President-elect Donald Trump announced his pick for US ambassador to Panama, days after suggesting that the US should take control of the Panama Canal.
“I am pleased to announce that Kevin Marino Cabrera will serve as the United States Ambassador to the Republic of Panama, the country that is plundering us in the Panama Canal, beyond their wildest dreams,” Trump said. to publish on the social media platform Truth Social late Wednesday.
“Few people understand Latin American politics as well as Kevin – he will do a great job representing our nation’s interests in Panama!” He added.
Cabrera, a Miami native, won county election two years ago. A staunch Trump loyalist, he previously served as Florida state director for Trump’s 2020 campaign and as a member of the Republican National Committee’s platform committee.
According to him Official pageHe was born to Cuban parents in exile and graduated from Miami-Dade College and Florida International University.
His appointment is subject to Senate confirmation.
Trump’s announcement comes after he mentioned the Panama Canal in a series of lengthy social media posts over Christmas Day, and suggested the US could expand its territory by taking control of the waterway, along with Greenland and Canada.
On Truth Social, Trump wished everyone a Merry Christmas, “including China’s wonderful soldiers, who lovingly, but illegally, run the Panama Canal.”
Panama’s president, José Raul Molino, has repeatedly contradicted Trump’s statements by emphasizing that the canal is an integral part of the country.
“The sovereignty and independence of our country are non-negotiable,” Molyneux said in a video posted on social media last weekend.
The Panama Canal is an important trade route originally built by the United States in 1904.
The waterway has been under Panama’s control since 1999, after negotiations between the Carter administration and Panamanian dictator Omar Torrijos in 1977 led to the conclusion of two treaties.
The Panama Canal Authority, an independent government agency, operates the canal today.
In recent years, China has tried to expand its influence there through infrastructure projects that include a convention center on the Pacific side of the canal, and two ports operated by a Hong Kong-based contractor.
Trump also mocked Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, whom he referred to as “Governor,” and again suggested that the United States could annex Canada.
“If Canada became our 51st state, its taxes would be reduced by more than 60%, its business would immediately double in size, and it would enjoy military protection unparalleled by any other country anywhere in the world,” he said.
Trump continued his post by addressing “the people of Greenland, who the United States needs for national security purposes, and who want the United States to be there, and we will do it!”
In response, Greenland’s Prime Minister Mot Egede told Trump in a written comment on December 23 that Danish territory “is not for sale and will never be for sale,” according to Reuters.
