Uruguay bid a heartfelt farewell on Wednesday to one of its most beloved national figures, former President José “Pepe” Mujica, who passed away on Tuesday at the age of 89. Known globally for his humility, progressive leadership, and unwavering devotion to the underprivileged, Mujica’s death triggered an outpouring of national grief and admiration.
Thousands of Uruguayans poured into the streets of Montevideo to honor the former guerrilla fighter-turned-president whose life embodied sacrifice, simplicity, and service. His coffin, draped in Uruguay’s national flag, was solemnly transported through the capital atop a gun carriage, cheered on by emotional crowds lining the procession route.
A Final Journey Through Montevideo
The tribute procession made its way from Mujica’s modest home to the Legislative Palace, a symbolic journey that captured his remarkable transformation from leftist rebel to global statesman. Along the way, men, women, and children of all backgrounds wept openly, applauded, and held up handwritten placards bearing messages such as “Gracias Pepe” and “Siempre con el pueblo” (Always with the people).
“He was our president who, thanks to him, everybody knows Uruguay,” said mourner Marlene Acosta, her voice trembling. “Uruguay wasn’t mentioned before. Thanks for all that he did for the poor. He’s the president of the poor, youth, and students. Everybody loves him. Even his adversaries love him and recognize his qualities.”
At the steps of the Legislative Palace, where Mujica once served as a senator and president, citizens left flowers, letters, banners, and framed portraits in tribute. The words “Adiós Pepe” were scrawled across the white marble walls — a simple, yet powerful farewell to a man who rejected grandeur but commanded respect.
The Legacy of a Humble Leader
Mujica, who governed Uruguay from 2010 to 2015, became a symbol of integrity and authenticity in politics. He famously declined to live in the presidential mansion, choosing instead to reside at his rural farmhouse alongside his wife, Lucía Topolansky, and their three-legged dog, Manuela. He donated nearly 90% of his presidential salary to charitable causes, living on the equivalent of $1,000 per month.
Dubbed “the world’s humblest president,” Mujica won admiration not only for his austere lifestyle but also for his progressive policies. Under his leadership, Uruguay became the first country to fully legalize cannabis, introduced landmark LGBTQ+ rights, and implemented robust poverty reduction strategies. Despite his radical past as a Tupamaro guerrilla in the 1960s — during which he spent over a decade in prison, much of it in solitary confinement — Mujica became a beacon of reconciliation and democracy.
“What matters is life,” Mujica once said in a widely shared speech. “And we come to live it by working, not enslaving ourselves to consumerism. I may be an old man, but I have learned that simplicity is freedom.”
A National Icon Beyond Politics
While political leaders across the ideological spectrum paid tribute, it was the voices of ordinary Uruguayans that captured the true impact of Mujica’s life. For many, he wasn’t just a president — he was family.
“In a world full of corruption and lies, he stood for honesty,” said Diego Fernández, a university student from Montevideo. “He never changed. Whether he was in jail, in the senate, or in the presidency, he always stood for the same values: justice, humility, and humanity.”
Tributes also poured in from regional and international figures. Argentine President María Eugenia Vidal described Mujica as “a leader who taught us that politics without heart is empty.” Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva called him “a revolutionary with a farmer’s soul.”
Former Bolivian President Evo Morales took to social media to write: “Pepe Mujica was the moral compass of Latin America. He lived what he preached.”
Mourning a Generation
Mujica’s death also marks the fading of a generation of Latin American leaders who emerged from radical movements and transitioned into democratic institutions. Unlike some of his contemporaries, Mujica eschewed authoritarianism and instead promoted dialogue, transparency, and constitutional governance.
Political analyst Mariana Campos of the University of the Republic in Uruguay explained: “Mujica was unique. He could sit with world leaders in a T-shirt and jeans, or drive his 1987 Volkswagen Beetle to a summit. Yet the world listened when he spoke because he had moral authority — and that’s something rare in politics.”
Campos added, “His passing leaves a vacuum not just in Uruguay, but in global politics. He reminded us that true leadership is not about titles or wealth, but about staying true to your people and principles.”
Final Resting Place and Public Commemoration
Following the procession, Mujica’s remains were received with military honors at the Legislative Palace, where a state memorial service was held. President Luis Lacalle Pou led the national tribute, praising Mujica’s legacy of reconciliation and patriotism.
“We did not always agree, but we always respected each other,” Lacalle Pou said. “Pepe Mujica’s life is a mirror in which all public servants should reflect. His passing is a loss for the nation.”
His coffin will remain in the Palace for public viewing over the next two days, allowing thousands more to say their final goodbyes before a private burial ceremony scheduled for the weekend.
As Uruguay mourns, the spirit of Pepe Mujica endures — not in statues or buildings, but in the hearts of those he touched with his honesty, humility, and undying devotion to humanity.
