Trump announces Kevin Cabrera as ambassador to Panama after canal warning

“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 said in a statement on Wednesday afternoon.

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Trump called Cabrera “a fierce fighter for America First principles,” saying, “few understand Latin American politics as well as Kevin.”

Trump took the opportunity to accuse Panama of “ripping off” the U.S. over the canal for the third time in less than a week. The country built the canal in the early 20th century and owned and operated it until turning it over to Panama in 1999.

Last weekend, Trump suggested the U.S. should retake the Panama Canal, which was immediately rejected by the government of Panama. Trump has accused the country of charging America “exorbitant rates” to use it and appeared to hint at Chinese influence over the waterway. 

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Trump called Panama’s fees “ridiculous” and “highly unfair” and said that if that didn’t change, “we will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to the United States of America in full, quickly and without question.”

In his announcement, Trump did not mention the return of the canal, but hinted Marino Cabrera “will do a FANTASTIC job representing our Nation’s interests in Panama!”