President Lula and first lady attend Mujica’s funeral service
“May the courage, simplicity, and love that marked his life continue to help us follow the path he chose—the fight for a fairer world. And may comfort reach the hearts of his beloved, Lucía Topolansky, and his friend and now president of Uruguay, Yamandu Orsi,” Brazilian President Luís Inácio Lula da Silva wrote in a post on social media.
The president and First Lady Janja da Silva were at the headquarters of the Uruguayan Congress, where the funeral service was held, on Thursday afternoon (May 15).
Former Uruguayan President Pepe Mujica died last Tuesday (13) at the age of 89. He had been diagnosed with oesophageal cancer. His body will be cremated in a private ceremony and his ashes will be scattered on the ranch where he lived in Rincón del Cerro, on the outskirts of Montevideo. There, throughout his career, Pepe lived a simple and austere life, where he planted flowers, especially roses, and fruit trees.
President Lula met Mujica for the last time late last year on that ranch. On the occasion, the Brazilian leader decorated Mujica with the Order of the Southern Cross, the highest honor granted by the Brazilian government to international citizens.
