In September 2019, the Administrator of the Panama  Canal Authority Jorge Luis Quijano is set to retire after 44 years of service. Along with Quijano, four vice presidents reach retirement age.

The Canal Board of Directors must choose the replacement for Quijano with time for an orderly transition.

President Juan Carlos Varela must also appoint three directors, who are due for retirement in March 2019, three months before he ends his mandate.