Trump picks Miami-Dade County Commissioner Kevin Marino Cabrera for Panama ambassador

President-elect Trump picked Miami-Dade County Commissioner Kevin Marino Cabrera to serve as ambassador to Panama.

Calling the Miami-Dade County Commissioner a ‘fierce fighter,’ Trump said that he would advance the ‘MAGA agenda’ to the Central American country.

‘Kevin is a fierce fighter for America First principles. As a Miami-Dade County Commissioner, and Vice Chairman of the International Trade Consortium, he has been instrumental in driving Economic growth, and fostering International partnerships,’ Trump wrote in the Wednesday announcement. ‘In 2020, Kevin did an incredible job as my Florida State Director and, this year, advanced our MAGA Agenda as a Member of the RNC Platform Committee.’

‘Few understand Latin American politics as well as Kevin – He will do a FANTASTIC job representing our Nation’s interests in Panama!’ he said.

The announcement came after Trump said that Panama was ‘a Country that is ripping us off on the Panama Canal, far beyond their wildest dreams.’

In a post on Truth Social on Wednesday, Trump also accused Chinese soldiers of illegally operating the canal and ‘always making certain that the United States puts in Billions of Dollars in ‘repair’ money but will have absolutely nothing to say about ‘anything.”

In a statement on X, Cabrera thanked Trump for the nomination.

‘I’m humbled and honored by your nomination to serve as the U.S. Ambassador to Panama,’ he wrote. ‘Let’s get to work!’

Cabrera won his county election two years ago following an endorsement by Trump. 

He also served as the Florida state director for Trump’s 2020 campaign and was a member of the RNC Platform Committee.