Designated “the poorest president in the world”, Mujica led the destinies of Uruguay between 2010 and 2015, making that country one of the pioneers in adoption of progressive measures such as abortion, homosexual marriage or the legalization of marijuana, which was even a novelty on a global scale.
The former president of Uruguay, José ‘Pepe’ Mujica, 89, revealed the spread of cancer in his body and said he would stop medical treatments.
“I’m about to die. Esophageal cancer is about to spread to my liver. I can’t stop it. Why? Because I’m an old man and I have two chronic illnesses. My body cannot bear any more surgeries or treatments”, declared Mujica, in an interview carried out on Tuesday and published this Thursday by the weekly Busqueda.
“My cycle is over. Clearly, I’m about to die. The warrior has the right to rest. Let me be at peace. Don’t ask me for any more interviews or whatever,” added the Uruguayan president from 2010 to 2015 .
He wants to be buried in the farm garden next to his dog
Mujica indicated that he had started the process to be buried in the garden of his modest farm, near Montevideo, under a tree that he planted himself, next to his dog Manuela.
“I’m going to die here. Outside, there’s a big sequoia tree. Manuela is buried there. I want to do the paperwork so they can bury me there too. And that’s all,” he said.
Despite his illness, Mujica became fully involved in the presidential election campaign, won in early December by the candidate of the left-wing Broad Front coalition, Yamandu Orsi.
“I want to say goodbye to my compatriots,” he added. “It’s easy to respect those who think like you, but we need to learn that the foundation of democracy is respect for those who think differently (…). I hug you all”, he concluded.
The “poorest president in the world”
Designated “the poorest president in the world” for having given almost all of the head of state’s income to a social housing program, José Mujica made Uruguay a pioneer state in the adoption of progressive measures such as abortion, homosexual marriage or legalization of marijuana, which was truly new on a global scale.
A former guerrilla fighter, he spent 13 years in prison, most of which under the military dictatorship (1973-1985) and was tortured, before becoming a deputy, senator, minister and, finally, president of a democratic country.
