WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - A century after fueling Panama separatism, US economic interests still aggressively dominate the region, including Venezuela, analysts told Sputnik ahead of the 100-year anniversary of the dedication of the Panama canal.

BRUSSELS (Sputnik) - The European Union regrets the Turkish decision to transform Istanbul's Hagia Sophia cathedral into a mosque, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell said on Friday.

BUENOS AIRES (Sputnik) - Bolivia's interim President Jeanine Anez, diagnosed with COVID-19, shows no symptoms of the disease, her attending physician Andrei Miranda said on Friday.

The announcement comes just days after Bolivian Health Minister Eydi Roca tested positive for the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Protesters are demanding better economic conditions and rallying against the government's expropriation of the giant agricultural group Vicentin.

With the world's second highest number of coronavirus infections, and reporting over 68,000 COVID-19 related fatalities, the Brazilian government’s response and seemingly laissez-faire attitude to the pandemic, has been heavily criticized by local activists and the country’s neighbours, including Venezuela and Argentina.

More than 70 accounts used to spread divisive messages are said to be linked to employees of Brazilian President Bolsonaro, his two sons, and allied lawmakers. The president is yet to comment on the accusations, which come as his supporters are being investigated for spreading “fake news and threats” against the judiciary.

The Mexican leader arrived in Washington DC to celebrate the launch of the US-Mexico-Canada-Agreement, which went into effect on 1 July and replaced the North American Free Trade Agreement.

According to preliminary information, the pilot on board died, while media reports say at least three people were injured by the aircraft as it crashed, catching fire.

BUENOS AIRES (Sputnik) - The Russian embassy in Guatemala together with the Russian Direct Investment Fund will hold a presentation of the Avifavir medication against COVID-19 for Latin America and the Caribbean on 10 July, the embassy said on Wednesday.

MEXICO CITY (Sputnik) - The Strategic Command Operations of the Bolivarian National Armed Forces said on Wednesday it had "neutralized" an aircraft with a US serial identification number as it violated the country's airspace.

Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro confirmed to reporters in Brasilia on Tuesday that his latest coronavirus test had come back positive, adding that a recent X-ray had revealed his lungs "were beautiful."

The factory in São Bernardo do Campo for manufacturing Gripen E/F fighter jets is Saab's first outside of Sweden's borders. The parts produced there will be used for aircraft to be delivered to the Brazilian Air Force, which is en route to becoming one of the leading Gripen users.

The offending tweet was sent out by Vanessa Neumann, a Venezuelan-American socialite and former Mick Jagger girlfriend tasked with representing self-proclaimed ‘interim president’ Juan Guaido in the UK.

On Monday, reports emerged that Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro had been experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and was awaiting his corona-test results, which were due the next day.

In late June, media reported that Bolsonaro might have contracted the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) after the Brazilian leader was captured without a protective mask at public gatherings.

MEXICO CITY (Sputnik) - Mexico confirmed nearly 7,000 new coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours and over 500 new coronavirus-related deaths, with the country’s total COVID-19 death toll now being the fifth largest in the world, according to Health Ministry data.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Mexican government may be downplaying tens of thousands of deaths from official coronavirus statistics, the Financial Times reported on Saturday, citing a compilation of independent studies.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Moscow considers the London High Court's ruling to deny Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's right to withdraw Venezuela's UK-stored gold assets outrageous, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Saturday.

As Bolivia braces for long overdue snap elections, the political fight is intensifying, says Alberto Echazu, a journalist with La Resistencia Bolivia, explaining how the Anez government is trying to disrupt the MAS election bid and putting the country on the neo-liberal track previously avoided and denounced by ex-President Evo Morales.