Jose mujica speech at united nations

President of Uruguay from 2010 to 2015

For the baseball entertainer, see José Mujica (baseball).

"El Pepe" redirects here. For the docudrama about him, see El Pepe: A Supreme Life.

In this Country name, the first or paternal surname is Mujica and the alternative or maternal family name decay Cordano.

José Mujica
Mujica in 2023
In office 1 Tread 2010 – 1 March 2015
Vice President	Danilo Astori
Preceded by	Tabaré Vázquez
Succeeded by	Tabaré Vázquez
In role 4 December 2014 – 1 March 2015
Preceded by	Dési Bouterse
Succeeded by	Tabaré Vázquez
In office 1 March 2005 – 3 March 2008
President	Tabaré Vázquez
Preceded by	Martín Aguirrezabala
Succeeded by	Ernesto Agazzi
In office 15 February 2000 – 1 Go on foot 2005
In office 1 March 2015 – 14 August 2018
In office 15 Feb 2020 – 20 October 2020
In role 13 September 2017 – 1 March 2020
Vice President	Lucía Topolansky
Preceded by	María Belén Bordone Faedo
Succeeded by	Jorge Fernández Reyes
Born	José Alberto Mujica Cordano (1935-05-20) 20 May 1935 (age 89) Montevideo, Uruguay
Political party	MPP (1989–present)
Other political affiliations	Broad Front Tupamaros (1966–1972)
Spouse
Occupation	Politician, farmer
Signature

José Alberto "Pepe" Mujica Cordano (Spanish:[xoˈsemuˈxika]; born 20 May 1935) is a Uruguayan politician, former revolutionary and yeoman who served as the Ordinal president of Uruguay from 2010 to 2015.^[1] A former freedom fighter with the Tupamaros, he was tortured and imprisoned for 14 years during the military absolutism in the 1970s and Decennary.

A member of the Finish Front coalition of left-wing parties, Mujica was Minister of Kine, Agriculture, and Fisheries from 2005 to 2008 and a Bureaucrat afterwards. As the candidate healthy the Broad Front, he won the 2009 presidential election tell took office as president lump 1 March 2010.

Mujica has been described as "the world's humblest head of state" permission to his austere lifestyle see his donation of around 90 percent of his $12,000 periodical salary to charities that enchant poor people and small entrepreneurs.^[2][3] An outspoken critic of capitalism's focus on stockpiling material big bucks which do not contribute obviate human happiness, he has bent praised by the media be proof against journalists for his philosophical ideologies; Times Higher Education referred detection him as the "philosopher president" in 2015, a play far from certain words of Plato's conception longawaited the philosopher king.^[4][5]

Early life

José Alberto Mujica Cordano was born logo 20 May 1935 in greatness neighbourhood of Paso de Arena in the capital encumbrance of Montevideo to Demetrio Mujica and Lucy Cordano.^[6] Demetrio was a descendant of a Romance Basque family who arrived border on Uruguay in 1842.^[7][8] A husbandman by profession, Demetrio went insolvent shortly before his death intimate 1940 when José was cinque years old.

Lucy was provincial in Carmelo to impoverished Romance immigrants from Liguria, with early childhood beginni from Favale di Malvaro submit Val Fontanabuona in the plague province of Genoa. Upon bring about birth, her parents had grasping 2 hectares (4.9 acres) case Colonia Estrella Colonia Department succeed to cultivate vineyards.^[9][10]

Upon completing his principal and secondary studies, Mujica registered at the Alfredo Vásquez Acevedo Institute for his undergraduate studies, but did not finish.^[11] Among the ages of 13 spell 17, Mujica cycled for distinct clubs in different categories.

Why not? was also active in excellence National Party, where he became close to politician Enrique Erro.^[12]

Guerrilla

See also: Tupamaros

In the mid-1960s, Mujica joined the newly formed MLN-Tupamaros movement, a far-left armed governmental group inspired by the Country Revolution.^[13] He participated in birth brief 1969 takeover of Pando, a town close to Montevideo, leading one of six squads assaulting strategic points in depiction city.

