From every corner of Uruguay, mourners came together to honor the memory of José Mujica, the former president whose legacy left an indelible mark on the nation.

The nation of Uruguay came to a standstill as thousands paid tribute to former President José Mujica, a beloved figure whose influence transcended politics.

MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay — A Nation Mourns as Uruguay Bids Farewell to Former President José Mujica

Crowds flooded the streets of Montevideo on Wednesday to pay tribute to former President José “Pepe” Mujica, a former guerrilla fighter who rose to become one of Latin America's most revered leaders. Known for his humility, modest lifestyle, and steadfast ideals, Mujica left an enduring legacy as a symbol of the Latin American left.

Thousands of mourners joined the solemn procession as Mujica’s coffin, draped in the Uruguayan flag and carried on a gun carriage, made its way slowly through the capital toward the national parliament. Applause echoed from balconies and sidewalks as chants of “Pepe, querido, el pueblo está contigo!” — “Pepe, dear, the people are with you!” — accompanied the cortège during its three-hour journey.

Mujica passed away on Tuesday at the age of 89 in his modest three-room farmhouse on the outskirts of Montevideo — the same home he maintained throughout his presidency (2010–2015), rejecting the grandeur of the official presidential residence in a gesture that came to define his political ethos.

President Yamandú Orsi, a protégé and close ally from the Broad Front party, led the tributes, issuing a presidential decree that declared three days of national mourning. Government operations were scaled back and flags lowered to half-staff in recognition of Mujica's “humanist philosophy.”

Orsi, a former history teacher and mayor who has similarly declined to reside in the presidential palace, accompanied Mujica’s coffin alongside Mujica’s wife, former senator and vice president Lucía Topolansky. The funeral procession began with a private ceremony at the presidential headquarters, where Orsi draped the silk national flag over Mujica's casket.

Mujica, who would have turned 90 next week, was born on May 20, 1935. His final public appearances included campaigning for Orsi in the 2024 elections, underscoring a lifelong dedication to his political ideals.

Throughout his presidency, Mujica drew international acclaim for pioneering progressive reforms. Under his leadership, Uruguay became the first country in Latin America to legalize marijuana, approve same-sex marriage, and pass sweeping abortion legislation. He also spearheaded a shift toward renewable energy, positioning Uruguay as a global leader in sustainability.

Before his presidency, Mujica was a leader of the Tupamaros, a Marxist guerrilla group active in the 1960s. He spent over a decade in prison — much of it in solitary confinement — before being released under a general amnesty in 1985.

Mujica was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in April 2024, a condition he faced with the same stoic resilience that marked his life.