Venezuela and Panama will restore ambassadors and allow for the resumption of airline service, turning the page on a diplomatic dispute between the two countries, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro told reporters on Thursday.
Venezuela this month cut commercial ties with a group of Panamanian officials and companies, including regional airline Copa, for alleged involvement in money laundering, prompting both countries to recall ambassadors.
"We"™ve agreed … on the return of the ambassadors of Venezuela and Panama to their respective embassies, and to resume air connectivity with all the airlines as of tomorrow," Maduro said during a televised broadcast.
Copa, which has become a crucial provider of international flights following a sharp reduction in airline services to crisis-stricken Venezuela, did not answer phone calls seeking comment.
Venezuela had accused Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela and nearly two dozen Cabinet ministers and top-ranking officials of involvement in money laundering…
