‘When Times Get Tough, America Shows Up’: US Ambassador to Panama Details Earthquake Recovery Efforts

FIRST ON THE DAILY SIGNAL—The U.S. ambassador to Panama detailed America’s swift response in Panama after a series of high-magnitude earthquakes struck the country in early October.

“When times get tough, America shows up, and whether it’s Jamaica, Venezuela, Colombia, or Panama, the United States government stands with its friends in the most difficult of times,” Ambassador Kevin Marino Cabrera told the Daily Signal.

“Under President Trump, America stands with its friends, and we respond immediately.”

Cabrera detailed that within 24 hours of Panama’s request, after the magnitude 7.7 earthquake shook the Central American country, the United States was able to provide a “substantial” disaster relief effort, which included a search and rescue team, $5 million in relief through trusted local partners, logistical supplies, over 2,500 blankets, 2,900 mosquito nets, 750 tarps, 200 family tents, 1,200 kitchen sets, and 500 sleeping mats for an estimated 12,000 people affected by the earthquake.

The ambassador then explained how the rescue operations were led by the U.S. Southern Command, or SOUTHCOM, which was originally created to focus on national security, not humanitarian relief.

“Our response was immediate, substantial, and built on years of security cooperation with Panama,” the ambassador continued. “The fact that we were able to turn security cooperation into humanitarian assistance, use those assets, use those personnel, and within hours, I think that shows the value of partnering with America.”

According to the ambassador, the humanitarian response to the earthquake also included regional cooperation, with the United States working “hand in hand” with humanitarian volunteers, the local government, and citizens from neighboring countries such as Costa Rica, who wished to help.

“Anyone who wants to help, or has been affected by the earthquake, should contact the embassy [U.S. Embassy in Panama], either over the phone or social media, for immediate assistance,” Cabrera continued.

Cabrera added that any American citizen wanting to visit Panama, whether now or in the future, is highly encouraged to enroll in the embassy’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to allow the embassy to be aware of where the citizen might be in the foreign country in case of an emergency.

“Our priority as an embassy is the safety and security of U.S. citizens,” Cabrera concluded.

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