CARACAS, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- Venezuelan and Colombian presidents met here on Tuesday for the first time in years as the two neighboring Latin American countries continue to improve their relations and promote economic and trade cooperation.

During Colombian President Gustavo Petro's trip to the capital Caracas, the first time a Colombian head of state has visited Venezuela since 2016, he held talks with Venezuelan counterpart Nicolas Maduro.

Maduro welcomed Petro at the Miraflores presidential palace, where the latter was honored and treated with traditional Colombian music.

Venezuela severed diplomatic relations with Colombia in 2019 after the government of then Colombian President Ivan Duque recognized opposition leader Juan Guaido as Venezuela's acting president.

After Petro succeeded Duque, he signaled a shift in foreign policy towards Venezuela, and Caracas expressed its willingness to restore ties.

The two countries restored full diplomatic relations in late August, reopening border crossings and sending ambassadors to each other's capitals.