Trump announces ambassador to Panama amid fight over canal

President-elect Trump on Wednesday announced Miami-Dade County Commissioner Kevin Marino Cabrera as his pick for U.S. ambassador to Panama.

The announcement comes as Trump is sparking a feud with the U.S. ally over 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 wrote in the Wednesday Truth Social post.

Trump last week began pushing the idea that the Panama Canal, which has been under Panamanian control since 1977 under a deal signed by former President Carter, should return to U.S. hands.

He complained of “exorbitant prices,” said the U.S. is “being ripped off,” and alleged China has undue influence over operations of the canal, which charges a fee for each vehicle that passes through. 

"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 back, reaffirming that Panama would remain in control of the canal.

"As President, I want to express precisely that every square meter of the Panama Canal and
its adjacent area belong to PANAMA, and will continue to be. The sovereignty and
independence of our country are not negotiable," Raul Mulino said in a statement.

"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 team have not defined the legal basis for the return of the canal.

Cabrera must figure out how to navigate a tension filled relationship with the country amid the president-elect's position 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.