More on US - Venezuela oil talks - US wants the oil shipped to them directly

Earlier:

Venezuela has released a US hostage

That's gotta be an encouraging sign!

Reuters with more info on negotiations:

• U.S. officials made clear their priority was to secure supplies for the United States, the people told Reuters. The officials told their Venezuelan counterparts that any relaxation in U.S. sanctions would be conditional on Venezuela shipping oil directly to the United States, the sources said.