1st female administrator in Panama Canal’s history takes helm

The briefing

Naval engineer Ilya Espino de Marotta took the helm on September 7 as the first woman to lead the Panama Canal administration. Having previously led the multi-billion-dollar expansion project, she succeeds Ricaurte Vásquez at a challenging time marked by low rainfall and geopolitical tensions. Her priority includes advancing a $1.5 billion project to build a reservoir on the Indio River to secure drinking water.