FORMER URUGUAY PRESIDENT JOSE MUJICA HAS PASSED AWAY

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By: Motunrayo Aniwura

Jose “Pepe” Mujica, the former president of Uruguay, passed away at the age of 89.

After a fight with cancer, Mujica, a former guerrilla fighter who was imprisoned for more than ten years for his revolutionary activities, died on Tuesday.

He declared in January that he would no longer seek therapy because the sickness had progressed.

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.

Mujica received criticism for not controlling governmental expenditure while in office, although he was commended for his efforts to combat poverty.

Topolansky, his wife, is his surviving spouse. They did not have any kids.

In addition to his dog, Mujica requested to be buried on his property.