What's New
President-elect Donald Trump has announced Kevin Marino Cabrera will be his nomination for U.S. ambassador to Panama.
Why It's Important
Trump has made several comments in recent days regarding his intention to bring under U.S. control the Panama Canal, a major artificial waterway and vital shipping link connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, when he enters the White House in January 2025.
What To Know
Cabrera is the commissioner for Florida's Miami-Dade County and the vice chairman of its International Trade Consortium. He was previously involved with the failed Trump presidency campaign in 2020, and he was endorsed by the incoming president while campaigning for the role of vice chairman of the Florida Republican Party.
Cabrera also represented the Sunshine State on the Republican National Committee's platform committee.
After Trump's announcement on Christmas Day, Cabrera thanked him for the nomination in a post on X, formerly Twitter. His views on whether the U.S. should regain control of the canal are not publicly known. Newsweek has contacted Cabrera's office for comment via email outside of regular working hours.
Trump's desire to reclaim control of the canal has come amid several claims of wanting to expand U.S. territory, including taking Greenland from Denmark and even suggesting the annexation of neighboring Canada.
Giving his reasoning for wanting control of the Panama Canal, Trump claimed the country is "ripping off" American ships that pass through it, as well as alleging Chinese influence in the area. A report by U.K. newspaper The Guardian said some three-quarters of the cargo that is moved through the canal is from the U.S.
Panama's government has owned and operated the canal for 25 years, with it previously being either partially or fully under U.S. control since its construction in the early 20th century. Panama's President José Raúl Mulino Quintero has firmly rejected Trump's plans.
What People Are Saying
Trump said in a statement issued on Truth Social on Christmas Day: "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.
"Few understand Latin American politics as well as Kevin — He will do a FANTASTIC job representing our Nation's interests in Panama!"
Cabrera said on X: "Thank you, President Trump! I'm humbled and honored by your nomination to serve as the U.S. Ambassador to Panama. Let's get to work!"
Panama President José Raúl Mulino Quintero said in a video message posted on X on December 22: "As president, I want to express clearly that every square meter of the Panama Canal and its adjacent zone is part of Panama, and it will continue to be."
What's Next
Cabrera's appointment will need to be confirmed by Congress in January.
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About the writer
Aliss Higham
Aliss Higham is a Newsweek reporter based in Glasgow, Scotland. Her focus is reporting on issues across the U.S., including ...
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