Former President of Uruguay, José “Pepe” Mujica, passed away this Tuesday at the age of 89, as confirmed by the current Uruguayan President Yamandú Orsi, who dedicated an emotional message on the social media platform X.
The news has caused shock throughout the country and at the regional level, where Mujica was recognized as a symbol of honesty, consistency, and social commitment.
"With deep sorrow, we announce the passing of our comrade Pepe Mujica. President, activist, leader, and guide. We will miss you dearly, our beloved old friend. Thank you for everything you gave us and for your profound love for your people," wrote Orsi, regarded as his political protégé within the Frente Amplio.
The health condition of Mujica had worsened due to a diagnosis of esophageal cancer in April 2024, and last Sunday, on the day of the regional elections in the country, both his wife, former vice president Lucía Topolansky, and President Orsi made statements that foreshadowed the outcome.
Topolansky was clear. “The current situation is terminal”, she stated in an interview with Radio Sarandí, and assured that they were doing everything necessary to ensure that Mujica lived “the final passage of his life as well as possible”.
For his part, Orsi publicly requested respect and privacy for the former president. "We must all contribute to ensuring that dignity is the key at every stage of our lives; we should not drive him crazy, we need to let him be," the leader expressed in a calm and reflective tone.
Mujica's passing occurred at his beloved farm in Rincón del Cerro, where he had lived for decades, true to his philosophy of a simple life, detached from material power.
Reactions: from football to politics
From the sports realm, the Club Nacional de Football, the oldest club in Uruguayan football, was one of the first institutions to speak out:
"Following the passing of former President of the Republic, José Mujica, Club Nacional de Football extends its deepest condolences to his family, friends, and loved ones."
It is expected that in the coming hours, other organizations, political and social leaders, both from Uruguay and abroad, will add their messages of tribute.
A figure that transcends generations
José Mujica was president of Uruguay from 2010 to 2015, leading an unprecedented progressive agenda in the region. He promoted historic reforms such as the legalization of same-sex marriage, the decriminalization of abortion, cannabis regulation, and social inclusion policies.
However, his greatest legacy is tied to his personal ethics. Former tupamaro guerrilla, Mujica spent nearly 13 years in prison during the military dictatorship. After his release, he chose the democratic path, becoming a parliamentarian, minister, president, and, above all, an ethical reference for many generations.
Internationally recognized as "the poorest president in the world", Mujica always chose the path of austerity: he lived on his farm, donated a large portion of his salary, and traveled without escorts or privileges.
A complex relationship with Cuba
Throughout his life, Mujica maintained a close yet critical relationship with Cuba. In his youth, he fervently supported the revolutionary process, but over time he adopted a more nuanced position.
In November 2022, during an interview on the program "Better to Speak" on Canal 24 Horas, Mujica stated that in Cuba "it seems there is a shift", referring to dictatorships in Latin America.
However, in November 2024, in an interview with El País, he expressed his stance on the regimes of Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua in harsh terms, concluding that "it doesn't work," referring to the politics and democracy in these countries.
Despite his criticisms, Mujica maintained a respectful relationship with Cuban leaders. In January 2016, he personally visited Fidel Castro during his time in Havana.
This is a developing news story. We will continue to provide updates with more information, international reactions, and details about the wake and official tribute.
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