On December 25th, 2024, recently elected President of the United States, Donald Trump, nominated Kevin Marino Cabrera, the Mayor of Miami-Dade County, Florida, to be the U.S. Ambassador to Panama.
In a post on the “Truth Social” platform, Trump announced, “I am pleased to announce Kevin Marino Cabrera as the United States Ambassador to the Republic of Panama. This country is deceiving us on the Panama Canal, far beyond their wildest dreams.”
“Kevin is a staunch fighter for the ‘America First’ principle. As the Mayor of Miami-Dade County and Vice Chairman of the International Trade Alliance, he has played a crucial role in promoting economic growth and fostering international partnerships. In 2020, Kevin did an outstanding job as my Florida state director during the campaign, and this year, as a member of the Republican National Convention (RNC) platform committee, he advanced our ‘Make America Great Again’ (MAGA) agenda.”
“Few understand Latin American politics like Kevin, and he will represent our country’s interests excellently in Panama!”
Trump recently raised the idea of the U.S. reclaiming the Panama Canal. He stated that Panama’s authorities unfairly charge fees to American merchant and naval ships passing through, while he believes that China actually controls the Panama Canal.
On December 22nd, at the “Turning Point USA” rally in Phoenix, Arizona, Trump said, “When Jimmy Carter foolishly gave it (the Panama Canal) away, practically gave it away for a dollar, a dollar. During his term, (the U.S.) just let Panama run it themselves, not China or any other country. Look at what’s going on there, China’s in control.”
On the Truth Social platform, Trump wrote that Panama’s control of the critical trade route is a “complete ripoff” of the United States. Last Saturday, he wrote, “The fees Panama charges are ridiculous, very unfair, especially considering the extraordinary generosity extended by (the United States) to Panama. This will stop.”
On Christmas Day, Trump wished everyone a Merry Christmas, writing on the Truth Social platform, “Merry Christmas to everyone, including China’s terrific soldiers, who are filled with love but are illegally operating the Panama Canal (110 years ago, we lost 38,000 people in building the Panama Canal), (we) always ensure billions of dollars of ‘maintenance’ funds are poured into the U.S., but have nothing to say about anything.”
He stated that if Panama cannot lower the fees charged to U.S. ships, the U.S. may demand the return of the Panama Canal.