José Mujica's progressive reforms: Why Uruguayans loved their former president?
José Mujica, former president of Uruguay, spearheaded historic reforms including abortion legalization, marriage equality, and cannabis regulation, transforming the country’s social landscape.
On May 13 2025, José "Pepe" Mujica, former President of Uruguay, passed away at 89 years old due to esophageal cancer, which had spread to his liver.
Mujica, as president from 2010 to 2015, left a profound mark on the country’s politics and society by driving pioneering social reforms that marked a turning point in Latin America. The fact that his lifestyle was aligned with his political principles made him one of South America's most well-respected political leaders. Here are some of his reforms.
ALSO SEE: José 'Pepe' Mujica Dies at 89: Former President of Uruguay passes after battle with cancer
Mujica's abortion legalization
Mujica's legalization of abortion was one of his most controversial and criticized reforms at the time. This measure was narrowly approved by 3 votes and was later ratified by Mujica. This turned Uruguay as a pioneer in the region.
While he was personally against abortion, Mujica acknowledged the danger the clandestine procedures were for women. Photo: AFP
The former president acknowledged the fact that every year in Uruguay almost 30 000 procedures were done illegally by clandestine "doctors", and the dangers this posed for women. While he personally was against abortion, he stated that Uruguay should legalize the procedure.
Mujica's progressive reforms: cannabis regulation
José Mujica was never afraid of controversial reforms. As a way to fight drug trafficking and money laundering, he established state regulated consumption, allowing home cultivation and cannabis clubs with strict controls to avoid the black market from arising.
His message was clear: "No to drug trafficking, no to violence, no to money laundering".
ALSO SEE: 'Pepe' Mujica and the time he criticized U.S. Politics: "The best part is when it stays out"
Same-sex marriage in Uruguay
In 2013, thanks to Mujica, Uruguay turned into the second country in Latin America and the twelfth around the world to approve marriage equality.
Acording to the former president, approving same-sex marriage was just accepting reality: "This is older than the hole in the mate. We've decided to accept the existence of reality."