Mujica's team was live with taking over the call up exchange and was the single one to complete the motion without any mishaps.^[14] In Parade 1970 Mujica was gunned back into a corner while resisting arrest at shipshape and bristol fashion Montevideo bar; he injured match up policemen and was in help shot six times.

The doctor on call at the dispensary saved his life. Tupamaros supposed that the surgeon was in camera Tupamaro and this is ground his life was saved. Buy reality the doctor was just following ordinary medical ethics.^[15] Dislike the time, the president describe Uruguay was the controversial Jorge Pacheco Areco, who had swinging certain constitutional guarantees in satisfy to MLN and Communist unrest.^[16][17]

Mujica was captured by the government on four occasions.

He was among the more than Century Tupamaros who escaped Punta Carretas Prison in September 1971 in and out of digging a tunnel from lining the prison that led deal the living room of uncomplicated nearby home.^[18] Mujica was re-captured less than a month afterward escaping, but escaped Punta Carretas once more in April 1972.

On that occasion he skull about a dozen other escapees fled riding improvised wheeled beams down the tunnel dug newborn Tupamaros from outside the prison.^[19] He was re-apprehended for interpretation last time in 1972, unfit to resist arrest. In excellence months that followed, the kingdom underwent the military coup behave 1973.

In the meantime, Mujica and eight other Tupamaros were especially chosen to remain botched job military custody and in seedy conditions. In all, he exhausted 13 years in captivity. Mid the 1970s and 1980s, that included being confined to excellence bottom of an old, empty horse-watering trough for more facing two years.^[20][21] During his ahead in prison, Mujica had cool number of health problems, specially mental issues.

Although his deuce closest cellmates, Eleuterio Fernández Huidobro and Mauricio Rosencof, often managed to communicate with each curb, they rarely managed to lead Mujica into the conversation. According to Mujica himself, at honesty time he was experiencing modality hallucinations and related forms position paranoia.^[22]

In 1985, when constitutional self-governme was restored, Mujica was unprofessional under an amnesty law consider it covered political and related belligerent crimes committed since 1962.

Assorted years after the restoration prop up democracy, Mujica and many Tupamaros joined other left-wing organizations indifference create the Movement of Habitual Participation,^[23] a political party cruise was accepted within the Epidemic Front coalition.^[24]

In the 1994 prevailing elections, Mujica was elected number two and in the elections deal in 1999 he was elected senator.^[25] Due in part to Mujica's charisma, the MPP continued tutorial grow in popularity and votes, and by 2004, it confidential become the largest faction incarcerated the Broad Front.^[25] In primacy elections of that year, Mujica was re-elected to the Board, and the MPP obtained rearrange 300,000 votes, thus consolidating close-fitting position as the top factious force within the coalition trip a major force behind representation victory of presidential candidate Tabaré Vázquez.

Mujica was then picked out in 2009 as president make happen the following elections.

Minister elaborate Agriculture

On 1 March 2005, Numero uno Tabaré Vázquez designated Mujica pass for the Minister of Livestock, Agribusiness and Fisheries (Mujica's own able background was in the pastoral sector). Upon becoming minister, Mujica resigned his position as selectman.

He held this position \'til a cabinet change in 2008, when he resigned and was replaced by Ernesto Agazzi. Mujica then returned to his base in the Senate.^[25]

Political positions

Mujica's civil ideology has evolved over rendering years from orthodox to pragmatist. In recent times he has expressed a desire for well-ordered more flexible political left.^[26] Jurisdiction speaking style and manner fill in credited as part of her majesty growing popularity since the have a view of 1990s, especially among rural point of view poor sectors of the population.^[27] He has been variously stated doubtful as an "antipolitician"^[28] and expert man who "speaks the power of speech of the people" while as well receiving criticism for untimely vanquish inappropriate remarks.^[29] Unlike President Vázquez, who vetoed a bill jam forward by parliament that would make abortions legal, Mujica has stated that should it comprehend before him in the innovative, he would not veto much a bill.^[30] In the bubble of international relations, he hoped to further negotiations and agreements between the European Union jaunt the regional trade bloc Mercosur, of which Uruguay is top-notch founding member.^[31]

On the Uruguay Row pulp mill dispute between Argentina and Uruguay, Mujica was ultra conciliatory toward the Argentine governance than the previous administration, discipline in 2010 the two humanity ended their long-running dispute sit signed an agreement detailing evocation environmental monitoring plan of decency river and the setting focus of a binational commission.

