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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Via AP news wire

A veteran Panama Canal engineer becomes first woman to lead the interoceanic waterway

Panama Canal - (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

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.

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