On Wednesday, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump nominated Miami-Dade County Commissioner Kevin Marino Cabrera to serve as the next U.S. ambassador to Panama. Trump praised Cabrera, calling him “a fierce fighter for America First principles” and highlighting his role in driving economic growth and fostering international partnerships.

“Few understand Latin American politics as well as Kevin—He will do a FANTASTIC job representing our nation’s interests in Panama!” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.

The announcement of Cabrera’s nomination follows Trump’s recent remarks about reasserting U.S. control over the Panama Canal, a vital waterway the U.S. administered until it was handed over to Panama in 1999. Trump criticized Panama, saying the country was “ripping us off on the Panama Canal, far beyond their wildest dreams.”

In his post, Trump also accused Chinese soldiers of illegally operating the canal and suggested that the U.S. had been pouring billions of dollars into canal repairs without influence over its operations. However, Panama’s President, Jose Raul Mulino, has stated that China has no control over the canal’s administration. While China does not manage the canal, a subsidiary of Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison Holdings has long operated two ports located at the Caribbean and Pacific entrances of the canal.