Former Uruguayan president Jose “Pepe”;; Mujica has died at the age of 89.
Mujica, a former guerrilla fighter who spent over a decade in prison for his revolutionary efforts, passed away after a battle with cancer on Tuesday.
In January, he revealed that the illness had advanced and he would no longer pursue treatment.
Reacting, Uruguay’s current President, Yamandu Orsi, wrote on X: “With deep sorrow, we announce the passing of our comrade Pepe Mujica president, activist, guide, and leader. We will miss you dearly, old friend.”;;
Mujica earned the moniker “world’s poorest President”;; during his 2010-2015 presidency for giving away much of his salary to charity and living a simple life on his farm, with his fellow ex-guerrilla wife and three-legged dog.
The government declared three days of national mourning and announced that Mujica’s body would lie in state at the legislative palace starting Wednesday.
Supporters and activists from Mujica’s Movement of Popular Participation (MPP) gathered outside the party’s headquarters, displaying large banners bearing the message, “Hasta siempre, viejo querido”;; (Until forever, old friend).
Leftist leaders from Latin America and Europe also paid tribute to Mujica, with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum calling him “an example for Latin America and the entire world”;;.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is among those who have paid tributes to Mujica.
“His human greatness transcended the borders of Uruguay and his presidential mandate. The wisdom of his words formed a true song of unity and fraternity for Latin America,”;; Lula said in a statement.
As President, Mujica was praised for his fight against poverty but criticized for failing to rein in public spending.
He is survived by his wife Topolansky. They had no children.
Mujica asked to be buried on his farm, next to his dog.
