appointed president Donald Trump on Wednesday named Miami-Dade County Commissioner Kevin Marino Cabrera to serve as ambassador to Panama.
Trump described Cabrera as “a staunch champion of America First Principles” who he said was instrumental in driving economic growth and fostering international partnerships.
“Few people understand Latin American politics as well as Kevin – he will do a fantastic job representing our Nation’s interests in Panama!” he said in a post about Social Truth.
The announcement of his ambassadorship comes after Trump announced that he was threatening to strengthen US control over the Panama Canal, which he managed for decades before Panama handed it over in 1999.
Trump said the Central American country, with which the US has had diplomatic relations since 1903, “will cut us off on the Panama Canal, far beyond their wildest dreams.”
In a post about Social Truth on Wednesday, Trump accused the Chinese military of working illegally and “always making sure that the United States of America spends billions of dollars in “repair” money but will have absolutely nothing to say about “anything”.
The President of Panama, José Raúl Mulino, said that China had no influence in the management of the canal.
China does not control or manage the canal, but a subsidiary of Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison Holdings has long managed two ports located at the entrance to the Caribbean and Pacific canal.