Who is Kevin Marino Cabrera, Trump's Nominee For Ambassador to Panama Amid Canal Fees Dispute

President-elect Donald Trump has appointed Kevin Marino Cabrera, a Miami-Dade County commissioner, as the next U.S. ambassador to Panama. The announcement, made Wednesday, follows recent remarks by Trump suggesting the United States should reclaim control of the Panama Canal if Panama does not reduce fees for American ships.

Cabrera, a former Florida lobbyist and political operative, represents District 6 in Miami-Dade County and serves as vice chairman of its International Trade Consortium. He has a long-standing connection with Trump, having worked on the Trump 2020 campaign and receiving the president-elect's endorsement earlier this year during his bid for vice chair of the Florida Republican Party. Cabrera also represented Florida on the Republican National Committee platform committee in 2023, according to The New York Times.

"Few understand Latin American politics as well as Kevin," Trump said on social media. "He will do a FANTASTIC job representing our Nation's interests in Panama!" Trump has previously called Cabrera "a fearless America First Conservative" committed to the MAGA movement.

The appointment comes amid heightened rhetoric from Trump about the Panama Canal. Completed in 1914 and transferred to Panama's full control in 1999, the canal is a critical global shipping route connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Trump accused Panama of "ripping us off" and expressed concern about Chinese influence near the waterway, though China has no direct control over the canal itself.

Panama's President José Raúl Mulino Quintero responded to Trump's comments, emphasizing the canal's sovereignty. "Every square meter of the Panama Canal and its adjacent zone is part of Panama, and it will continue to be," he said in a video message this week.

Cabrera has not commented publicly on the canal dispute but expressed gratitude for the appointment, writing on social media, "Thank you, President Trump! I'm humbled and honored by your nomination to serve as the U.S. Ambassador to Panama. Let's get to work!"

In addition to Cabrera, Trump named two other ambassadors this week. John Arrigo, a Florida automotive executive and frequent Trump associate, was tapped as ambassador to Portugal, while philanthropist and former White House Commission member Somers Farkas was chosen for Malta.