between the two countries concerning border issues have been defused.

Venezuela's Foreign Ministry said its decision to "re-establish the normal functioning of its diplomatic relations" with Colombia was "a victory for peace and sovereignty," Mercopress reported.

Venezuela had closed its diplomatic mission in Colombia and President Hugo Chavez ordered the expulsion of Colombian diplomats after Colombian troops entered Ecuador March 1 while chasing rebel fighters. Diplomatic talks in the Dominican Republic Friday -- which included Chavez, Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa and Colombian President Alvaro Uribe -- produced the accommodation among the countries.