President-elect Trump on Wednesday introduced Miami-Dade County Commissioner Kevin Marino Cabrera as his decide for U.S. ambassador to Panama.
The announcement comes as Trump is sparking a feud with the U.S. ally over management 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 wrote within the Wednesday Reality Social publish.
Trump final week started pushing the concept that the Panama Canal, which has been beneath Panamanian management since 1977 beneath a deal signed by former President Carter, ought to return to U.S. arms.
He complained of “exorbitant prices,” stated the U.S. is “being ripped off,” and alleged China has undue affect over operations of the canal, which expenses a payment for every car that passes via.
“It was given to Panama and to the people of Panama, but it has provisions, you gotta treat us fairly and they haven’t treated us fairly,” Trump said at Turning Point’s “American Fest.”
“If the principles, both moral and legal, of this magnanimous gesture of giving are not followed, then we will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to the United States of America in full, quickly and without question,” he continued.
Panama President José Raul Mulino swiftly pushed again, reaffirming that Panama would stay accountable for the canal.
“As President, I want to express precisely that every square meter of the Panama Canal andits adjacent area belong to PANAMA, and will continue to be. The sovereignty andindependence of our country are not negotiable,” Raul Mulino stated in a press release.
“Every Panamanian, here or anywhere in the world, carries it in their heart, and it is part of our history of struggle and an irreversible conquest.”
Trump and his transition group haven’t outlined the authorized foundation for the return of the canal.
Cabrera should work out the way to navigate a pressure crammed relationship with the nation amid the president-elect’s place on the waterway. Trump has already set expectations for the incoming ambassador, declaring him a fighter for “America First principles.”
“Few understand Latin American politics as well as Kevin – He will do a FANTASTIC job representing our Nation’s interests in Panama,” Trump added.
