Former Uruguayan President José Mujica Declares End of Cancer Treatment

The 89-year-old progressive icon announces his terminal condition and reflects on his life, legacy, and decision to focus on his final days at home.

José Mujica, Uruguay's president from 2010 to 2015, revealed that his esophageal cancer has spread to his liver and that he has chosen to stop treatment due to his age and chronic health conditions.
In what he described as his final interview, Mujica stated, 'I am dying,' and expressed a desire to spend his remaining time in peace at his modest farm near Montevideo.
Mujica, a former guerrilla fighter turned president, is celebrated for his simple lifestyle, progressive policies, and global influence, including legalizing same-sex marriage, abortion, and recreational cannabis in Uruguay.
Despite his illness, Mujica remained politically active, supporting the successful campaign of his protégé Yamandú Orsi, who will assume the presidency in March 2025.
Mujica plans to be buried on his farm beside a tree he planted and his late dog, Manuela, emphasizing his wish to conclude his life quietly and on his own terms.