Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba and President of the Republic, expressed on the social network X his deepest condolences for the death on Tuesday of former Uruguayan President José “Pepe” Mujica, at the age of 89.
Díaz-Canel’s message explicitly recognizes Mujica’s revolutionary trajectory, his humility, coherence and firm commitment to the just causes of Latin America and the world, and his faithful friend of the Cuban Revolution.
The Cuban leader stressed that “our America regrets the departure of the former Uruguayan president, while stating that his extraordinary life recalls the dark era of military dictatorships sponsored by Washington, but also the hopeful stage of the left in power and the unrealized dream of integration”.
José Mujica met with Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro in Cuba in 2016, a sign of the closeness and political affinity between both leaders, whose legacies of struggle for social justice and examples of simplicity are an inspiration for new generations of Latin Americans.
The current president of Uruguay, Yamandú Orsi, also expressed his sorrow in X: “It is with deep sorrow that we announce the death of our comrade Pepe Mujica. President, militant, referent and leader. We will miss you very much, dear old man. Thank you for everything you gave us and for your deep love for your people”.
Mujica, who presided over Uruguay between 2010 and 2015, began to suffer from health problems in April 2024 and after a series of studies, he was diagnosed with a malignant tumor in his lower esophagus.
In May of that same year he began a radiotherapy treatment that he completed in June and at the end of 2024, he received the placement of a stent in his esophagus to facilitate his feeding, a few months later, the former president announced that his disease had advanced and asked to be left alone in his last days.
Mujica’s death leaves an indelible mark in the political and social history of the region, where he will be remembered as a leader of integrity and committed to justice and the dignity of the people.
With information from CNA
Translated by Aliani Rojas Fernandez
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