President-elect Trump on Wednesday announced Miami-Dade County Commissioner Kevin Marino Cabrera as his pick for U.S. ambassador to Panama.
The announcement comes as Trump is sparking a feud with the U.S. ally over control of the Panama Canal.
Panama President José Raul Mulino swiftly pushed back, reaffirming that Panama would remain in control of the canal.
“As President, I want to express precisely that every square meter of the Panama Canal and its adjacent area belong to PANAMA, and will continue to be.
Trump has already set expectations for the incoming ambassador, declaring him a fighter for “America First principles.” “Few understand Latin American politics as well as Kevin – He will do a FANTASTIC job representing our Nation’s interests in Panama,” Trump added.
Trump declared Miami-Dade County Commissioner Kevin Marino Cabrera as his choice for U.S. president on Wednesday. A. Panamanian ambassador.
At the same time that Trump is igniting a conflict with the U.S. S. ally over the Panama Canal’s control.
In the Wednesday Truth Social post, Trump wrote, “I am happy 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 started advocating last week for the return of the Panama Canal to the United States, which has been under Panamanian control since 1977 as a result of an agreement signed by former President Carter. S. hands.
The U said he was complaining about “exorbitant prices.”. S. . is “being ripped off” and claimed China has excessive control over the canal’s operations, which impose a fee on each vehicle that uses it.
Trump stated at Turning Point’s “American Fest” that “it was given to Panama and the people of Panama, but it has provisions; you gotta treat us fairly and they haven’t treated us fairly.”. “.”.
He went on, “We will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to the United States of America in full, quickly, and without question if the moral and legal principles of this generous gesture of giving are not followed.”.
José Raul Mulino, the president of Panama, quickly resisted, stating that Panama would continue to control the canal.
“As President, I want to express precisely that every square meter of the Panama Canal and.
Its neighboring land is and will remain part of PANAMA. the sovereignty as well as…
Raul Mulino declared in a statement that “our country’s independence is not negotiable.”.
“It is a part of our history of struggle and an irrevocable conquest, and it is carried in the hearts of every Panamanian, here or anywhere else in the world. “”.
The legal foundation for the canal’s return has not been established by Trump and his transition team.
The president-elect’s position on the waterway presents Cabrera with a challenging relationship with the nation that he must manage. As a champion of “America First principles,” Trump has already set high standards for the new ambassador. “”.
Trump continued, “Kevin will do an AMAZING job representing our Nation’s interests in Panama. Few understand Latin American politics as well as Kevin.”.
