US official, Venezuelan National Assembly leader meet in Haiti

Haiti: A top US diplomat met with the president of Venezuela`s National Assembly in Haiti this weekend to discuss diplomatic relations amid high tension between the two countries, the assembly said.

Diosdado Cabello, regarded as Venezuela`s second most powerful man, and US State Department Counselor Thomas Shannon met for more than an hour and a half on Saturday for talks facilitated by Haitian President Michel Martelly.

The meeting was "aimed at normalizing diplomatic relations with respect to international law, sovereignty and self-determination of people," said Cabello, who was accompanied by Venezuelan Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez.

According to a statement by the National Assembly, Cabello said that the talks "represent an important step towards full restoration of relations between the countries".

Tensions have run particularly high between the United States and Venezuela since US President Barack Obama slapped sanctions in March on seven Venezuelan officials linked to human rights abuses.

However the two countries have lacked ambassadors in each other`s capitals since 2010.

Shannon already met with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas in April following the heightened strain.

Meanwhile, just last month, the Wall Street Journal reported that Cabello was one of several senior Venezuelan officials being investigated by US prosecutors over alleged involvement in large-scale cocaine trafficking.

Maduro responded that "anyone who messes with Diosdado messes with me".