The United States and Venezuela agreed today to restore to office their respective ambassadors, who had been expelled during a diplomatic conflict in September of last year, according to the US Department of State.

The spokesman of the Department of State, Ian Kelly, declared as well that the agreement, which took place on Monday after conversations between both countries, did not establish a time frame for the return of the ambassadors to Washington and Caracas.

"We're currently taking the necessary measures in order to carry out our objective and we consider that the exchange of ambassadors will be in the best interest of both countries," Kelly indicated.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez ordered the expulsion of US ambassador in September in a demonstration of solidarity for Bolivian President Evo Morales, who had expelled his US ambassador in Bolivia after accusing him of supporting a separatist movement.

Washington retaliated by expelling the ambassadors of both countries, in what represented one of the lowest points in the difficult relationship that the US has maintained with Venezuela over the last few years.

President Barack Obama has tried to improve his country's relationship with Latin America and exchanged brief greetings with Chávez last April during the Summit of the Americas.

Chávez is considered one of the most acute critics of the US, but has lowered the tone of his rhetoric since Obama, who is much more popular in Latin America than his predecessor -George W. Bush- assumed the presidency. All differences aside, the US remains Venezuela's biggest oil buyer.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Chávez began discussing the idea of returning their respective ambassadors in the meetings held during the Summit of the Americas.