U.S., Venezuela restore diplomatic posts

WASHINGTON, June 25 (UPI) -- The United States and Venezuela agreed to drop declarations of persona non grata and allow diplomats to return to their posts, the U.S. State Department said.

The change of heart resulted "through an exchange of diplomatic notes," State Department spokesman Ian Kelly said Thursday during a news briefing.

The declarations were made in September 2008, culminating in U.S. Ambassador Patrick D. Duddy and Venezuelan Ambassador Bernardo Alvarez being expelled from their respective posts in Caracas and Washington. Kelly did not provide a time table for the new status.

Relations deteriorated between Venezuela under Hugo Chavez and the United States under former President George W. Bush. President Barack Obama said he wants to explore opening dialogues with a number of countries, Venezuela among them.

"With (Duddy's) return, full diplomatic representation will resume," Kelly said. "This important step will help advance U.S. interests by improving bilateral communication and enhancing our outreach to the Venezuelan people."