(CNN) -- For observers of Latin America, this week's meeting in Caracas between Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos was remarkable for how unremarkable it was. Santos and Chavez, both in suits, sat closely at a table as they signed a number of bilateral initiatives on agriculture, trade and security. Before last year, the thought of Colombia and Venezuela cooperating on anything at all seemed remote. Relations were so strained between the two countries that the word "war" was on politicians' lips. Chavez and Santos' predecessor, Alvaro Uribe, volleyed insults back and forth like professional tennis players.
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For a period, Venezuela and Colombia were bitterly at odds
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In the past year that relationship has healed
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Obstacles to the strength of that relationship remain, analysts say
Colombian
Colombia
Colombia
@placeholder called the announcement a "war threat," and Venezuela retorted by calling Colombia's response "hypocritical" and "immoral."
Venezuelan
Venezuela
Venezuela
Colombia called the announcement a "war threat," and @placeholder retorted by calling Colombia's response "hypocritical" and "immoral."
Colombian
Colombia
Colombia
Colombia called the announcement a "war threat," and Venezuela retorted by calling @placeholder's response "hypocritical" and "immoral."
Venezuelan
Venezuela
Venezuela
Eight months later, @placeholder broke off all diplomatic relations with Colombia.
Hugo Chavez
Chavez
Chavez
For now, at least, @placeholder summed up his view like this on Monday: "We can be an example of how governments with different views ... (can) put those differences aside and put forth a single direction, a single compass."