The United States has accepted Venezuela's new proposal in the war against drug trafficking, Luis Correa, the president of Venezuela's National Commission Against Illegal Drug Use, said on Friday.

The proposal is now in the hands of the government in Washington, which means that the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has approved it, said the official. He added that the deal should soon be signed by Jesse Chacon, Venezuela's interior minister and William Brownfield, the U.S. ambassador.

The new deal is more a revision of existing working practices than a formal international agreement, according to U.S. officials. The two countries have had a bilateral anti-trafficking accord since 1978.

"We have resolved our basic difference and we hope to be able to sign a new deal soon," said Salome Hernandez, the U.S. embassy representative in Caracas.

There has been tension between Venezuela and the U.S since August, when Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez suspended cooperation with the DEA, accusing its agents of spying. Since then, Venezuelan officials have said they would be willing to work with the U.S., but only under new terms.

Source: Xinhua