Venezuelan, Colombian leaders look to mend ties (AFP)

by Beatriz Lecumberri 14 minutes ago CARACAS (AFP) - The presidents of Venezuela and Colombia, Hugo Chavez and Alvaro Uribe, are to meet Friday with the aim of drawing a line under months of crisis-filled tensions and recovering neighborly ties. The face-to-face in Coro, northwest Venezuela, will be the first bilateral meeting since late 2007. "This means reestablishing a constructive and respectful dialogue, with differences being put on the table along with points on which we can work together," Venezuelan Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro said Wednesday. He described the talks as a political opportunity to reactivate cooperation along the common border, and in the fields of trade, energy and infrastructure. Venezuelan analysts said Uribe would be arriving with a profile strengthened by the recent rescue of 15 hostages held... [read full story]