President-elect Donald Trump announced his pick for American ambassador to Panama, days after suggesting that the United States 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, a Country that is ripping us off on the Panama Canal, far beyond their wildest dreams,” Trump posted on the social media platform Truth Social late Wednesday.
“Few understand Latin American politics as well as Kevin — He will do a FANTASTIC job representing our Nation’s interests in Panama!” he added.
Cabrera, a native of Miami, won his county election two years ago. A steadfast Trump loyalist, he previously served as the Florida state director for Trump’s 2020 campaign and as a member of the Republican National Committee Platform Committee.
According to his official page, he was born to Cuban exiles 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 that the U.S. should expand its territory by taking control of the waterway, along with Greenland and Canada.
On Truth Social, Trump wished a Merry Christmas to all, “including to the wonderful soldiers of China, who are lovingly, but illegally, operating the Panama Canal.”
Panama’s President, José Raúl Mulino, has repeatedly pushed back against Trump’s statements by emphasizing that the canal is an integral part of the country.
“The sovereignty and independence of our country is non-negotiable,” Mulino stated in a video posted to social media last weekend.
The Panama Canal is a critical trade route that was originally built by the United States in 1904.
The waterway has been under the control of Panama since 1999 after negotiations between the Carter administration and the Panamanian dictator Omar Torrijos in 1977 led to the establishment of two treaties.
The Panama Canal Authority, an independent government agency, administers the canal today.
In recent years, China has attempted 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 suggested once again that the United States could annex Canada.
“If Canada was to become our 51st State, their Taxes would be cut by more than 60%, their businesses would immediately double in size, and they would be militarily protected like no other Country anywhere in the World,” he said.
Trump continued his post by addressing “the people of Greenland, which is needed by the United States for National Security purposes and, who want the U.S. to be there, and we will!”
In response, Greenland’s Prime Minister Múte Egede told Trump in a written comment on Dec. 23 that the Danish territory is “not for sale and will never be for sale,” according to Reuters.
