May 14 (UPI) -- The Uruguayan government has declared three days of national mourning in honor of the late former President Jose "Pepe" Mujica.
Political and social leaders across Latin America expressed their condolences with heartfelt tributes, describing Mujica, who died Tuesday, May 13, at the age of 89 after a battle with esophageal cancer, as a global ethical beacon and a living symbol of integrity, humility, and dedication to social justice.
A former guerrilla and prominent leftist figure in Latin America, Mujica was widely respected across the political spectrum for his willingness to engage in dialogue with all sectors. Due to his modest lifestyle, he was often referred to as "the world's poorest president."
In 1964, when Uruguay was still known as the "Switzerland of the Americas" for its democratic stability and social equity, Mujica joined the nascent National Liberation Movement, known as the Tupamaros, a guerrilla group that would gain regional notoriety. There, he met his wife, Lucía Topolansky, with whom he shared a lifelong commitment to politics.
Mujica was imprisoned four times and managed to escape twice. During one arrest, he was severely wounded in a confrontation with the military. From 1972 to 1985, Uruguay's military dictatorship held Mujica and 11 other political leaders as "hostages" to deter attacks on military officials.
