'Pepe' Mujica and the time he criticized U.S. Politics: "The best part is when it stays out"

Former Uruguayan president, José 'Pepe' Mujica passed away on March 13, 2025, at the age of 89. His death was announced by Uruguayan President Yamandú Orsi, marking the loss of one of Latin America's most iconic leaders.

Known for his commitment to social justice, Mujica served in a left-wing government, where he disagreed with U.S. Politics globally. A former guerrilla fighter, he became a symbol of national reconciliation after he disarmed and was elected president of Uruguay, earning the nickname "the world's poorest president".

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'Pepe' Mujica and the time when he criticized U.S. Politics

During a conference at the World Bank in Washington, former Uruguayan President José Mujica stated that the best role the United States has played in Latin America is when it stays out of the region.

"In Latin America ,what has worked best about U.S. policy is when it doesn’t intervene," Mujica said, prompting a strong round of applause from the audience.

That stated was made in response to a question posed by BBC Mundo correspondent in Washington, Thomas Sparrow, who asked if Mujica saw any positive aspects in the U.S. drug policy in the region.

Mujica's harsh comments during his presidency

'Pepe' Mujica will be remembered for his controversy comments he realized during his presidency.

In 2013, he was caught on a live mic making a remark about then-Argentine President Cristina Fernández and her late husband and predecessor, Néstor Kirchner, saying, "That old woman is worse than the one-eyed man."

During the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, Mujica called the FIFA officials at the time "a bunch of old sons of bitches," in response to the punishment given to Uruguayan striker Luis Suárez for biting an opponent.

At the same time, Mujica’s speeches often included reflections on love and happiness, sometimes taking on a self-help tone.

"Every morning, think and take 10 minutes to assess whether what you did was right or wrong," he advised thousands of young people who cheered him on at a university in Rio de Janeiro, months after leaving the presidency.

In April 2024, after revealing that he had been diagnosed with an esophageal tumor that would be treated with radiation, he mentioned that "death had knocked on my door more than once," but this time he felt it was "coming for me with the scythe ready."

"After all, let them take away my danced dance," he concluded.

In January, he told the Uruguayan weekly Búsqueda that the cancer had spread to his liver and, due to his age and chronic illnesses, he would not undergo further treatments.