Lula confirmed to attend Pepe Mujica’s funeral
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva will attend the funeral of former Uruguayan President José “Pepe” Mujica, who died on Tuesday (May 13) at the age of 89.
While still in China, where he is on an official visit, the president gave a press conference to journalists from Brazil, China, and other countries, confirming his trip to say goodbye to his old friend.
“I plan to go to Pepe Mujica’s funeral right after landing in Brasília. The least we can do is say goodbye to those who have been a role model for us, to show a lot of dignity and respect,” he stated.
At the presser, he reinforced his tribute to the memory of the former Uruguayan president, who was imprisoned for 12 years due to political persecution by the dictatorship in the neighboring country.
“Pepe Mujica was not just a left-wing activist, a senator, a congressman or a president of Uruguay. Pepe Mujica was a very important president for democracy, for the progressive sectors of society, for the left. I believe that, if he hadn’t been born, he’d have to be, so we could have an example of a human being with a lot of dignity, a lot of respect, a lot of solidarity, and a lot of courage,” the Brazilian leader noted.
The last time the two met was at Mujica’s farm, on the outskirts of the Uruguayan capital, late last year. On that occasion, President Lula decorated Mujica with the Order of the Southern Cross, the highest honor granted by the Brazilian state to international citizens.
“The last time I saw him he was sitting with me, and he said, ‘Lula, I’m about to go.’ He said this with the greatest serenity and tranquility. That’s how he ruled Uruguay,” he said.
“It’s hard to find two or three people in the world with [Mujica’s] character and dignity,” the president added.
After the interview in Beijing, the president and his entourage flew back to Brazil, where they are expected to arrive on Wednesday evening (14).
As a result of Mujica’s ing, Brazilian acting President Geraldo Alckmin decreed three days of official mourning in Brazil.
