HAVANA, July 18 (Xinhuanet) -- Cuba and Mexico agreed on Sunday to send back their ambassadors to each other's capital as part of an effort to smooth over a rift that prompted both countries to withdraw their ambassadors in May.

    Mexican Foreign Minister Luis Ernesto Derbez and his Cuban counterpart, Felipe Perez Roque made the announcement after their meeting in Havana.

    Derbez arrived in Havana on Sunday and was greeted at the airport by Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla, Cuba's vice foreign minister,and received by Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque during an offering of flowers at a statue of Mexican national hero Benito Juarez.

    In May, Mexico recalled its ambassador to Cuba, ordered the expulsion of Cuban Ambassador to Mexico, and declared a Cuban diplomat "persona non grata." Mexico accused Cuban President Fidel Castro of interfering in its internal affairs.

    Mexico's outpouring of indignation came after Castro's May Day speech, during which Castro blasted Mexico for supporting a resolution censuring Cuba at the UN Human Rights Commission in Geneva.

    Tensions also heightened when Cuba in April expelled Carlos Ahumada, a Mexican businessman of Argentine origin. Cuba said Ahumada's activities were political in nature. Enditem