Well, everyone knew it was going to happen. Even before President Elect Donald Trump had announced his appointment of Miami-Dade Commissioner Kevin Marino Cabrera — who has been instrumental in Trump’s Florida campaign — as ambassador to Panama, everyone knew it was coming.
This week, Trump made it official in a post on Truth Social, saying Cabrera would serve as ambassador to “a country that is ripping us off on the Panama Canal, far beyond their wildest dreams.” Trump had said earlier in the week that he wants the U.S. to take over operations and control of the Panama Canal, which means Cabrera is jumping into a fire already.
This is going to be work! Why not an ambassadorship to The Bahamas? Or Turks and Caicos? That would be amazing! Cabrera is 
not going to get the normal welcome package in Panama.
“Kevin is a fierce fighter for America First principles,” Trump wrote in his post. “As a Miami-Dade County Commissioner, and Vice Chairman of the International Trade Consortium, he has been instrumental in driving Economic growth, and fostering International partnerships. In 2020, Kevin did an incredible job as my Florida State Director and, this year, advanced our MAGA Agenda as a Member of the RNC Platform Committee.
“Few understand Latin American politics as well as Kevin – He will do a FANTASTIC job representing our Nation’s interests in Panama,” Trump posted.
In a statement released Friday, Commission Chairman Anthony Rodriguez congratulated Cabrera, who is probably one of his biggest allies on the dais (after Commissioner Danielle Cohen Higgins). “This nomination is an incredible moment for my colleague, who is very well deserving of this opportunity and will advocate for America’s interest abroad,” Rodriguez said.
The job comes with a salary that ranges from $140,000 to $260,000 a year, according to salary.com. There’s also a budget and the doling out more than $1 million grants.
Ambassadors are also given special residences that they live in free of charge. They also get government subsidized healthcare 
insurance, life insurance and five weeks of vacation time per year, which includes paid airfare to and from their vacation destination. Ambassadors are also compensated for educational expenses for their family. The amount they receive depends upon the country where they are stationed.
Cabrera, who has got to have been preparing already, is not going to talk to any media until the confirmation is done. No need to provide any ammunition, right? He did make a statement, however, in which he thanked our new POTUS.
“I am eager and energized to join your administration as the next ambassador to Panama,” Cabrera began. “I am committed to supporting President Trump’s America First vision and will work tirelessly every day to uphold his bold approach to international diplomacy. Together, we will ensure that American strength, freedom, and leadership continue to shape a brighter future for all.
“As a first-generation American and the son of Cuban exiles, I am profoundly grateful for everything this country has given me. Representing the United States abroad is a duty I take with the utmost pride. I look forward to the nomination process and engaging with the Senate to discuss my commitment to advancing America’s interests on the global stage.”
But it’s gotta be a done deal. After all, the Senate has plenty to worry about with myriad other appointments. Ladra fully expects Cabrera, who is capable enough (especially in comparison) to fly through confirmation, similarly like Marco Rubio will for Secretary of State. Even though he has that awful picture of him banging on then Congresswoman Donna Shalala‘s door with the Proud Boys when they were hunting Nancy Pelosi down. The only part that’s going to be controversial is the Panama part.
So what happens now? Apparently, Gov. Ron DeSantis only appoints someone to fill in when a commissioner has been suspended. The Miami-Dade commission itself can appoint someone to serve the rest of Cabrera’s term, which ends in 2026, or call for a special election.
In his statement, Rodriguez addressed the elephant in the room: His replacement.
“As we await Commissioner Cabrera’s confirmation in his new leadership role, replacing a Commissioner like Kevin Cabrera won’t be easy,” he said. “In the coming weeks and months, Commissioners will exhaust all efforts to ensure that the people of District 6 continue to have a strong, effective voice on the Miami Dade County Commission as quickly as possible.”
Obviously, they should have a special election. If they can waste hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars in useless studies, there is no way they can justify not spending on a special election to have someone who represents the District 6 voters for almost two whole years. But they will try. Because the commission loves to exert its power.
And everyone wants to be a kingmaker.
The Miami Herald’s Doug Hanks said possible choices include State Sen. Bryan Avila, who las malas lenguas say wants it real bad, West Miami Mayor Eric Diaz-Padron, West Miami Vice Mayor Natalie Milian Orbis –who happens to be wife of Cabrera’s office Chief of Staff Manuel Orbis — and Francisco Petrirena, who is the director of the city of Miami’s government relations department.
Fulano who?
Now, Ladra is the first one to say bring in the new blood. But Petrirena is basically a lobbyist who, just this June, opened a new business called Biltmore Strategies. Huh? Hope he filed a outside employment form at the city of Miami, where he’s been for barely a year. Before that, he worked for Doctors’ Health Plans and at Brandeis University in Boston, where he was a student in 2017. Reportedly, he came from Cuba in 2015.
Is this really the best option? Or is someone trying to help him climb the political ladder? Who? We have so many wannabe kingmakers.
Ditto with Orbis. This is not a real consideration. Someone floated her name to build name recognition. Maybe she wants to run for mayor of West Miami.
Avila is the frontrunner. He’s been rumored to want to run for this seat for years. Elected to the Senate in 2022, Avila also served as a state rep for eight years. He was Majority Deputy Whip in 2016 and Speaker Pro Temper from 2020 to 2022. Before that, he was a member of the Hialeah planning and zoning board.
Diaz-Padron was first elected mayor in 2022 and then automatically reelected this year with no opposition. He first became a commissioner in 2019 while still a law student at the University of Miami. He serves on the International Trade Consortium with Cabrera, and the Miami-Dade League of Cities as well as the Miami-Dade Transportation Planning Organization.
He told Political Cortadito that he loves serving as mayor of the 6,944 resident town, where he says he’s made progress expanding recreational options and decreasing crime. But he wouldn’t say no to a county post.
“If I can bring that experience to help neighboring communities and still serve my city, I would explore that,” Diaz-Padron said, admitting that he was “watching” the situation. “It’s a long process.”
Kevin Cabrera tapped as Panama ambassador; so who will replace him? added by Ladra on
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