Tributes poured across Latin America on Tuesday following the death of Uruguay’s former president, Jose “Pepe” Mujica, a revered leftist figure known for his humility and progressive values. The 89-year-old, a former guerrilla fighter who spent over a decade in prison for revolutionary activities, succumbed to cancer after announcing in January that his illness had worsened and he would cease treatment.
Uruguay’s current president, Yamandu Orsi, expressed deep sorrow on X, calling Mujica a “comrade, activist, guide, and leader,” and noting he would be greatly missed. People also paid homage in public, with one cyclist exclaiming “Pepe, eternal!”
Mujica earned the nickname “world’s poorest president” during his 2010-2015 term for donating much of his salary to charity and living simply on his farm with his wife and three-legged dog. The government declared three days of national mourning, and his body will lie in state at the legislative palace. Supporters from Mujica’s Movement of Popular Participation gathered to honor his legacy.
Leftist leaders across Latin America and Europe paid tribute to Jose Mujica, praising him as an exemplar of humility and unity. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum called him an “example for Latin America and the world,” while Brazilian President Lula da Silva highlighted his “human greatness” and his ability to inspire fraternity beyond Uruguay’s borders.
Supporters remembered Mujica as an ordinary man who lived simply, with one café waiter recalling how he visited for a steak after winning office, embodying humility unlike today’s often-wealthy politicians. Mujica, who described his lifestyle as “austerity,” transformed Uruguay into a progressive nation by legalizing abortion, gay marriage, and recreational cannabis.
Diagnosed with esophageal cancer last year, he received palliative care as his condition worsened. Despite illness, he remained active politically, supporting the election of his successor, Yamandu Orsi. Mujica’s legacy is marked by his humility, progressive reforms, and commitment to social justice.
Evo Morales praised Mujica’s “experience and wisdom,” while Brazil’s government called him “one of the most important humanists of our time.” Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez recognized his dedication to “a better world,” and Guatemala’s Bernardo Arevalo cited him as “an example of humility and greatness.” China’s foreign ministry also commended Mujica as a “renowned leader” and “good friend of the Chinese people.”
A former guerrilla and farmer, Mujica was known for his bluntness and simplicity, often attending events in sandals and living modestly on his farm, with a prized 1987 Volkswagen Beetle. In the 1960s, he co-founded the Tupamaros, a Marxist-Leninist group involved in robberies, kidnappings, and violence. He endured multiple gunshot wounds, participated in a prison escape, and was later imprisoned during Uruguay’s dictatorship, where he was tortured and kept in solitary confinement.
After his release, Mujica entered politics, founding the leftist Broad Front coalition’s largest party in 1989. He served as a congressman, senator, and agriculture minister before becoming president in 2010. Celebrated for his efforts to reduce poverty, he was also criticized for not controlling public spending. Mujica is survived by his wife, Lucia Topolansky, with whom he had no children.