Venezuela’s government must release jailed Americans for its relationship with the US to move forward, Assistant Secretary of State Brian Nichols said on Tuesday. “Without progress in this area a normal relationship with Venezuela is not possible,” Nichols said at an Atlantic Council event in DC. “We continue to insist and advocate for their immediate release.” By Patricia Laya and Fabiola Zerpa. Full Text -> Bloomberg

Heath, 39, was arrested Sept 10 traveling along the Caribbean coast accused of scheming with three Venezuelans to sabotage oil refineries and other infrastructure to stir unrest. Authorities said they found images of targets on Heath’s cellphone and they displayed pictures taken indoors of a grenade launcher, plastic explosives, and a bag of U.S. dollars they said was being transported by the “terrorist cell.” By Joshua Goodman. Full Text -> AP

The Castro regime in Cuba has a long history of using political prisoners to negotiate with the civilized world—for sanctions relief, financial aid, or the release of convicted spies. Now Venezuela may be getting into the act by refusing to let more than 800 Americans leave the country. Editorial. Full Text-> WSJ