Cuba is preparing to receive its first shipment of Russian oil this year, just days after the government announced it was operating on natural gas, solar power and thermoelectric plants as severe power outages continue to hit an island whose power grid is crumbling.

The top U.S. military commander for Latin America has met with Venezuela’s acting president in Caracas as both sides discuss security and policy goals.

The Marine Corps general tapped to lead U.S. military operations in Latin America says he's ready to oversee an expanded presence but isn't sure what the Trump administration has planned.