In a press conference in Venezuela, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro said on Friday that relationships with the Dominican Republic are “excellent.” Maduro’s reaction follows a public apology the Ministry of Foreign Relations sent to Venezuela following comments from Venezuela regarding the supposedly uncalled for mediation of President Leonel Fernandez in the dispute between Alvaro Uribe of Colombia and Hugo Chavez of Venezuela. The Venezuelan diplomatic note had said Fernandez had started his mission without consultation, causing “annoyance” and “unease.” Uribe and Chavez have stated publicly that they would like to pursue better relations.