Venezuelans voted Sunday in municipal elections. While President Hugo Chávez's Socialist Party won 17 of the 22 governorships up for grabs, the opposition chipped into his party's power grip by gaining the mayoralty of Caracas and other crucial posts.

Since July, commodity prices have contracted, threatening spending programs and fiscal policy in Venezuela in particular. But the Chávez government remains optimistic amid cautionary calls.

Leopoldo López Mendoza, mayor of the Chacao municipality of Caracas, was favored to win the mayoralty of the Venezuelan capital until he and hundreds of other candidates were banned from running in upcoming municipal elections. In an interview, López talks about the questionable legality of the ban and the threat posed to democracy in Venezuela.

As violent clashes die down in Bolivia, concern remains over deep political differences between supporters and opponents of President Evo Morales. Meanwhile, the unrest coincided with a diplomatic tit-for-tat involving Bolivia and Venezuela against the United States.

The arrival of Russian warplanes in Venezuela and plans for joint naval operations in the Caribbean raise eyebrows at a time of strained relations between Washington and Moscow. But the use of ships and aircraft dating from the Cold War may lessen potential threats.

Venezuela continues its trend of nationalizations, with the cement industry serving as the latest example. Meanwhile, a series of decrees and blacklisting of candidates in advance of November municipal elections appear designed to strengthen Chávez’s hand.

U.S.-Russia tensions escalate over a proposed missile shield in Eastern Europe, sparking rumors that Moscow plans to station bombers in Cuba. Though the origin and veracity of the story remain unclear, Russian leaders called for renewed ties with Cuba after the countries inked a recent oil deal.