Official mourning begins today in Uruguay in tribute to former president José Mujica, who died seven days short of his 90th birthday.
This brings to a close the long life of the tireless political operator who functioned as such until his last hours.
Almost 90 years of the guerrilla fighter, political prisoner, parliamentarian, president, but also philosopher and peasant.
His death was announced by president Yamandú Orsi on social networks.
Mujica officially died at 16:00 local time, as certified by his personal doctor Raquel Penone, at his farm on the outskirts of Montevideo.
President Orsi went there to express his condolences to the former vice-president of the Republic, Lucía Topolansky, his partner for many years of shared struggles.
Pepe, as he was called, had been battling oesophageal cancer, diagnosed in April 2024, which had spread to his liver.
In January this year he declared: «My cycle is over. Honestly, I’m dying. And the warrior is entitled to his rest.
For the president of the Frente Amplio, Fernando Pereira, the most recognised Uruguayan in the world, a social fighter and an example of austerity, is leaving.
From another political corner, former Uruguayan president Luis Alberto Lacalle acknowledged the political and social imprint of José Mujica. Other political actors of different tendencies joined in the mourning.
The official decree that will be in force until 16 May will have the Uruguayan flag at half-mast and includes the suspension of official activities.
The coffin of the former president is expected to leave the Executive Tower, where the Presidency of the Republic is in session, at around 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday.
President Yamandú Orsi and cabinet ministers will pay tribute to him there.
Then the caravan will go to the house of the Movimiento de Liberación Nacional-Tupamaros and from there to the house of the Frente Amplio (FA).
Afterwards, the procession will make another stop at the headquarters of the Movimiento de Participación Popular (MPP), of which he was the leader and is today the most voted FA grouping.
The wake will be held in the Salón de los Pasos Perdidos of the Parliament and could last until Friday for him to receive the tribute of the man who achieved great notoriety in his country and the world.
It was announced here that Presidents Inácio Lula da Silva, Gabriel Boric and Gustavo Petro of Brazil, Chile and Colombia, respectively, will travel to the capital to pay their respects.
Former Argentinean President Cristina Fernández, who recently visited him at his farm in western Montevideo, where Mujica wanted his remains to rest, will also bid him farewell.
