Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov article highlights importance of Cuba to Russia “Commander Fidel has done much to advance bilateral relations and to promote the values of peace, freedom, truth and justice in international affairs. For many generations of Russians, his name is associated with selfless dedication to the Cuban people. I have very warm memories of my meetings with Fidel Castro, including the last one in 2014. The legendary Commander consistently came up with accurate assessments, an understanding of the nature of the events unfolding in the international arena, a wealth of knowledge, and a sharp mind.
“Cuba is Russia’s reliable foreign policy ally and top priority partner in Latin America. Our Cuban friends stand in solidarity with us on the vast majority of international issues. As members of the Group of Friends in Defence of the Charter of the United Nations, Moscow and Havana advocate for the consistent rather than selective use of the principles enshrined in this foundational UN document. We are grateful to Havana for its unfailing support amid the hybrid war being waged by the West against Russia. The Cuban leadership has repeatedly and rightly pointed to NATO’s longstanding expansion towards Russia’s borders as the root cause of the conflict over Ukraine.”
Cuban President Diaz-Canel: Aggressive and expansionist policies, like NATO’s, are the true cause of the conflict in Ukraine today Díaz-Canel Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel emphasized that the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s (NATO) aggressive policies are the true cause of the conflict in Ukraine and highlighted Russia’s resistance to the military bloc’s expansionism. Russia has demonstrated its ability to resist and maintain political and economic stability, despite NATO interference and Western sanctions.
Putin and Maduro sign significant Strategic Partnership On May 7, President Putin and President Maduro signed a strategic partnership agreement to expand cooperation across key sectors. As part of the agreement, Moscow and Caracas pledged to oppose unilateral sanctions, violations of the UN Charter, and manifestations of neo-colonialism. The document published on the Kremlin’s website outlines plans for cooperation on global and regional security, counterterrorism, and sets a long-term course for deeper ties in areas including the economy, energy, investment, mineral extraction, transport, telecommunications, healthcare, and culture. Russia and Venezuela are also to support Venezuela’s electric power industry to retrofit and enhance power generating capacities and the electricity transmission and distribution infrastructure. To evade sanctions restrictions, they are also examining an alternative system of oil transportation insurance and international recognition of insurance services, an issue that may have major repercussions for the maritime insurance and reinsurance industries.
TeleSur: President Nicolás Maduro met with Burkina Faso leader Ibrahim Traoré The meeting not only had profound symbolic value, but also geopolitical value, consolidating the commitment of both countries to solid and sovereign South-South cooperation, within the framework of the construction of a new multipolar world order. Both leaders emphasized the importance of building relations based on respect for international law and non-interference in internal affairs, which, according to Maduro, positions Burkina Faso as a key partner in the fight against unilateral coercive measures imposed by the United States against the country. Currently, both nations are negotiating 14 new projects. On February 7, 2024, Venezuela and Burkina Faso launched the First Joint Commission Meeting, where technical cooperation discussions advanced 22 projects.
Venezuelanalysis: Vice President Delcy Rodriguez Touts New Energy Investment Following Trip to China “China-Venezuela cooperation is becoming an extraordinary antidote to the criminal, imperialist economic war,” she said. “We discussed the importance of strengthening the ties of cooperation between our nations within the framework of the all-weather strategic partnership, in the face of a new world freed from [US] hegemony,” Venezuela is the first Latin American country to reach this level. As of March 2025, China was importing a record 400,000 barrels of oil per day from Venezuela, before Trump launched a 25% tariff on importers of Venezuelan oil. But China’s private refineries to import less Venezuelan crude in April amid sanctions.
China Daily: China Helps Cuba Fight Blackouts, Strengthen Power Grid Cuba may slowly ease its crippling blackouts and strengthen the electricity grid as it begins building seven solar parks with the first batch of equipment from China. The Chinese aid helps Cuba’s plan to build 92 solar installations by 2028, adding about 2,000 megawatts to the island’s power grid and reduce dependence on fossil fuel imports. Once completed, the project would significantly boost Cuba’s strained power system, with a capacity of 7,264 MW. Chinese cooperation in installing solar parks is extremely strategic, particularly in the energy sector.
Venezuelanalysis: Iran, Venezuela and Their Anti-Imperialist Alliance – Ali Faramarzi, Cultural Attaché at the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Caracas “There are four key elements that unite our peoples: First, both nations are proud of their history and culture. Second…we do not accept foreign domination or interference. Third, both Venezuela and Iran respect all peoples and all nations, and we ask for the same in return. Finally, both the governments of Venezuela and Iran and their peoples believe in the right of all countries to be free and sovereign. This is one of the reasons why we are both aligned with the Palestinian cause. The Zionist entity is a violent regime that seeks to annihilate the Palestinian people and we won’t stand by and watch.
