Venezuela says it hopes to sign a new agreement with the United States next month on anti-drug cooperation.
Venezuelan anti-drug chief Luis Correa said Monday the deal will be signed around July 8. The U.S. Embassy in Caracas said the two sides are close to an agreement.
Reports say Venezuela wants the new accord to restrict U.S. agents operating in the Andean country but ensure cooperation in the areas of information-sharing, technology and training.
Last August, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez accused the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration of spying on his government under the guise of fighting drug trafficking and suspended cooperation with the agency.
The U.S. government responded by revoking the visas of three Venezuelan military officers suspected of involvement in drug trafficking.
In September, the U.S. government said Venezuela had "failed demonstrably" to adhere to its obligations under international anti-narcotics agreements.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
