Nigeria, May 14 -- The Uruguayan government confirmed Tuesday that former president Jose "Pepe" Mujica, widely known as the world's poorest president, has died at 89.

The iconic ex-guerrilla fighter and revered figure in Latin American leftist politics had been battling esophageal cancer, which spread to his liver after his diagnosis in May 2024.

"With deep sorrow, we announce the passing of our comrade Pepe Mujica. President, activist, guide, and leader. We will miss you greatly, old friend," wrote Uruguay's sitting president, Yamandu Orsi, on X (formerly Twitter).

Mujica passed away after choosing to discontinue treatment earlier this year. His wife, former senator Lucia Topolansky, confirmed he had been receiving palliative care in ...