Pepe Mujica Returns to the Earth

José Mujica has returned to the earth —fitting, for a man who never aspired to heaven. The former Uruguayan president, who passed away on Tuesday, was a simple man: humble, devoted, and deeply committed to the struggles of ordinary people.

His life was marked by hardship and sacrifice, by years of imprisonment and resistance —yet he never lost his smile or his sense of humor. In an era of rising hateful rhetoric and authoritarian leadership, he embodied a different kind of politics— one built on dialogue, consensus, and honesty.

Mujica was, above all, a champion of social justice, unwavering in his ideals.

He never saw politics as spectacle or as a platform for ego, but as a tool to serve others. From his modest farmhouse —where he continued to live even as president— he taught an invaluable ethical lesson: to live as one thinks.

That fundamental integrity made him a figure respected and beloved worldwide, even by those who disagreed with his ideology. "Pepe" Mujica was a politician who needed no disguises or pretenses —he stood firm on candor, decency, and the strength of truth.

The affection of millions and the recognition of leaders and nations alike place him among the indispensable figures of our time. Mujica was a lucid voice amid the noise, a wise man who reflected deeply on life, economics, power, and humanity.

He always defended human dignity over profit and mindless consumption. He accumulated no wealth —only affection and respect— leaving behind an ethical legacy that transcends borders.

A close friend of Cuba, José Mujica honored, among comrades, the symbolism of the Revolution and the legacy of Fidel Castro.

His commitment to progressive causes in Latin America and his belief in regional solidarity made him an international icon of the left.

But beyond any label, he was, first and foremost, a good person —an exceptional human being who turned politics into an act of love for others.

His legacy lives on in ideas, in example, and in the grateful memory of the people.

Translated by Sergio A. Paneque Díaz / CubaSí Translation Staff