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Panama Names First Female Canal Administrator Amid El Niño Watch

5/22/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Panama President José Raúl Mulino announced Ilya Espino de Marotta will become canal administrator on Oct. 1, the first female leader.
Espino de Marotta, who joined the canal in 1985 and led the $5.25 billion expansion, saw 2026 transits rise to 38 vessels per day, an 8% increase.
NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center issued an El Niño Watch, giving an 82% chance the pattern will appear between May and July 2026 and persist through winter.

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Story summary

Panama President José Raúl Mulino announced Ilya Espino de Marotta will become canal administrator on Oct. 1, the first female leader.
Espino de Marotta, who joined the canal in 1985 and led the $5.25 billion expansion, saw 2026 transits rise to 38 vessels per day, an 8% increase.
NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center issued an El Niño Watch, giving an 82% chance the pattern will appear between May and July 2026 and persist through winter.