The newly appointed U.S. Ambassador to Panama has pledged to strengthen relations with this Central American country and has stated that China (CCP) poses a common threat to both the United States and Panama.
Ambassador Kevin Cabrera held a press conference at his residence on Thursday, May 8th, reiterating that “one of my primary tasks will be to enhance the cooperation between our two countries in the region, in order to collectively address various harmful influences, such as those coming from China (CCP).”
Cabrera arrived in Panama at the end of last month, a period during which tensions between Washington and Panama City had escalated.
Since taking office, President Trump has vowed to reclaim control of the canal handed over to Panama during the Jimmy Carter administration, believing it is crucial for the U.S. military to have strategic leverage in Panama and over the canal, especially to ensure unhindered access for American forces through the canal and to weaken Beijing’s influence over the Panama Canal.
On Thursday, Cabrera stated, “China is neither a good ally for Panama nor for our hemisphere,” and added that the U.S. and Panama will collaborate on combatting drug trafficking and enhancing security in the Panama Canal.
Currently, the United States and China’s struggle for influence in the Panama Canal is intensifying.
On April 26th, Trump reiterated the United States’ special position in the Panama Canal in a post on the Truth Social media platform, stating that U.S. warships and commercial vessels should be granted free passage through both the Panama Canal and the Suez Canal, asserting that “without U.S. support, these canals would not exist.” In response, the CCP increased scrutiny on the proposed sale of the Panama port by Hong Kong billionaire Sir Ka-shing Li to a consortium under BlackRock Inc., a U.S. financial group.
(Reference: Reuters)