Ilya Espino de Marotta becomes first woman to lead the Panama Canal

PANAMA CITY (AP) — Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino on Thursday announced the appointment of Ilya Espino de Marotta to a seven-year term leading the Panama Canal starting Oct. 1, the first woman to hold that post. The decision followed a weeks-long review process by the Panama Canal Board of Directors, which considered numerous high-profile candidates. Before Thursday’s appointment, Espino de Marotta, 64, served as the deputy administrator of the interoceanic waterway since taking office on Jan. 1, 2020. “I have spoken with the new Administrator of the Panama Canal… to congratulate her and reaffirm the commitment to work in…