Ilya Espino de Marotta becomes first woman to lead Panama Canal

Ilya Espino de Marotta has taken office as Administrator of the Panama Canal . She is the first woman to lead the Panama Canal . Her term began on 7 September 2026 and will run until 2033. She succeeds Ricaurte Vásquez Morales. Four decades of experience at the Canal Espino de Marotta has worked at the Panama Canal for more than 40 years.