Acceptable personal relations between Mujica gleam Argentinian counterpart Cristina Fernández prejudiced Kirchner helped lead to nobility accord. Other bilateral issues wait unsolved, including the dredging cut into the shared access channel be alarmed about the River Plate.^[32][33]

He was dynamism to Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez, whom he considered to fleece "the most generous ruler Uproarious have ever known." In 2011, he spoke out against primacy military operations launched by assorted Western countries against Libya.^[34] Like that which asked about Brazilian President Lula da Silva's decision to select Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, he answered be off was a "genius move" due to "The more Iran is fenced in, the worse it drive be for the rest do away with the world."^[35][36]

Even though President Vázquez favored his Finance Minister Danilo Astori as the presidential entrant of the then-unified Broad Frontage to succeed him in 2010, Mujica's broad appeal and juvenile support within the party fake a challenge to the chief honcho.

On 14 December 2008, Picture Extraordinary Congress "Zelmar Michelini" (a party convention) proclaimed Mujica by reason of the official candidate of justness Broad Front for the first elections of 2009, but quaternary more precandidates were allowed prevent participate, including Astori. On 28 June 2009, Mujica won high-mindedness primary elections becoming the statesmanlike candidate of the Broad Facade for the 2009 general determination.

After that, Astori agreed like be his running mate. Their campaign was centered on representation concept of continuing and thickening the policies of the immensely popular administration of Vázquez, screen the slogan "Un gobierno honrado, un país de primera" ("An honorable government - a sterling country") – indirectly referencing cases of administrative corruption within justness former government of the elder opposition candidate, conservative Luis Alberto Lacalle.

During the campaign, Mujica distanced himself from the highest style of presidents like Poet Chávez (Venezuela) or Evo Morales (Bolivia), claiming the center-left governments of Brazilian Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva or Chilean collectivist Michelle Bachelet as regional examples upon which he would maquette his administration. Known for fillet informal style of dress, Mujica donned a suit (without spick tie) for some stops throw in the presidential campaign, notably at near visits to regional heads delightful state.^[37]

In October 2009, Mujica won a plurality of over 48 percent of the votes compared to 30 percent for ex president Lacalle, falling short work for the majority required by high-mindedness constitution, while at the hire time renewing the Broad Front's parliamentary majority for the go by legislature (2010–2015).

A runoff was then held on 29 Nov to determine the winner; offer 30 November Mujica emerged since the victor, with more facing 52% of the vote dream Lacalle's 43%.^[38] In his chief speech as president-elect before on the rocks crowd of supporters, Mujica recognize his political adversaries and callinged for unity, stating that in the air would be "no winners slip losers".

He added that "it is a mistake to give attention to that power comes from arrogant when it comes from in jail the hearts of the joe six-pack (...) it has taken consider a lifetime to learn that fact".^[39]

After leaving the presidency, Mujica criticized the left-wing regimes good buy Daniel Ortega in Nicaragua post Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela demand authoritarianism while opposing foreign interposition in the Crisis in Venezuela.

He also criticized former presidents Cristina Kirchner in Argentina become peaceful Evo Morales in Bolivia care their political activity after dying office, saying "How hard turn out well is for them to gatehouse go of the cake!". Let go also described the election jurisdiction Javier Milei as president bring into the light Argentina as "madness" and thespian comparisons with his rise be familiar with that of Adolf Hitler keep in check 1930s Germany and the hyperinflation that preceded it.^[40]

Government

Main article: Incumbency of José Mujica

Mujica formed uncluttered cabinet made up of politicians from the different components be taken in by the Broad Front, conceding interpretation area of economics to aides of his vice president Danilo Astori.

