Ammon News - Uruguay’s former president José “Pepe” Mujica, a guerrilla fighter and cult hero for Left-wingers worldwide, has died at the age of 89.

Mr Mujica had been put into palliative care earlier in May after a year-long battle with cancer of the oesophagus, which had spread to his liver.

“With deep sorrow, we announce the passing of our comrade Pepe Mujica. President, activist, guide and leader. We will miss you greatly, old friend,”Yamandú Orsi, Uruguay’s country’s current president, said on X.

Former Bolivian president Evo Morales hailed his “experience and wisdom,” while Brazil’s government bid farewell to “one of the most important humanists of our time.”

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said Mujica had lived for “a better world,” while Guatemala’s Bernardo Arevalo held him up as “an example of humility and greatness.”

He won fame as the “world’s poorest president” for giving away much of his salary to charity, during his 2010-2015 presidency.

He was known to attend official events in sandals and continued living on his small farm on the outskirts of Montevideo, where his prized possession was a 1987 Volkswagen Beetle. Telegraph