The US and Venezuela have announced plans to restore their expelled ambassadors after a nine-month rift. Both countries withdrew their ambassadors in a dispute over the Bush administration’s destablilization efforts in Bolivia. State Department spokesperson Ian Kelly said the renewed ties came out of the recent Summit of the Americas.

Ian Kelly: “Since Secretary Clinton and President Chavez spoke during the Summit of Americas, both our governments have worked toward the goal of returning ambassadors to our respective capitals. We are currently taking the necessary measures to accomplish this goal.”

Venezuela says its US ambassador will return to Washington on Friday.