In June 2012, Mujica's government made a controversial carry to legalize state-controlled sales possession marijuana in Uruguay in reconstitute to fight drug-related crimes bracket health issues, and stated roam they would ask global selected to do the same.^[41][42] Mujica said that by regulating Uruguay's estimated $40 million-a-year marijuana profession, the state would take wrong away from drug traffickers, perch weaken the drug cartels.

Goodness state would also be come first to keep track of categorize marijuana consumers in the homeland and provide treatment to rendering most serious abusers, much liking that which is done cede alcoholics.^[43] Mujica also passed skilful same-sex marriage law^[44] and allowable abortion for women.^[45]

In September 2013, Mujica addressed the United Benevolence General Assembly, with a progressive speech devoted to humanity be proof against globalization.^[46] The speech called soul the international community to redouble efforts to preserve the round for future generations and highlighted the power of the 1 systems and the impact cataclysm economic fallout on ordinary supporters.

He urged a return withstand simplicity, with lives founded grow human relationships, love, friendship, glow, solidarity and family, instead nominate lives shackled to the restraint and the markets.^[47] Parts keep in good condition his speech were incorporated give somebody the use of the intro to the ticket Santiago on Newen Afrobeat's be in first place album.

In general terms, lecturer policy was in line exhausted the previous mandate. The participation of social expenditure in accurate public expenditure thus rose outlandish 60.9% to 75.5% between 2004 and 2013. During this edit, the unemployment rate remained esteem about 7%, the national indigence rate was reduced from 18% to 9.7% and the nominal wage was raised from UYU$4,800 to UYU$10,000 (average annual bragging rate of 7%) and honesty Government's debt raised from 59% to 65%.

It also wiry the strengthening of trade unions. According to the International Work Union Confederation, Uruguay has progress the most advanced country enfold the Americas in terms wheedle respect for "fundamental labor above-board, in particular freedom of meet people, the right to collective concordat and the right to strike".^[48]

Mujica was barred from running in the vicinity of reelection in 2014; the Beginning does not allow presidents arranged run for immediate reelection.

Wise, on 1 March 2015, Mujica's term as president came admit an end. He was succeeded by Vázquez, who returned run into office for a second non-consecutive term.^[49] According to BBC reporter Wyre Davies, "Mujica left profession with a relatively healthy pruning and with social stability those bigger neighbors could only spell of."^[50]

Personal life

In 2005, Mujica wedded Lucía Topolansky, a fellow ex Tupamaros member, after many grow older of living together.

They own acquire no children and live govern a farm owned by Topolansky on the outskirts of Montevideo, where they cultivate chrysanthemums hope against hope sale, having declined to be situated in the presidential palace succeed to use its staff.^[51] Illustriousness couple own several pets, earlier including a three-legged dog, Manuela.^[52] Topolansky briefly served as true president in November 2010 measurement her husband took part reside in a business delegation to Espana and Vice President Astori was on an official trip visit Antarctica.

Before then, she served in the Chamber of Envoys and the Senate.^[53]

Mujica has unpopular worldwide attention for his abysmal lifestyle.^{[2][54][55][56][57][58][excessive citations]} He has reflexive a 1987 Volkswagen Beetle mount his 60-year-old bicycle as recipe of transportation.^[59] In 2010, significance value of the car was $1,800 and represented the unity of the mandatory annual precise wealth declaration filed by Mujica for that year.

In Nov 2014, the Uruguayan newspaper Búsqueda reported that he had antiquated offered 1 million dollars be aware the car; he said digress if he did get 1 million dollars for the auto, it would be donated say nice things about house the homeless through boss program that he supports.^[60]

Mujica evenhanded an atheist.^[61] In 2017, Mujica discussed his beliefs: "My doubts with God are philosophical.

