Low and slow, the enduring style of lowrider culture in photos

PASEDENA, Calif. (AP) — Born in Mexican American and Chicano communities of the American Southwest, lowrider culture has grown from neighborhood boulevards into a globally recognized form of automotive art.

Emerging in the 1940s and ’50s, enthusiasts transformed everyday cars with dazzling paint, gleaming chrome, plush interiors and hydraulic systems that allow the vehicles to glide “low and slow.”

Once misunderstood, the movement is now celebrated as a symbol of creativity, craftsmanship and cultural pride — even earning recognition from the U.S. Postal Service with a new series of forever stamps honoring the iconic cars.

This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.

Lowriders cruise at the 6th Annual Lady Lowrider Cruise Night in celebration of International Women's Day in Pasadena, Calif., on Sunday, March 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

A vintage lowrider is parked in front of a butcher's shop at the 6th Annual Lady Lowrider Cruise Night in celebration of International Women's Day in Pasadena, Calif., on Sunday, March 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Freehand and pinstriping artist Danny Alvarado, left, and customer Sandy Avila, pose with her 1966 Chevy Impala, at his in Monrovia, Calif., Tuesday, March 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Freehand pinstriping artist Danny Alvarado, left, with his assistant Clarence Spears, looks at sketches used for the new United States Postal Service lowriders stamps at his workshop in Monrovia, Calif., Tuesday, March 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Freehand and pinstriping artist Danny Alvarado works on a lowrider at his workshop in Monrovia, Calif., Tuesday, March 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Lowrider Jorge Trujillo, shows the batteries in his trunk at the workshop of freehand pinstriping artist Danny Alvarado in Monrovia, Calif., Tuesday, March 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Lowriders cruise at the 6th Annual Lady Lowrider Cruise Night in celebration of International Women's Day in Pasadena, Calif., on Sunday, March 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Tina L. Blankenship-Early rides her 1966 Chevrolet Caprice "Game Killa" at the 6th Annual Lady Lowrider Cruise Night in celebration of International Women's Day in Pasadena, Calif., on Sunday, March 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Lowriders cruise at the 6th Annual Lady Lowrider Cruise Night in celebration of International Women's Day in Pasadena, Calif., on Sunday, March 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

A toy lowrider is placed under a real one at the 6th Annual Lady Lowrider Cruise Night in celebration of International Women's Day in Pasadena, Calif., on Sunday, March 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Amber, a low rider, poses for a portrait at the 6th Annual Lady Lowrider Cruise Night in celebration of International Women's Day in Pasadena, Calif., on Sunday, March 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Sandy Avila, left, driving a 1966 Chevy Impala SS, high-fives a fellow lowrider at the 6th Annual Lady Lowrider Cruise Night in celebration of International Women's Day in Pasadena, Calif., on Sunday, March 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Sandy Avila, right, drives her 1966 Chevy Impala SS at the 6th Annual Lady Lowrider Cruise Night in celebration of International Women's Day in Pasadena, Calif., on Sunday, March 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

HAVANA (AP) — Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel said Friday that his government has held recent talks with the U.S., marking the first time the Caribbean country confirms such speculation.

He said the talks “were aimed at finding solutions through dialogue to the bilateral differences between our two nations. International factors facilitated these exchanges.”

He did not elaborate on those factors, or provide any details about the talks.

Díaz-Canel said no petroleum shipments have arrived on the island in the past three months, which he blamed on a U.S. energy blockade.

Cuba’s western region was hit by a massive blackout last week, leaving millions without power.

He said that Cuba, which produces 40% of its petroleum, has been generating its own power but that it hasn’t been sufficient to meet demand.

He said the lack of power has affected communications, education and transportation, and that the government has had to postpone surgeries for tens of thousands of people as a result.

“The impact is tremendous,” he said.

Díaz-Canel said more than 115 bakeries across the island have been converted to run on firewood or coal.

He added that 955 solar panels have been installed in rural homes and social centers, and that more solar systems will come online before the end of March that will add 100 megawatts to Cuba’s crumbling electric grid.

“Even with everything we’re putting together, we still need oil,” he said.

Díaz-Canel noted that production output also has dropped: “Without energy, no country can produce at normal levels. All of this has meant making adjustments to employment.”

Last month, Cuba implemented austere fuel-saving measures.

Díaz-Canel said that the purpose of the talks was to identify “bilateral problems that require solutions based on their severity and impact” and find solutions to them.

The president added that the aim was “to determine the willingness of both parties to take concrete actions for the benefit of the people of both countries. And in addition, to identify areas of cooperation to confront threats and guarantee the security and peace of both nations, as well as in the region.”

He noted that Cuba is willing to carry out the process on the basis of equality and respect for the countries’ political systems and for Cuba’s “sovereignty and self-determination.”

Critical oil shipments from Venezuela were halted after the U.S. attacked the South American country and arrested its leader.

The most recent blackout was blamed on a broken boiler at a thermoelectric plant that forced the shutdown of Cuba's power grid.

Authorities have noted that some thermoelectric plants have been operating for over 30 years and receive little maintenance given the high cost. U.S. sanctions also have prevented the government from buying new equipment and specialized parts, officials say.

Coto reported form San José, Costa Rica.

FILE - Cuba's President Miguel Diaz-Canel attends the 17th annual BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro, July 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres, File)