How Uruguay's retiring President redefined his country's views on wealth [View all]

[Judi Lynn]

How Uruguay's retiring President redefined his country's views on wealth
Stephanie Nolen
RICÓN DEL CERRO, Uruguay — The Globe and Mail

Published Friday, Sep. 19 2014, 6:11 PM EDT
Last updated Friday, Sep. 19 2014, 10:37 PM EDT

The President seems wistful. He flings open the wooden door of his farmhouse, squints into the early-morning light, mutters a gruff greeting. Two steps back into the gloomy interior and he sinks into the seat of power: an ancient black vinyl chair from which he does much of the governing of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay.

Jose Alberto Mujica has only a few months left as the head of this country. The constitution prohibits him from consecutive terms; once he hands over power, he plans to grow flowers, and teach young people to farm. At 79, after a life packed full of drama, he is due for a rest. He has accomplishments to savour.

And yet he leaves his country’s highest office without having accomplished all he had hoped. The President sees himself as a fighter in an epic struggle – for justice, for equality, for liberty – and that fight, by any measure, is not won. So, Mr. Mujica admits with a shrug, he may keep one hand in the game of regional diplomacy.

He retires as a man of some influence, a perhaps surprising amount for the leader of a nation of 3.3 million people tucked into the southern tip of Latin America, its very name a frequent synonym for obscurity. But in the course of Mr. Mujica’s term, Uruguay has been the subject of unprecedented international interest.

More:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/guerrilla-turned-president-is-retiring-as-a-man-of-influence/article20709506/