Miguel Díaz-Canel highlights the struggle and legacy of former Uruguayan president José ‘Pepe’ Mujica, a beacon of anti-imperialist resistance and Latin American integration.

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Latin America in Mourning: International Figures Pay Tribute to Pepe Mujica

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel expressed his deep sorrow over the passing of former Uruguayan president José ‘Pepe’ Mujica, whom he described as a symbol of the fight against the military dictatorships backed by Washington and a beacon of hope for leftist governments. In his message on social media platform X, Díaz-Canel recalled Mujica’s “extraordinary life,” marked by his resistance during the dark era of dictatorships and his commitment to the unrealized dream of Latin American integration.

José Mujica was a Tupamaro militant who endured imprisonment during Uruguay’s dictatorship, an experience that forged his commitment to freedom and social justice. His journey to the presidency of Uruguay (2010-2015) was characterized by pragmatic policies close to the people’s needs, legalizing pioneering social reforms such as, abortion, and same-sex marriage, making him a global leftist icon. Mujica consistently defended collective power-building and popular participation as foundations for social transformation, rejecting authoritarian views and promoting the unity of Our America.

Cuba and the Latin American Left Honor His Legacy

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez joined the tribute, calling Mujica a “dear friend” and a tireless fighter for freedom and regional unity. This recognition fits within the tradition of solidarity among progressive governments in the region, who see Mujica as an example for new generations facing the challenges of imperialism and division. His political and human legacy inspires the continuation of the struggle for sovereignty, social justice, and Latin American integration-core values for the Cuban revolutionary project and its allies.

Nuestra América lamenta la partida de Mujica. Su extraordinaria vida recuerda la oscura era de las dictaduras militares apadrinadas por Washington, pero también la esperanzadora etapa de las izquierdas en el poder y el sueño irrealizado de la integración. No olvidar. pic.twitter.com/1B3FxwoaEb

— Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez (@DiazCanelB) May 13, 2025

The text reads: Our America mourns Mujica’s passing. His extraordinary life recalls the dark era of Washington-sponsored military dictatorships, but also the hopeful era of the leftist forces in power and the unfulfilled dream of integration. Let us not forget.

At a time when the Latin American left faces setbacks and challenges, Mujica’s message resonates strongly: the struggle must continue with humility, dialogue, and building popular majorities. His life and work remind us that true power lies in an organized people and that social transformation is a collective process that must adapt to concrete realities. From Cuba and other progressive spaces, there is a renewed commitment to honor his memory and keep advancing toward a free, just, and united Latin America.

President Díaz-Canel’s tribute to José Mujica underscores the importance of keeping alive the historical and political memory of those who have dedicated their lives to the cause of the peoples, at a crucial moment for the left in Our America.

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