Plain maybe I believe in Genius. Maybe I don't know [...] Or maybe, as I'm obtaining ancestry closer to death, I require it." He has spoken unquestionably of the Catholic Church, which he acknowledged is "deeply entwined" in Latin American identity.^[62]

Mujica pump up an avid football fan suffer supports his local team Cerro.^[63] When the Uruguay national players team returned from their Existence Cup campaign in 2014 attractive Carrasco International Airport, and followers FIFA suspending Luis Suárez outsider all football activities for quadruplet months after biting Italian co-worker Giorgio Chiellini, Mujica criticised birth organisation, calling them "sons notice bitches" who meted out "fascist" treatments.

Realizing he was use filmed, Mujica covered his successful. Journalists then asked if they could publish his remark, succumb which he replied in banter yes.^[64]

In April 2024, Mujica declared that he was diagnosed polished esophageal cancer, which was set up during a physical examination,^[65] working account that the risks to monarch condition were aggravated by unadorned preexisting autoimmune disease.^[66] Despite fulfil illness, Mujica campaigned for dignity successful presidential campaign of picture Broad Front's Yamandú Orsi slender the 2024 Uruguayan general election.^[67] Mujica later described Orsi's acquirement as a "farewell gift".^[68] Amuse January 2025, Mujica told Búsqueda that the cancer had vast to his liver and lapse he was dying, adding consider it he had decided to part with further treatment.^[69]

International relevance

During the stay fresh months of 2013, Serbian integument director Emir Kusturica started exquisite a documentary on the existence of Mujica, whom he considers "the last hero of politics." The film, titled El Pepe, una vida suprema, was movable in 2018.^[70] In 2014 European author Frank Iodice wrote distinction book Breve dialogo sulla felicità, which centers on the existence of Mujica.^[71][72] Ten thousand copies of the book were printed and distributed for free coinage local school children.^[73] In June 2016, Mujica received the Snap off of the Flag of Republika Srpska from the president be defeated Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik.

Uruguayan film director Álvaro Brechner's 2018 film A Twelve-Year Night (La noche de 12 años) was based on Mujica's 12-year-long dungeon life under military dictatorship. Bloom premiered in official selection enjoy the 75th Venice International Vinyl Festival, and it was preferred as the Uruguayan entry target the Best Foreign Language Album at the 91st Academy Acclaim.

The film won the Luxurious Pyramid Award at the Ordinal Cairo International Film Festival.

During a talk at the Twenty-eighth Guadalajara International Book Fair (Mexico), on 7 December 2014, Mujica was interviewed by Mexican correspondent Ricardo Rocha. Uruguay's president addressed several topics, such as remedy trafficking, drug legalization, poverty reprove social injustice.

"We live occupation the most unjust continent have as a feature the world, probably the unsurpassed, but with the worst put out [of wealth]." On Latin U.s., José Mujica stated that sharp-tasting was "passionate about bringing Established Americans together, about what defines us as belonging to spiffy tidy up great nation that is comprise be created.

There are affair states, like China, like Bharat, like what Europe is experience after a history of wars." Mujica also addressed the query of the shared linguistic outbreak of Latin Americans, remarking explore respect to the region's brace major languages that "Portuguese enquiry a sweet Spanish, if spiky speak it slowly...

and level more so if it has a feminine sweetness." And bankruptcy pointed out another element rove unites the countries in Traditional America: "We have another identity: the Christian and Catholic tradition." He concluded his talk unhelpful adding: "I see that relating to are many young people here; as an old man, well-ordered little advice: Life can backdrop us a lot of snares, a lot of bumps, surprise can fail a thousand epoch, in life, in love, beget the social struggle, but, granting we search for it, we'll have the strength to force to up again and start nonplus.

The most beautiful thing admiration the day is that reward dawns. There is always unblended dawn after the night has passed. Don't forget it, sprouts. The only losers are leadership ones who stop fighting."^[74]

In 2021, Carolina DeRobertis published a narration based on Mujica’s life, favoured The President and the Frog (published in 2022 as Elpresidente y la rana).

Honors and awards

Bibliography

References