Former Uruguayan president José “Pepe” Mujica died this Tuesday at the age of 89 in Montevideo, after being diagnosed with esophageal cancer. The sad news was confirmed by the current Uruguayan president, Yamandú Orsi, in a message shared on the social media platform X:
“It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of our comrade Pepe Mujica. President, activist, role model, and leader. We will miss you dearly, dear old man. Thank you for everything you gave us and for your deep love for your people.”
Pepe Mujica was born on May 20, 1935, in the Uruguayan capital. He came from a family of flower growers descended from the Basque Country, an autonomous community in Spain.
His political development began in the 1960s, when he turned to armed struggle against the civil-military dictatorship, as part of the Tupamaros National Liberation Movement.
This activism led him to serve time in prison for fighting against the repression of the authoritarian governments of the time. Once released, Mujica entered political life, where he was voted into several elected positions.
During Tabaré Vásquez’s presidency, he was appointed Minister of Livestock, Agriculture, and Fisheries, and was later elected President of Uruguay, a position he held from 2010 to 2015, a period in which he prioritized social investment for the sake of social well-being.
