On the streets of Cuba, Soviet-era cars continue to play a key role in daily life, decades after the Cold War ended. Models such as the Lada, Moskvich, Volga, Niva, and Zil—mass-imported during the Soviet era—are still a common sight across the island’s cities and towns, becoming true icons of the Cuban urban landscape.

The Lada, in particular, has become one of the most prevalent and functional vehicles, used not only for personal transport but also as taxis, ambulances, and police cars. It is estimated that around 250,000 Ladas are still on the road, a significant number that reflects their durability and adaptability to local conditions.

However, keeping these cars running poses a constant challenge. The shortage of spare parts—exacerbated in part by Western sanctions on Russia—has pushed many Cubans to find creative solutions: from handcrafting replacement parts to adapting engines from other brands such as Toyota. This resourcefulness has extended the lifespan of vehicles that are often more than forty years old.

Beyond their practical use, Soviet cars have also fostered an active automotive culture. In Havana, for example, the Lada Club brings together enthusiasts who share technical knowledge and organize community events.

Despite government efforts to modernize the island’s vehicle fleet, these cars remain essential. Recently, Russia sent 50 Moskvich vehicles to help update Havana’s taxi system, a sign that the automotive connection between the two countries endures.

In Cuba, Soviet cars do more than transport people—they carry a living piece of history and national identity.

On Sunday, Venezuelans will elect 24 governors, 285 national legislators and 260 members of the state legislative councils. On Monday, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and senior government officials met at the Miraflores Palace in Caracas to assess new terrorist plans that the transnational far-right is attempting to implement in connection with the upcoming elections.

Previously, Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello had confirmed the capture of 38 mercenaries planning to sabotage the elections. Among them were 17 foreigners. President Maduro took the opportunity to highlight the strength of democracy in Venezuela, a country that has held 31 previous elections since the Bolivarian Revolution arrived 26 years ago. He also criticized the international media for systematically hiding the upcoming elections in the South American country.

“The Albanian mafia that rules Ecuador sent some of its mercenaries to plant bombs in Venezuela. They have been captured,” he said, linking the regional terrorist activities to the presence of Erik Prince, the founder of the private military group Blackwater.

The meeting, held in the Simon Bolivar Hall, was also attended by Vice President Delcy Rodriguez and Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez, among other representatives of the security forces.

“This team guarantees the victory of peace and security. We must protect our people’s constitutional rights to peace, stability, and tranquility,” Maduro said, referring to the elections to be held on May 25.

During the Miraflores Palace meeting, Maduro ordered the strengthening of protections for the national electrical system to prevent attacks similar to those that occurred before and during July 28, 2024, when the U.S.-backed opposition managed to cut off electricity for several days.

The Bolivarian leader assured that his administration is prepared to confront any attempt at sabotage and guarantee the peace of the population. He also called on the justice system to punish those responsible for the previous sabotage attacks.

On May 25, millions of Venezuelans will head to the polls to elect 24 governors, 285 national deputies and 260 members of the state legislative councils across the country.

The Bolivarian leader revealed private conversations with Latin American leaders who suggested suspending the elections due to US economic sanctions. However, he categorically rejected this position.

“No one can take away the people’s right to participate, elect, and have their authorities,” Maduro affirmed, reiterating that Venezuela will continue to hold elections regardless of external pressure.

“Vote yes, violence no! Vote yes, bullets no!” the Venezuelan president said during an exhortation to the population to turn out en masse for Sunday’s elections.

“May 25th will be a day of peace, stability, happiness, and participation,” he said, emphasizing that the electoral process will proceed normally thanks to the coordination between popular forces, the military, and the police.

Venezuelan opposition leader Edmundo González has been hospitalized in a public health facility in Spain following a sudden episode of low blood pressure. González, widely recognized by the United States and several other nations as the legitimate president of Venezuela, is reportedly in stable condition.

“I am receiving excellent care from the medical and nursing staff. My family, my comrades in struggle, and I feel reassured knowing that I am in good hands,” González said in a statement issued from the hospital.

The 75-year-old leader expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support he has received during the health scare. In his absence, the leadership of Venezuela’s democratic transition remains in the hands of María Corina Machado, a prominent opposition figure who has emerged as the driving force behind the movement for political change.

