Uruguay: Former President Muhika announced he dies of cancer and stops all treatment

The former in José “Pepe” Muhika, 89 years old, revealed that the cancer he suffers from has spread and that he stops any treatment. “I am dying,” said former president “Pepe” Muhika, one of the most iconic figures of the Left in Latin America in Uruguay. CORVERSE “Oesophageal cancer spreads into my liver. I can’t stop him. Why? Because I’m old and suffering from two chronic diseases. No treatment, no surgery can be done because my body would not bear them,” Muhika said in his interview with the weekly Busqueda newspaper. “My circle is closed. Clearly, I’m dying. A warrior has the right to rest. Leave me alone. Don’t ask me for any more interviews, no more things,” added the former president (2010-15). Muhika said he has already begun the process to be buried in the garden of his humble farm, in the suburbs of Montevideo, under a tree he planted himself and next to his dog, Manuela. “Here I will die. Outside, there’s a giant sequoya. That’s where Manuela is buried. I make the papers so they can bury me there. That’s all,” he added. Despite his state of health, Muhika actively participated in the presidential campaign for the December election, won by left-wing coalition candidate Yamadu Orsi. “I want to say goodbye to my countrymen. It is easy to respect those who think as you do, but you must learn that the foundation of democracy is respect for those who think differently (…) I kiss you all,” he concluded. The “poorest president of the world”, as they called him, for giving almost all the salary he received as head of state in a social housing program, José Muhika made Uruguay a pioneer in adopting progressive measures in terms of the right to abortion, marriage between same-sex couples and legalization of cannabis (the first country worldwide, 2013). The former rebel was tortured and spent 13 years in prison – most during the military dictatorship (1973-85). He was elected MP, senator, appointed minister and then became president of the country.