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3mo ago

Uruguay Mourns José 'Pepe' Mujica, Iconic Former President and Progressive Leader

The ex-guerrilla and champion of social reform, known for his modesty and transformative presidency, died at 89; Uruguay observes three days of mourning.

José Mujica (ici en juin 2013, à la fin de son mandat) avait refusé de vivre dans le palais présidentiel de Montevideo, préférant rester avec sa femme dans sa maison de 50 m2, proche de la capitale.
Jean-Luc Mélenchon et Pepe Mujica, à Paris, en octobre 2015.
José Mujica en 2022. «Dans la conversation, il était facétieux mais déconcertant, et assez intimidant par sa façon de vous scruter.»
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Overview

  • José 'Pepe' Mujica, Uruguay's president from 2010 to 2015, passed away on May 13, 2025, at the age of 89 after battling esophageal cancer.
  • A former guerrilla fighter with the Tupamaros, Mujica spent 13 years in prison under Uruguay's 1973–1985 dictatorship before transitioning to politics.
  • During his presidency, he spearheaded progressive reforms, including legalizing same-sex marriage, decriminalizing abortion, and regulating cannabis production and sale.
  • Renowned for his austere lifestyle, Mujica lived on a small farm, drove an old Volkswagen Beetle, and donated 90% of his salary to social programs, earning the nickname 'the poorest president in the world.'
  • Uruguay has declared three days of national mourning, with a vigil held at the Legislative Palace in Montevideo to honor his legacy as a moral and political exemplar.