PANAMA CITY (Reuters) – The United States’ new ambassador to Panama pledged on Thursday to strengthen ties with the Central American country while pushing China as a common threat.
“First among my priorities will be to strengthen our joint work to counter harmful influences in the region, such as that of China,” Ambassador Kevin Cabrera said during a press conference at his official residence.
Cabrera arrived in the country late last month following an escalation of tensions between Washington and Panama City.
China’s presence in Panama has been a point of a criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has said his administration would “take back” the Panama Canal from Chinese influence.
“China is not a good ally neither for Panama nor for our hemisphere,” Cabrera said on Thursday, adding that the two countries would collaborate on issues of drug trafficking and to boost security at the Panama Canal.
(Reporting by Elida Moreno; Additional reporting by Raul Cortes Fernandez; Writing by Brendan O’Boyle; Editing by Natalia Siniawski)
