Honduras gets a new finance minister

Luis Fernando Mata is Honduras’ new finance minister following the resignation of Marco Midence.

Midence had only been in the post for nine months but quit to participate in the November congressional elections.

"I worked with the conviction to help save lives and jobs. I thank all those who supported my administration. I will continue working to achieve a better Honduras," said Midence in his resignation letter, published via Twitter.

Mata (pictured, left) was formerly the investment promotion secretary. 

Local media had suggested Midence would become secretary of the presidency, taking over from Ebel Díaz. Instead, Abraham Alvarenga Urbina took that role.

Midence, however, does not appear as a candidate on official lists for the November vote as he did not participate in March’s internal elections.

During his short term, Midence had agreed deals with the IMF to increase support to US$769mn to help the country recover from hurricanes and the pandemic. Following a complaint about vaccine inequality at an IDB forum, Honduras also received US$50mn from the World Bank.

Two other new officials joined President Juan Orlando Hernández’s government, with Sandra Castillo Pavón taking over as communications and presidential strategy secretary and Rubén Darío Espinoza as secretary for community development, water and sanitation (Sedecoas).

Photo: Honduras government