Latin America

Rio City Hall expects about 6 million revelers to participate in the raucous street parties, where groups made up of musicians, percussionists and stilt artists draw thousands of partygoers.

The ships arrived two weeks after President Donald Trump threatened tariffs on any country selling or providing oil to Cuba.

Delcy Rodríguez, who was highly critical of Maduro's capture, has since relented to U.S. pressure and demands.

Trump recently threatened to impose tariffs on any country that sells or provides oil to Cuba and has said the country is on the verge of collapse.

The ruling followed an audit by Panama’s comptroller that alleged irregularities in the 25-year extension of the concession granted to a subsidiary of Hong Kong’s CK Hutchison Holdings.

At the same time, the U.S. officially began to ease punishing economic sanctions on Venezuelan oil.

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez condemned the executive order, calling it a "brutal act of aggression against Cuba and its people."

The Ecuadorian Foreign Ministry said it had issued “a note of protest” to the U.S. Embassy in Ecuador.

Human rights groups in Venezuela have accused the government of inflating the number of freed prisoners.

U.S. Southern Command said the Liberian-flagged Motor Vessel Sagitta was apprehended “without incident” and was taking oil from Venezuela in defiance of sanctions.

It's the third time in less than a year that Mexico has sent detained cartel members to the U.S. as the country tries to offset mounting threats by President Donald Trump.