U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has taken significant steps toward asserting control over the Panama Canal by nominating Kevin Marino Cabrera as the U.S. Ambassador to Panama.
According to a report by The New York Times (NYT) on Wednesday, Trump announced his nomination through a statement on Truth Social.
Trump described Cabrera as “a fierce fighter for America First principles.” He highlighted his crucial role in driving economic growth and fostering international partnerships. In 2020, Kevin did an incredible job as my Florida State Director and, this year, advanced our MAGA Agenda as a Member of the RNC Platform Committee,” he added.
This ambassadorial nomination came less than a week after Trump raised issues related to the Panama Canal. He has previously criticized Panama for imposing “outrageous fees” on the U.S. Navy and American shipping companies. He stated that the excessive fees would cease immediately, emphasizing that the Panama Canal symbolizes cooperation between the U.S. and Panama. He warned that if moral and legal principles were not upheld, he would demand the return of everything related to the Panama Canal.
Trump expressed disdain for Panama when he made the ambassadorial announcement: “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.”
According to the NYT, Trump’s interest in controlling the Panama Canal extends beyond addressing cost issues. He also aims to counter China’s expanding influence in Latin America.
Trump sarcastically wished everyone a Merry Christmas in a separate post: “Merry Christmas to all, including to the wonderful soldiers of China, who are lovingly, but illegally, operating the Panama Canal (where we lost 38,000 people in its building 110 years ago), always making certain that the United States puts in Billions of Dollars in ‘repair’ money, but will have absolutely nothing to say about ‘anything,'”
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