Written by Jasper Ward
(Reuters) – US President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday nominated Miami-Dade County Commissioner Kevin Marino Cabrera to serve as ambassador to Panama.
Trump described Cabrera as a “fierce fighter for the principles of America First” and said he was instrumental in driving economic growth and strengthening international partnerships.
“Few people understand Latin American politics like Kevin – he will do a great job representing our nation's interests in Panama!” he said in a post on Truth Social.
The announcement of his selection for the ambassadorial position comes after Trump threatened to reassert US control over the Panama Canal, which it operated for decades before handing it over to Panama in 1999.
Trump said the Central American country, with which the United States has had diplomatic relations since 1903, is “stealing us from the Panama Canal, far beyond their wildest dreams.”
In a post on Truth Social on Wednesday, Trump accused Chinese soldiers of running the canal illegally and “always making sure the US invests billions of dollars in 'reform' money but will never have anything to say about 'anything.'”
Panama President Jose Raul Molino said China has no influence on the management of the canal.
China does not control or operate the canal, but a subsidiary of Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison Holdings has long operated two ports located on the canal's approaches to the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean.
