Pepe Mujica: A Humble Giant Who Changed Latin American Politics

José “Pepe” Mujica, former president of Uruguay, passed away on May 13, 2025, at the age of 89 in Montevideo. He had been diagnosed with esophageal cancer that had metastasized to his liver, and he chose to discontinue treatment in his final days.

Renowned for his austere lifestyle and unwavering commitment to social justice, Mujica was a symbolic figure of Latin America's left. During his presidency (2010–2015), he introduced transformative progressive policies, including the legalization of same-sex marriage, abortion, and recreational marijuana making Uruguay a regional pioneer.

Before entering politics, Mujica was a guerrilla fighter in the Tupamaros movement. He was imprisoned for 14 years many of them in solitary confinement during Uruguay’s military dictatorship. Released in 1985, he reintegrated into democratic life, serving as Minister of Livestock, Agriculture, and Fisheries and later as a senator.

His refusal to embrace the luxuries of power living on a modest farm and donating most of his salary earned him worldwide admiration. In 2023, the United Nations honored him for his contributions to Colombia’s peace processes.

Mujica’s death triggered widespread reactions across Latin America and Europe. Leaders such as Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro and Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez praised his integrity and his enduring legacy in the struggle for Latin American unity.

Pepe Mujica will be remembered as a leader who, from humility and consistency, left an indelible mark on Uruguayan and Latin American society.