Six reasons we’ll miss Uruguay’s President Jose ‘Pepe’ Mujica
On Sunday, the “world’s poorest president” wrapped up his five-year term as Uruguay’s head of state. President Jose ‘Pepe’ Mujica, 79, won hearts and minds both at home and abroad with his progressive policies, consistent principles and a scruffy, down-home lifestyle that’s downright cuddly.
Mujica isn’t going to disappear — he’s already been sworn in as a senator in Uruguay’s General Assembly. But it just won’t be the same without this guy running the show.
In a farewell speech that can only be described as heartfelt and adorable, Mujica said, “Thanks for your hugs. Thanks for your affection and above all, thanks for your deep companionship each and every time I felt alone in the middle of the Presidency.”
Hugs back at ya, Pepe. Here are six reasons we’ll miss having you as Uruguay’s president.
1. We love his sweet ride.
No presidential motorcade for Mujica. He refuses to part with his 1987 Volkswagen Beetle, not even for $1 million.
2. He legalized same-sex marriage.
In 2012, Mujica enacted legislation to permit same-sex couples to marry. That makes Uruguay one of only three countries that has legalized same-sex marriage in this largely conservative Catholic region of Latin America.
3. And marijuana too.
In 2013, Uruguay became the first country in the world to legalize the marijuana market. “The idea is that stealing the market away from the drug traffickers is the best way to fight them,” Mujica said.
Check out how that’s fairing for Uruguay in Cannabis Country, an AJ+ doc:
4. He stands up against big tobacco.
Okay, so it wasn’t Mujica who enacted the law requiring that cigarette packs be covered in graphic health warnings (that was Tabare Vazquez, who both preceded and now succeeds Mujica as president). But for the past five years, it’s been Mujica in charge as the country has fought back against Philip Morris in a massive lawsuit the tobacco company has filed against Uruguay.
5. He welcomed former Gitmo detainees to Uruguay.
Mi casa es su casa. Mujica opened up his country to six former Guantanamo detainees. “They are a human wreck,” Mujica said of the detainees. “If the inmates of Guantánamo want to make their nests in Uruguay, they can do it.”
Maybe the move had something to do with his own background. A former guerrilla fighter, Mujica spent 14 years as a political prisoner, more than 10 of which were in solitary confinement.
6. Finally, this guy just walks the walk.
Many politicians like to describe themselves as “humble.” Mujica embodies it. He rejected the presidential palace in favor of a three-room farm house outside the capital (a modest estate in his wife’s name), and his presidential dress code is, well, casual.
