Uruguayans Accompany Pepe Mujica’s Funeral Procession
Pepe Mujica’s funeral carriage, May 14, 2025. X/ @ElUniversal
May 14, 2025 Hour: 10:41 am
He died at the age of 89, one year after being diagnosed with a malignant tumor in his esophagus.
On Wednesday, thousands of Uruguayans accompanied the funeral procession of former President Jose “Pepe” Mujica, which departed from the Executive Tower in Montevideo and made its way to the Legislative Palace, where his remains will lie in state.
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Just a few steps from the starting point, at the door of the Estevez Palace and accompanied by Mujica’s widow, Lucia Topolansky, Uruguayan President Yamandu Orsi placed the national flag over the casket.
Moments later, amid applause, the funeral procession headed down 18 de Julio Avenue, en route to the headquarters of the Tupamaros National Liberation Movement.
Leading the procession, hundreds of members of the Popular Participation Movement — a historic faction of the Broad Front founded by Mujica — marched with flags, dressed in black, and wearing shirts bearing the phrase: “I’m not leaving, I’m arriving” on the back.
Mujica first said those words on March 1, 2015, when he ended his five-year presidential term. “I’m not leaving, I’m arriving. I will go with my last breath, and wherever I am, I will be there for you, I will be with you, because that is the highest way to be with life. Thank you, beloved people,” he emphasized.
After stopping at the Tupamaros National Liberation Movement headquarters, the procession will continue past the headquarters of the Popular Participation Movement and the Broad Front, both located in downtown Montevideo.
Meanwhile, at 3 p.m., the wake will begin in the Hall of the Lost Steps at the Legislative Palace, and the public will be allowed to enter. It has not yet been confirmed whether the wake will last 24 or 36 hours.
On Tuesday, Mujica died at the age of 89, one year after being diagnosed with a malignant tumor in his esophagus and just one week shy of his 90th birthday.
“With deep sorrow, we announce the passing of our compañero Pepe Mujica — president, activist, role model and leader. We will miss you dearly, old friend. Thank you for everything you gave us and for your deep love for your people,” President Orsi said.
In April 2024, Mujica announced he would undergo radiotherapy sessions due to a malignant tumor in his esophagus. Earlier this year, the former president said the cancer had spread to his liver.
teleSUR/ JF
Source: EFE
