The old guerrillero

José Pepe Mujica

Tomorrow Uruguay will vote. And the virtually future president of Uruguay is a controversial man. All the polls indicate that José Mujica should be the next president of Uruguay. Do not rely on his perfect grandfather look: in the 1960s and 1970s, he was one of the most wanted people in the country. José Mujica, alias “El Pepe”, was part of the National Liberation Movement – Tucamaros. As a guerrillero, he took part in several violent actions, kidnappings and robberies. During the presidential campaign, his opponents accused him of participating in some murders, what he has always denied. He just answers it was the only way in the authoritarian regime Uruguay knew during one decade.

José Mujica was wounded by gunfire several times and spent about 15 years in jail. He escaped from prison twice. When Uruguay came back to democracy, he passed to the classical political life. In 1989 his movement joined the Frente Amplio, a left wing coalition that now rules the country.

Some think he is nothing but a populist, others see him as the best solution for Uruguay as he is the only one to speak the language of the people. But the debate brought back old demons in a country described by analysts as one of the most stable of Latin America. A few weeks ago, the Konrad Adenauer Foundation classified it in the top 3 of the most efficient democracies in the area.

Update : There will be a second round in Uruguay on November 29th as José Mujica could not reach more than 50% in the first one. He got 48% of the votes and the Liberal Alberto Lacalle (president from 1990 to 1995) around 30%. José Mujica stays the favorite for becoming president.