González praised her resolve, stating she is guiding the path to national transformation “with determination and commitment.” González assured supporters that he will adhere strictly to medical recommendations as he recovers and reaffirmed his dedication to his presidential responsibilities.

“I am aware that my responsibility to the country as president-elect requires my speedy recovery,” he said. González is regarded by the U.S. and a growing number of countries as the rightful winner of the disputed July 28, 2024, elections. According to evidence presented by the Venezuelan opposition, González secured twice as many votes as strongman Nicolás Maduro. Despite widespread claims of electoral fraud, Maduro proceeded with a controversial swearing-in ceremony in January 2025, deepening the country’s political turmoil.

Fearing imprisonment by the Maduro regime, known for jailing political opponents, González fled to Spain shortly after the election. Public sentiment within Venezuela appears to align with the opposition’s claims. Recent polling indicates that nine out of ten Venezuelans believe Maduro lost the election, reflecting growing disillusionment with the authoritarian government.

Their dialogue aims to revive negotiations between Russia and Ukraine following talks in Istanbul on May 16. The Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov announced that Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump will hold a “very important conversation” at 2 p.m. GMT on Monday.

The dialogue aims to revive negotiations between Russia and Ukraine following talks in Istanbul on May 16 — the first in more than three years. The U.S. president said his goal is to “stop the massacre” and end a war that “should never have happened,” though he did not disclose specific details.

Hours before the call, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance acknowledged there is “mistrust between Russia and the West,” but said Trump is willing to “move past the mistakes of the past” to achieve peace. However, he noted, “If Russia doesn’t cooperate, we’ll say: ‘This is not our war.'”

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump is “open” to meeting with Putin, although the Kremlin stressed that any in-person meeting would require “intense preparation” and technical consultations.

Peskov said Monday’s call is a necessary step but clarified that a summit would only make sense if it yields “concrete results.” Meanwhile, Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, has held frequent meetings in Moscow. In one those meetings, he dialogued with Putin on April 25.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned that Washington could impose new sanctions on Russia if Putin does not show “good faith” in the negotiations. So far, however, U.S. and European sanctions have failed to dent the Russian economy, which remains robust thanks to trade with Global South countries.

On Sunday, on the sidelines of the enthronement of Pope Leo XIV in Rome, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with VP Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Zelenskyy criticized the Russian delegation in Istanbul, saying it lacked “decision-making power.”

Zelenskyy called for increased sanctions against Moscow and emphasized: “We must pressure Russia until it is willing to stop the war” — a position Trump has criticized. On several occasions, the U.S. president has publicly acknowledged that Ukraine is in a weak position in the negotiations.:

French President Emmanuel Macron and other European leaders supported Trump’s call for a 30-day cease-fire but insisted that Putin demonstrate a “real willingness for peace.” In the hours leading up to the call, Germany, France, the United Kingdom and Italy coordinated with Trump on a common position.

The Kremlin has repeatedly referred to veterans of the war in Ukraine as ‘the new elite of the country.’ Russia’s ruling party, United Russia, estimates that veterans of the war in Ukraine will hold 10% of deputy positions in the upcoming local and regional elections.

According to Alexander Sidyakin, head of United Russia’s executive committee, the party aims to establish a quota, though he acknowledged that it is an informal minimum not codified in any party documents.

“But we have decided this ourselves and are informally asking the regions to do the same. We all understand that this is our duty to these people,” he said.

A total of 21,400 people have applied to participate in United Russia’s primary elections, nearly 1,000 of whom served in the Russian military in Ukraine. Most of the applicants are seeking local-level positions. The Communist Party also announced that it will field candidates with combat experience on the Ukrainian front.

The Kremlin has repeatedly referred to veterans of the war in Ukraine as “the new elite of the country.” Some politicians and officials have attained veteran status by briefly joining the frontlines through special battalions that do not take an active part in combat.

In April, training courses were held for veterans interested in pursuing civil service positions in Russia. The program, called “Time of Heroes,” attracted nearly 50,000 registrants.

United Russia, whose president is former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, currently holds 2,682 of the 3,980 seats in regional parliaments and 321 of the 450 seats in the Lower House. Although President Vladimir Putin is not officially a member of the party, he has been its only presidential candidate since its founding, aside from Medvedev in 2008.