Venezuela and Colombia have restored diplomatic ties after a long-simmering dispute reached a crisis point last month. Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez suspended ties with Colombia after the Colombian government accused Chávez of harboring Colombian guerrillas. On Tuesday, Chávez met with Colombia’s new president Juan Manuel Santos in the Colombian town of Santa Marta near the border with Venezuela. Both Santos and Chávez pledged to seek cooperation.

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos: “We have decided that both countries will reestablish their diplomatic ties and look to the future, in a road map, so that all aspects of the relationship can progress and advance and can deepen.”

Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez: “We have established some principles. We have set the foundation stone of our new relationship. Now we must look after it with very sensitive efforts.”