Who is Kevin Marino Cabrera? Trump picks Miami commissioner for ambassador to Panama
MIAMI - President-elect Donald Trump said on Christmas Day that he has selected Miami-Dade County Commissioner Kevin Marino Cabrera to become the next U.S. ambassador to Panama.
The announcement came as Trump is threatening to retake control of the Panama Canal because, according to him, the Central American nation is "ripping off" American ships that pass through the waterway.
"I think that Donald Trump made the right pick," said Rene García, who has worked at the Miami-Dade County Commission alongside 34-year-old Cabrera for the last two years.
Garcia said the Cuban American local politician is capable of the challenge in the international arena, "I think Kevin is the right person to try to renegotiate that and make sure he represents this country's interests in Panama."
Posting a message on his social network Truth Social, the president-elect said Cabrera will do a "FANTASTIC job representing our Nation's interests in Panama!"
"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 on Truth Social. "Few understand Latin American politics as well as Kevin - He will do a FANTASTIC job representing our Nation's interests in Panama!"
Trump has already made a series of staff picks before taking over as president for a second term on Jan. 20, 2025. Cabrera's nomination will require U.S. Senate confirmation.
Since 2022, Cabrera has been the county commissioner of District 6, which represents parts of Coral Gables, Hialeah and the City of Miami. With Trump's endorsement, Cabrera easily defeated Jorge Fors, then a Gables commissioner, in the 2022 race for the seat.
The remaining 12 county commissioners will name his replacement if the board opts not to call a special election to fill out the remaining two years in Cabrera's first term.
Kevin Marino Cabrera is the son of Cuban exiles
"As a first-generation American and the son of Cuban exiles, I am profoundly grateful for everything this country has given me," 34-year-old Cabrera said in a statement following Trump's announcement.
"Representing the United States abroad is a duty I take with the utmost pride. I look forward to the nomination process and engaging with the Senate to discuss my commitment to advancing America's interests on the global stage," he added.
"The new ambassador faces a critical mission there in trying to negotiate with lowering of the fees," said Eduardo Gamarra, a professor of International Relations at Florida International University (FIU).
He reiterates the U.S. and Panama signed a treaty in the 20th century that established the canal belonged to the Central American nation, though Trump said the U.S. should pay less for building the canal 110 years ago or retake it.
"I don't think the U.S. will invade Panama over fees. Now, it may force the Panamanian government to reduce the fees, but if the Panamanian government reduces the fees, it will most likely reduce the fees for everybody (not only the United States)."
Prior to being a Miami-Dade county commissioner, he was the Florida director of Trump's 2020 re-election campaign and is a former lobbyist.
In November, he sponsored an initiative that Miami-Dade would recognize Hialeah's creation of President Donald J. Trump Avenue. The county commission approved. Earlier this month, the commission overwhelmingly passed 9-1. the name change for the 4-mile road.
"Thank you, President Trump, for this incredible honor. I am eager and energized to join your administration as the next ambassador to Panama," Commissioner Cabrera said in his statement.
"I am committed to supporting President Trump's America First vision and will work tirelessly every day to uphold his bold approach to international diplomacy. Together, we will ensure that American strength, freedom, and leadership continue to shape a brighter future for all," Cabrera continued.
Trump called Panama Canal fees "ridiculous"
Trump has called the fees charged U.S. ships transiting the canal as "ridiculous" and warned the U.S. would take back the waterway if the costs don't go down.
"Merry Christmas to all, including to the wonderful soldiers of China, who are lovingly, but illegally, operating the Panama Canal (where we lost 38,000 people in its building 110 years ago), always making certain that the United States puts in Billions of Dollars in 'repair' money, but will have absolutely nothing to say about 'anything,'" Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Construction of the 51-mile Panama Canal, which joins the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, was started in 1904 and opened for use 10 years later.
The U.S. controlled the canal until 1977 when a series of treaties gradually transferred authority to Panama. Full control was handed over in 1999, after a period of joint administration.