The newly elected President, Donald Trump, has announced on Christmas Day that Kevin Marino Cabrera, a Miami-Dade County Commissioner, has been appointed as the next U.S. ambassador to Panama. The announcement comes amidst Trump’s claims of Panama exploiting American ships passing through the Panama Canal.
Trump’s decision to select Cabrera has been welcomed by many, including Rene Garcia, a co-worker at Miami-Dade County Commission, who praised Cabrera’s understanding of Latin American politics. Cabrera will be responsible for renegotiating the Panama Canal’s fees, which Trump finds excessive.
In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump expressed his confidence in Cabrera, stating that he will do a “fantastic job” representing U.S. interests in Panama. Cabrera’s nomination is pending confirmation by the U.S. Senate.
Since 2022, Cabrera has served as the county commissioner for District 6, which represents parts of Coral Gables, Hialeah, and the City of Miami. If Cabrera’s nomination is confirmed, the remaining 12 county commissioners will decide on his replacement or call for a special election.
Cabrera, a first-generation American and the son of Cuban exiles, expressed his gratitude for this opportunity and commitment to advancing America’s interests globally. He believes that representing the United States abroad is a duty he takes with great pride.
As the new ambassador, Cabrera will face the task of negotiating lower canal fees. Trump has previously voiced his dissatisfaction with the fees, even suggesting that the U.S. should retake the canal or pay less for its construction 110 years ago.
Before his role as a Miami-Dade county commissioner, Cabrera was the Florida director of Trump’s 2020 re-election campaign and a former lobbyist. He recently spearheaded an initiative to recognize Hialeah’s creation of President Donald J. Trump Avenue, which was approved by the county commission.
In his statement, Cabrera expressed his eagerness to join the Trump administration and support the President’s America First vision. He is committed to upholding Trump’s bold approach to international diplomacy and ensuring American strength and leadership continue to shape a brighter future.
Trump has criticized the Panama Canal fees as “ridiculous” and warned that the U.S. would retake the waterway if costs don’t decrease. The Panama Canal, a 51-mile long waterway connecting the Atlantic and the Pacific oceans, was constructed in 1904 and opened for use in 1914. The U.S. controlled the canal until 1977 when a series of treaties transferred authority to Panama, with full control handed over in 1999.
