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

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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.  Fuel your success with Forbes. Gain unlimited access to premium journalism, including breaking news, groundbreaking in-depth reported stories, daily digests and more. Plus, members get a front-row seat at members-only events with leading thinkers and doers, access to premium video that can help you get ahead, an ad-light experience, early access to select products including NFT drops and more:  https://account.forbes.com/membership/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=display&utm_campaign=growth_non-sub_paid_subscribe_ytdescript   Stay Connected Forbes on Facebook: http://fb.com/forbes Forbes Video on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/forbes Forbes Video on Instagram: http://instagram.com/forbes More From Forbes:  http://forbes.com

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.

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