Mr. Zelaya replaces Oscar Escalante, who was dismissed in August of last year for having received money from the Honduran Council of Private Enterprise (Cohep) to remodel an office.

Zelaya’s appointment comes at a time where there was a series of speculations about the return of Escalante, as President Porfirio Lobo had remarked that Escalante had not committed any act of corruption.

When asked about the appointment, Zelaya said he had “heard some gossip that the new minister would be another from Olancho, balding, and an attorney. I then assumed it was me.”

He stated he will try to establish a policy of dialogue with all sectors, as consumers are important, but “employers are also”.