Trump Appoints Ambassador to Panama After Taunting the Country
Kevin Marino Cabrera's appointment follows the president-elect's multiple threats to reclaim control of the Panama Canal.
TroibNews 
Donald Trump has appointed Miami-Dade Commissioner Kevin Marino Cabrera as the United States Ambassador to Panama, announced on Wednesday. This decision follows the president-elect's recent assertions about reclaiming the Panama Canal.
“I am pleased to announce that Kevin Marino Cabrera will serve as the United States Ambassador to the Republic of Panama, a Country that is ripping us off on the Panama Canal, far beyond their wildest dreams,” Trump stated on Truth Social on Wednesday afternoon, further remarking: “Few understand Latin American politics as well as Kevin.”
Cabrera, who played a key role as state director for Trump's 2020 Florida reelection campaign, is also the vice chair of Miami-Dade’s International Trade Consortium.
Trump’s choice of Cabrera follows a series of his statements threatening to retake the Panama Canal, asserting that the United States is being “ripped off” and that American vessels pay excessive fees to pass through this important waterway.
In response, Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino challenged Trump’s assertions on Sunday, stressing that the canal will remain under Panama’s control. He stated: “The sovereignty and independence of our country is non-negotiable.”
The Panama Canal, an essential trade route that was originally constructed by the United States, has been under the control of Panama since 1999, following two treaties signed under the Carter administration with then-Panamanian dictator Omar Torrijos in 1977. These treaties were established during a time of significant tensions regarding the canal. Under the Torrijos-Carter Treaties, Panama was to gain full control of the waterway, which connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, while the U.S. retained the right to defend the canal from threats to its neutrality. However, analysts contend that these treaties do not provide any legal grounds for the U.S. to reclaim control of the canal.
The appointment is awaiting Senate confirmation.
Olivia Brown contributed to this report for TROIB News
“I am pleased to announce that Kevin Marino Cabrera will serve as the United States Ambassador to the Republic of Panama, a Country that is ripping us off on the Panama Canal, far beyond their wildest dreams,” Trump stated on Truth Social on Wednesday afternoon, further remarking: “Few understand Latin American politics as well as Kevin.”
Cabrera, who played a key role as state director for Trump's 2020 Florida reelection campaign, is also the vice chair of Miami-Dade’s International Trade Consortium.
Trump’s choice of Cabrera follows a series of his statements threatening to retake the Panama Canal, asserting that the United States is being “ripped off” and that American vessels pay excessive fees to pass through this important waterway.
In response, Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino challenged Trump’s assertions on Sunday, stressing that the canal will remain under Panama’s control. He stated: “The sovereignty and independence of our country is non-negotiable.”
The Panama Canal, an essential trade route that was originally constructed by the United States, has been under the control of Panama since 1999, following two treaties signed under the Carter administration with then-Panamanian dictator Omar Torrijos in 1977. These treaties were established during a time of significant tensions regarding the canal. Under the Torrijos-Carter Treaties, Panama was to gain full control of the waterway, which connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, while the U.S. retained the right to defend the canal from threats to its neutrality. However, analysts contend that these treaties do not provide any legal grounds for the U.S. to reclaim control of the canal.
The appointment is awaiting Senate confirmation.
Olivia Brown contributed to this report for TROIB News
