The Venezuelan government on Tuesday released two Americans who had been imprisoned in the South American country for several years.

One of the released is a manager of the energy company Citgo.

"Tonight, two Americans wrongfully arrested in Venezuela are able to hug their families again," US President Joe Biden said in a statement.

Tjerk Bruhwiller

Correspondent for Latin America based in São Paulo.

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The release of the two Americans - more could follow - is a first success from the talks between Washington and Caracas.

An American delegation traveled to Venezuela on Saturday to meet Nicolás Maduro's government.

It was the first meeting of senior government officials from the two countries in several years.

In terms of content, it was not only about the fate of the imprisoned Americans, but above all about the topic of oil.

Washington is examining whether it could replace part of the oil imports from Russia, which the import ban will eliminate, with Venezuelan oil.

According to Reuters, citing people familiar with the negotiations, Washington would be willing to ease oil sanctions imposed on Venezuela in 2019, but only on the condition that Venezuela ship some of its oil exports directly to the United States.

In recent years, the Venezuelan government and the state-owned company PdVSA have used Russia and the Russian financial system to circumvent American sanctions.

If sanctions are eased, the American oil company Chevron, which is still present in Venezuela, could resume production in Venezuela and exports to its own and other refineries on the American Gulf Coast in the relatively short term.

According to various sources, no breakthrough was achieved in the talks.

Both sides have so far stuck to their maximum demands: Washington pushed for free presidential elections and the release of the Americans imprisoned in Venezuela, while Maduro called for a far-reaching lifting of sanctions.

However, Maduro spoke on state television of a “respectful and very diplomatic” meeting.

Observers see the release of the American prisoners as a signal of rapprochement.

The two sides agreed to further meetings.

A date has not yet been announced.