The First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba, Army General Raúl Castro Ruz, president of the Councils of State and Ministers, is presiding over the May Day parade in the Cuban capital city.»

Cuba and the European Union have begun a round of negotiations towards a political and cooperation accord in an effort to contribute to the normalization of bilateral relations.»

The Yomiuri Giants of Nippon Professional Baseball announced that it has a deal with Cuban outfielder Frederich Cepeda, a longtime star on the Cuban national team who will join the Giants next month. »

French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius announced that a representative from Paris will visit Havana in May to take part in the International Tourism Fair.»

France Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius begins this Saturday a visit to Cuba at the invitation of his counterpart Bruno Rodriguez, with whom he will hold official talks.»

Cuba’s Council of Ministers approved a salary increase for the health sector during a meeting on Wednesday headed by President Raul Castro.»

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro called on the opposition to return to a democratic and electoral role after five weeks of violent protests promoted by hardline leaders that have left 31 dead and over 400 injured, Xinhua news agency reported.»

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos on Wednesday dismissed Bogota Mayor Gustavo Petro after a court confirmed charges of disqualification and mismanagement against him.»

President Nicolas Maduro stressed on Monday what he described as the “incalculable assistance that Cuba gives Venezuela in caring for the health of the people in a deeply humanitarian and supportive gesture.”»

The candidate of the Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front, the FMLN) Salvador Sanchez Ceren has been declared the winner in El Salvador’s presidential runoff on Sunday, with 50.11 percent of the votes.»