I mentioned that Iran’s policy is to help nations that resist imperialism. Venezuela is one such nation: a friend and a sister. In the past, when President Chávez was alive and Iran was facing an energy crisis brought on by imperialist sanctions, Venezuela sent us oil tankers. That act of solidarity was courageous because in doing so, Venezuela risked sanctions. So when Venezuela faced its energy crisis due to the blockade, when people couldn’t get gasoline, we sent tankers full of fuel. Even though the US threatened to tighten the blockade against us and attack our ships, we didn’t back down. Helping Venezuela is our duty.
[The US empire’s] goal is to rule the world at any cost. They want to loot our resources, erase our cultures, and turn our governments into puppets. Any nation that resists will feel their wrath. That’s why sovereign nations must come together and form a new global pole of resistance. It’s the only way to defeat the monster. BRICS, which Iran recently joined, is a critical platform for countering imperialism. Being a BRICS member helps reduce the impact of sanctions on our country and allows us to build meaningful alliances.
ALBA-TCP condemns Israeli attack on the “Freedom Flotilla” The Bolivarian alliance (ALBA-TCP) strongly condemned an attack by Israel on the Freedom Flotilla, a humanitarian mission involving over 70 international activists from 20 countries. The coalition stated the flotilla’s goal was to deliver aid to Palestinians trapped in Gaza amid the ongoing genocide perpetrated by Tel Aviv. In a May 3 statement, ALBA-TCP accused “Israel” of repeatedly violating fundamental principles of international and humanitarian law by targeting a civilian-led solidarity initiative. “The world has witnessed the suffering of thousands of Palestinian families—men, women, and children—whom the inhumane Zionist regime of Israel has subjected to famine, war, pain, and, most recently, a slow and interminable genocide. The Occupying Power has demonstrated its disregard for all boundaries by attacking the Freedom Flotilla in international waters.”
Resumen Latinoamericano: Cuba: International Solidarity Conference Follows up Massive March of the People In a strong display of defiance and solidarity, over 5 million people marched in the cities of revolutionary Cuba this May 1. Through these impressive marches the Cuban people stood united and strong against the designs of the US to crush Cuba for its insistence that it will not succumb to imperialism or go back to the neo colonial status it had prior to 1959. The theme of solidarity continued at the same high level at the International Meeting of Solidarity with Cuba that took place at the Palace of the Conventions with 969 people, representing 269 organizations from 39 countries.
Orinoco Tribune: President Maduro Increases the Minimum Monthly Income by 23% He announced an increase in the monthly war bonus paid to public workers from US$90 to US$120 (indexed), bringing the monthly income to US$160, which represents a 23% increase. Pensions will increase from US$30 to US$50 per month. “This is an important adjustment, because the latest sanctions against our oil industry had the goal of strangling all our revenues,” President Maduro said, given the Trump administration’s recent escalation of coercive measures aimed at cutting off oil income.
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Events
Monday, May 12, 2:30pm ET Nicaragua Solidarity Coalition monthly meeting on Zoom. Email NicaraguaSolidarityCoalition@gmail.com for zoom access.
Sunday, May 18, 3 pm ET: Nicaraguan programs of maternal & child health: A cross-national comparison Speakers describe special programs that Nicaragua has put in place, such as the casas maternas for women about to give birth, to protect and enhance the health of mothers and their children. They will also compare health outcomes in Nicaragua and other nations, particularly the US.
May 30: Event with Cuban Embassy’s David Ramirez and Yasser Ibarra. At International Association of Machinists Hall at 7pm. 1261 Avalon Blvd. Wilmington, CA For more info, email LA.US.Handsoffcuba@gmail.com
May 31: Chicago Reportback from Cuba May Day delegations in person and online.
Sunday, June 22, 3 pm ET Nicaragua Webinar: Report-back from the recent official Veterans for Peace Delegation to Nicaragua, with Gerry Condon with other veterans.
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Delegations to Cuba, Nicaragua:
Cuba
Different Brigades and Solidarity Trips to Cuba
Witness to Peace delegations to Cuba
Friendly Planet delegations to Cuba
Nicaragua
Casa Ben Linder Email casabenjaminlinder@gmail.com to apply:
June 2025: Global Health: Family and Community Health in Nicaragua
July 2025: Solidarity in Action: Nicaragua’s Popular Revolution
November 2025: Salud & Solidaridad: Hands-On Healthcare in Nicaragua
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This is also available at ChicagoALBASolidarity.org. If you have events to publicize, send them to venezuelaweekly@afgj.org or stansfieldsmith100@gmail.com.
Chicago ALBA Solidarity 