The Venezuelan ambassador to the Dominican Republic, Francisco Belisario Landis, and Interior & Justice Minister Luis Rincon Romero arrived in Santo Domingo yesterday, in an apparent attempt to heal the rift between the two countries. They are due to meet with President Hipolito Mejia today. Belisario was recalled to Caracas in September following accusations that Dominican government officials were complicit in an alleged conspiracy against Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez being hatched on Dominican soil by exiled Venezuelan opposition members, including former President Carlos Andres Perez. Perez left the Dominican Republic some weeks ago on an extended trip and is currently in a New York City hospital recovering from a stroke. Venezuelan oil exports to the Dominican Republic remain suspended as a result of the dispute. Rumors persist that the two heads of state are due to meet in Panama early next week.