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Jose Manuel Zelaya RosalesFormer President of Honduras
Date of Birth: 20.09.1952
Country:  Honduras |
Content:
Biography of Jose Manuel Zelaya Rosales
Jose Manuel Zelaya Rosales, the former president of Honduras, was born on September 20, 1952, in the town of Catacamas in the eastern department of Olancho. He studied at the National Autonomous University of Honduras, where he obtained a degree in engineering.
Political Career
Zelaya began his political career in the mid-1980s as a deputy of the National Assembly for the department of Olancho. He was elected to the parliament three times and served as the head of parliamentary committees on natural resources and oil from 1985 to 1989.
From 1999 to 2004, Zelaya held the position of secretary of the organizational and propaganda department of the Liberal Party. With a history of 112 years, the Liberal Party is one of the traditional political parties in Honduras.
Presidential Victory
Zelaya was officially declared the president of Honduras after winning the elections as a candidate from the opposition Liberal Party. At the age of 53, he defeated his main opponent from the ruling National Party, Porfirio Lobo, by 74,000 votes.
Personal Life
Known for his large mustache and sombrero, which he consistently wore during the three-month pre-election campaign, Zelaya often emphasized his peasant background. He is a talented singer and enjoys dancing, particularly to Caribbean rhythms such as cha-cha-cha and salsa. Zelaya is married to Xiomara Castro and they have four children.
