The Panama Canal is in the eye of the storm
Donald Trump’s expansionist rhetoric poses a direct threat to the maritime corridor that serves as the Central American nation’s primary source of income
Trump’s foreign policy combines theatrics with threats. The theatrics include treating Canada as the 51st state and referring to its prime minister as “Governor Trudeau.” And the threat centers on taking back control of the Panama Canal — a vital waterway connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, saving ships an additional 8,000 miles around the perilous tip of South America.
A rookie in charge
Donald Trump’s latest move has left Panama uneasy. The president-elect has chosen Kevin Marino Cabrera as ambassador to the country — a decision widely seen as a provocation. Cabrera, 34, has no prior experience in international diplomacy. Until now, he served as a commissioner for Miami-Dade County and is known primarily as a staunch supporter of Trump’s MAGA agenda and a close ally of the president.
Panama is also grappling with a growing migration crisis. In 2024, more than 500,000 migrants — mostly from Venezuela and Colombia — crossed its borders. This unprecedented influx poses serious risks to the delicate ecosystem of the famous Tapón del Darién forest, a critical natural barrier between Central and South America.
