U.S. Ambassador Highlights Rapid Earthquake Aid in Panama

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U.S. Ambassador to Panama Kevin Cabrera emphasized the rapid response from the Trump administration following the October 9 earthquake that struck the nation, which measured 7.7 on the Richter scale. The U.S. mobilized personnel and humanitarian aid within 24 hours, without the use of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), according to Cabrera.

Swift U.S. Response Without USAID

Cabrera, speaking to Breitbart News, stated, ‘When time gets tough, America shows up.’ He noted that the U.S. sent 20 Urban Search and Rescue (USR) personnel to Panama in under a day at the country’s request to assess the safety of evacuated buildings. The earthquake, which caused one reported death and over 400 damaged buildings, also injured at least 27 people.

In addition to the USR team, President Donald Trump approved $5 million in humanitarian assistance, including over 2,500 blankets, 2,900 mosquito nets, and other essential supplies to help more than 12,000 affected individuals. The U.S. also repurposed helicopters already in Panama for narcotics missions into an ‘air bridge’ to transport personnel and aid to affected areas.

Challenging USAID’s Role

Cabrera argued that the Trump administration’s dissolution of USAID and its absorption into the State Department did not hinder the U.S.’s ability to respond effectively to disasters. ‘We’ve been able to respond and we’ve been very effective while being focused on the things that matter,’ he said, citing successful aid efforts in Jamaica, Venezuela, Colombia, and Panama.

Cabrera criticized USAID for its focus on ‘DEI and genders’ rather than aligning with the administration’s policies. He noted that the U.S. response to the earthquake demonstrated the country’s capability to act swiftly without relying on the agency.

Looking Ahead: Recovery Efforts

Looking forward, Cabrera highlighted damaged roads and bridges as key obstacles to Panama’s recovery. ‘Now comes the part of trying to help with reconnecting communities,’ he said, emphasizing the need to repair infrastructure to ensure safe travel and recovery.

Source: Breitbart