Trump appoints new U.S. ambassador to Panama amid canal fee disputes
bbc.com —
President-elect Donald Trump has appointed Kevin Marino Cabrera as the new U.S. ambassador to Panama. This announcement follows Trump's recent threats to reclaim the Panama Canal, claiming the U.S. is being unfairly charged high shipping fees. Trump has criticized Panama's shipping fees, stating they are "ridiculous" and "highly unfair." He warned that if rates do not decrease, the U.S. will demand the canal's return. Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino asserted that the canal belongs to Panama. The Panama Canal, which connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, was under U.S. control until 1999. Recent increases in transit costs are attributed to a historic drought affecting shipping operations.