Lula and world leaders pay tribute to former President Pepe Mujica

The death of José “Pepe” Mujica, former president of Uruguay and a reference of the Latin American left, generated demonstrations of heads of state and political leaders in various parts of the world. Presidents of Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Chile and Venezuela honored the Uruguayan who died of esophageal cancer.

Shortly after the death confirmation, Lula published a note on social networks highlighting the trajectory of Mujica. For the Brazilian president, “Your life was an example that political struggle and kindness can walk together. And that courage and strength can come with humility and detachment.”.

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva confirmed his presence at the funeral, scheduled for this Wednesday (14), in Montevideo.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also issued an official note, defining Mujica as “Great Friend of Brazil” e “One of the most important humanists of our time”.

In Uruguay, the current President Yamandú Orsi, a political ally of Mujica in the Broad Front, expressed regret for the death. In his note, he highlighted the legacy left by the former Mandanker: “President, militant, reference and leader. We will miss you, dear old man. Thank you for everything you gave us and your deep love for your people.”.

In Argentina, former President Cristina Kirchner described Mujica as “A great man who dedicated his life to militancy and his homeland”. Cristina ruled the neighboring country during the mandate of Mujica and maintained with him a relationship of political cooperation.

In Colombia, President Gustavo Petro recalled his visit to Montevideo in December 2024, when he granted the Boyacá cross to the Uruguayan, the largest civil distinction of Colombia. In his honor, he wrote that “Pepe Mujica, the great revolutionary, the president of Uruguay, died. Goodbye, friend”.

“I hope that one day Latin America will have a hymn. That South America is called Amazon. I firmly believe that the Latin American Integration Project goes through a Grancolombian union in the heart of our region.”completed.

From Chile, Gabriel Boric published a message in which he remembers his last meeting with Mujica, in his farm on the outskirts of Montevideo. At the time, they planted an olive tree together, a symbol that Boric rescues when writing: “You were the unshakable conviction that while our hearts beat and there is injustice in the world, it is worth continuing to fight. I promise that Oliveira will flourish. Thanks for life and for the teachings. With you, forgetting will be impossible.”.

The government of Venezuela published an official note lamenting the death of Mujica. President Nicolás Maduro pointed out that the Uruguayan fought against his country’s dictatorships and contributed to the region’s integration efforts.

“During his career, he remained firm against the dictatorships that plagued his country and, since the presidency, promoted human policies, contributing to the integration and unity efforts of the region. Venezuela expresses its respect for the death of a figure deeply linked to the fair causes of our America.”says the text.

In Bolivia, President Luis Arce published that “Fly loudly, dear Pepe! With a deeply sad heart, we say goodbye to a true lighthouse of hope, humility and struggle for social justice”.

Arce also wrote that “His life was a testimony of rebellion and love of the people. His legacy will live in our hearts, in the history of Uruguay and the Major Fatherland”. Evo Morales also spoke out: “We deeply hurt us to the departure of my brother Pepe Mujica. I always remember his advice full of experience and wisdom. He was a fervent believer in integration and the big homeland”.

Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum qualified Mujica as “Example for Latin America and for the whole world for the wisdom, thought and simplicity that characterized it”and expressed condolences to the family and the Uruguayan people.

In Europe, the president of the Spanish government, Pedro Sánchez, wrote that “A better world. It was that Pepe Mujica believed, fought and lived. Politics makes sense when it is lived like this, with the heart. My deeper affection for his family and Uruguay. Eternal Mujica”.

Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of France Insubmissa, affirmed that “Goodbye, Pepe Mujica. Thank you for all the courage you gave us, thanks for the example you were, thanks for the life lesson that is your chosen death”.

In Cuba, President Miguel Díaz-Canel decreed official mourning and defined Mujica as “One of the most beloved and respected leaders of the Latin American left”. In the official statement, it adds that “Your death is a great loss for all of us”.