Panama Ambassador Nom Kevin Cabrera Underscores Importance Of Ensuring Panama Canal's 'Neutrality'

4/1/2025

During a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing last week, Trump's Panama Ambassador nominee, Kevin Cabrera, spoke about the strategic value of the Panama Canal.

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Transcript

00:00Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

00:03Chairman Rich, Ranking Member Shaheen, and distinguished committee members, it is an

00:07honor to be here with you today.

00:08I'm grateful to President Trump for nominating me to be the next U.S. Ambassador to the Republic

00:12of Panama, and Secretary Rubio for his support throughout the process.

00:17With your concurrence and approval, I look forward to beginning my work in Panama and

00:20serving the people of the United States of America.

00:23I appreciate the opportunities I've had to meet with many of you and discuss our bilateral

00:28relationship with Panama.

00:30I take this opportunity to serve as ambassador with great seriousness, humility, and clarity

00:34of purpose.

00:36If confirmed, I look forward to continuing our dialogue on national politics and ensuring

00:40our country's strengths and partnerships with Panama.

00:44As a proud first-generation American and son of Cuban exiles, I carry a deep appreciation

00:49for the opportunities this country has given me and my family.

00:52My family's journey from hardship and oppression to freedom and success has shaped my values

00:57and reinforced my commitment to the ideals of liberty and democracy.

01:01This personal history instills in me a profound sense of duty to uphold these principles and

01:06work for our nation's interests.

01:08From day one, President Trump has made it clear that U.S. foreign policy must always

01:12prioritize the interests of America and its citizens.

01:15His America First policy directive reaffirmed our commitment to achieving peace through

01:20strength while ensuring that our diplomacy reflects U.S. values, sovereignty, and security.

01:25As I sit here before you today, I recall Secretary Rubio's confirmation hearing where

01:30he outlined a clear and principled vision for U.S. foreign policy, one rooted in strength,

01:36purpose, and accountability.

01:38He framed it around three fundamental questions.

01:41Does this make America stronger?

01:43Does this make America safer?

01:45And does this make America more prosperous?

01:48These questions reflect a core mission of American diplomacy.

01:51They serve as a guiding framework that I fully embrace.

01:54I take this charge seriously knowing that representing the United States abroad is both

01:58a privilege and a solemn duty.

02:01My mother, a woman of faith, who is with us today, always reminded me that to whom much

02:05is given, much is expected.

02:07Her wisdom and resilience have shaped my approach to service.

02:11She has taught me that faith and hard work can overcome even the greatest obstacles,

02:15and a lesson I always carry forward.

02:18The U.S.-Panama bilateral relationship is of paramount importance, rooted in shared

02:22values and mutual interest.

02:25Our partnership spans a wide range of areas, including shared security concerns, immigration

02:30cooperation, and economic engagement.

02:33This relationship is vital to the stability and prosperity of the Western Hemisphere.

02:37One of the key aspects of our cooperation is ensuring the security of the Panama Canal,

02:41a critical international waterway that facilitates global trade and economic growth.

02:47Our collaborative efforts with Panama to maintain the canal's neutrality and security are essential

02:51for safeguarding this strategic asset.

02:54Recent actions, such as Panama's decision to exit the Belt and Road Initiative and audit

02:59the port concessions, demonstrate their commitment to this shared goal.

03:04Immigration cooperation is another cornerstone of our bilateral relationship.

03:08Both nations face challenges related to illegal immigration and transnational criminal activity.

03:13By working together, we can develop effective strategies to manage immigration flows, combat

03:19human trafficking, and enhance border security, while contributing to long-term regional

03:23stability.

03:25Economic engagement between the United States and Panama is also a critical component of

03:29this partnership.

03:30The U.S. investments in Panama support energy production, infrastructure development, and

03:34foster economic resilience and growth, while working to enhance supply chain resiliency

03:41and further strengthening our economic ties and benefiting both nations.

03:46Throughout my career, I've worked across party lines to advance policies that benefit

03:50our community.

03:51As an elected official, I have worked with and today have the support of Democrat leaders,

03:55including the Mayor of Miami-Dade County, Daniela LaVincaba, former Minority Leader

03:59of the Florida House of Representatives, Keoni McGee, who's with us here today, and former

04:03Minority Leader of the Florida Senate, Oscar Brannon.

04:06These partnerships demonstrate my ability to build consensus and to work in the best

04:11interests of the people we serve.

04:14I would bring this same spirit of collaboration to my role as Ambassador, ensuring that our

04:19foreign policy remains a unifying force for American interests.

04:23Mr. Chairman, Ranking Member, and members of this committee, our relationship with Panama

04:28has a direct impact on our safety, security, and the prosperity of American people.

04:33As Ambassador, it would be my honor to protect American citizens and promote U.S. economic

04:37interest.

04:38I recognize the obligation of implementing these strategies and the policies of the United

04:42States, and I recognize the responsibilities that I have to the Constitution of the United

04:46States, the President, Secretary Rubio, and to Congress members of the United States.

04:52Thank you very much for your time, and I look forward to answering your questions.

Panama Ambassador Nom Kevin Cabrera Underscores Importance Of Ensuring Panama Canal's 'Neutrality'

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