Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino has appointed Ilya Espino de Marotta as the first woman to lead the Panama Canal, starting a seven-year term on 1 October. The announcement on Thursday followed a weeks-long review by the canal's board of directors, which considered several high-profile candidates.
Espino de Marotta, 64, has served as deputy administrator of the interoceanic waterway since 1 January 2020. A 35-year veteran of the canal, she is known for her signature pink hard hat and leadership on major projects, including the $5 billion canal expansion.
Her main challenges include developing two new ports at each end of the canal, with tenders expected in the coming months. Other projects include a natural gas pipeline and a logistics corridor, forming part of the canal's expansion and diversification strategy.
The canal has been at the centre of an international dispute, with the US accusing China of violating Panama's sovereignty over a port dispute. In early April, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused China of 'bullying' by briefly detaining Panama-flagged ships after Panama seized control of two ports from a Hong Kong-based subsidiary. China has denied the allegations.
Espino de Marotta holds a bachelor's degree in Marine Engineering from Texas A&M University and a master's degree in Economic Engineering from Universidad Santa María La Antigua.
