Trumps’s Focus on Panama; The Electric Rates Remain Unchanged for 2025; Christmas Eve Left More Than 100 People Apprehended; Panama Mayor’s Office Creates Special Zones and Schedules for the Nighttime Economy.

December 27, 2024. First of all, Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah – I hope everyone had wonderful celebrations so far and are looking forward to the New Year, regardless of what Trump wants to do with Panama.  But, what a crazy last few days, eh?!  President-elect Donald Trump has gone over the top by recently expressing his desire for the United States to regain control over the Panama Canal. He criticized the fees charged by Panama for canal transit, describing them as “ridiculous” and unfair to the U.S. economy. Trump stated that if these practices continue, the U.S. would demand the canal’s return.  Whaaaaaaat!?!? In response, Panama’s President José Raúl Mulino firmly rejected Trump’s demands, emphasizing Panama’s sovereignty over the canal. Mulino stated that the canal’s rates are determined based on market conditions and operational costs, not set arbitrarily. He also assured that the canal remains under Panamanian control, dismissing concerns over potential foreign influence.  These concerns are primarily due to China’s ever-increasing interest over Latin America, in general and more specifically their influence with previous panamanian government administrations (not so much the present government). Then, China chimed in:  Specifically, China’s Foreign Ministry expressed support for Panama’s sovereignty over the canal. Spokesperson Mao Ning emphasized that the canal is a significant creation of the Panamanian people and a vital international waterway. She stated, “China has always supported the people of Panama in their just struggle for sovereignty over the Canal,” and reiterated China’s respect for Panama’s control, recognizing the canal as a permanently neutral international passage. This looks like a good time to pause for an abbreviated history lesson: The Panama Canal was originally started by the French in 1881 under the leadership of Ferdinand de Lesseps, the engineer behind the successful construction of the Suez Canal. However, the project faced significant challenges, including tropical diseases like malaria and yellow fever, as well as engineering difficulties related to Panama’s mountainous terrain. The French effort ultimately failed, and the project was abandoned in 1889.  That was only 8 years time where nearly 25,000 people died during the process.  Nearly 15 years later, the United States later took over construction in 1904.  The construction of the Panama Canal differed significantly between the French and American approaches, particularly in the chosen design to overcome the challenging geography and hydrology. The French, under Ferdinand de Lesseps, attempted a sea-level canal similar to the Suez Canal, requiring a straight channel with no locks. This approach faced insurmountable obstacles, including the mountainous terrain, landslides in the Culebra Cut, and the unpredictable flooding of the Chagres River. In contrast, the Americans implemented a lock-and-lake system, leveraging the Chagres River to create an elevated artificial lake, Gatun Lake, and using locks to raise and lower ships as they traversed the canal. This design drastically reduced the need for excavation and provided better control over water flow, ultimately enabling the project’s completion in 1914 and establishing it as an engineering marvel. The Panama Canal was later transferred to Panama in 1999 following the Torrijos–Carter Treaties signed in 1977. These treaties ended U.S. control over the canal, granting Panama full sovereignty.  What did all of this cost the USA?  After purchasing the rights from France at $40 million, another $10 million to Panama plus a yearly fee of $250,000 (agreed upon in 1904), and actual construction costs, the USA invested more than $375 million which was a massive amount of money at the time.  It was considered the one of the most expensive and aggressive projects in history.  In today’s dollars, with inflation, this would be equivalent to $9.69 Billion Dollars!! Trump’s statements have sparked a diplomatic dispute, with Panama asserting its independence and control over the canal, a vital conduit for international maritime trade. Analysts note that any U.S. attempt to reclaim the canal would face significant legal and geopolitical challenges. These headlines once again show his provocative nature. If Panama doesn’t lower their transit rates, he’s gonna take it away and return it to the United States. This is doubtful.  If you’ve analyzed Trump even slightly, you’d know this is classic Trump theatrics—an exaggerated statement designed to grab attention and stir the pot. It’s his signature strategy: get people riled up, laughing, or even arguing amongst themselves. Then, just when tensions peak, he steps in to negotiate, often reaching an agreement that satisfies most parties—except, of course, his die-hard critics who never fail to oppose Mr. Orange. And then, if that weren’t enough, he signaled his choice for the US Ambassador to Panama.  This guy came at us out of nowhere.  He announced Kevin Marino Cabrera for this post.  A Miami-Dade County Commissioner and former Florida state director for Donald Trump’s 2020 campaign, Cabrera is a graduate of Florida International University with a degree in Political Science.  He built a career as a lobbyist and political strategist, known for his staunch conservative values and support for Trump. His election to the Miami-Dade County Commission in 2022 focused on public safety, economic development, and limiting government overreach. Cabrera has faced controversy over his participation in a 2018 protest involving members of the Proud Boys, though he denies any affiliation with the group. Recently nominated by Trump as the U.S. Ambassador to Panama, Cabrera’s nomination highlights his ties to the administration and his understanding of Latin American affairs. But what qualifications does he have for a position as ambassador?  It’s hard to tell.  I suppose he does have some political experience.  Or maybe its his ties to Florida’s diverse Latin American community, and his role in high-profile political campaigns. As Florida state director for Donald Trump’s 2020 campaign, Cabrera demonstrated strong organizational and leadership skills in a state with significant strategic importance to U.S.-Latin America relations. His tenure as a Miami-Dade County Commissioner has given him insight into governance and policymaking in a region deeply connected to the Americas. Additionally, his background as a lobbyist navigating complex political and legislative environments suggests a capacity for diplomacy and negotiation. While he lacks formal diplomatic experience, his political network and familiarity with Latin American