President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva decorated, this Thursday (5), former Uruguayan president José Pepe Mujica with the National Order of the Southern Cross. Lula is in the neighboring country to participate in the 65th Summit of Mercosur Heads of Statescheduled to take place on Friday (6).
The Brazilian visited Mujica at the leader’s house, who he called a “comrade”. “Of all the presidents I have met, he is the most extraordinary person,” said Lula. Mujica led Uruguay between 2010 and 2015.
“This medal that I am giving to Pepe Mujica is not because he was president of Uruguay. It’s because of the fact that he is who he is,” said Lula, moved. The Uruguayan thanked him for the recognition and said he was not a man with an award or medal. “I am a man of the people. I did what I could for my people. Nothing more. Lula has been a friend for many years,” said the 89-year-old Uruguayan.
Lula said that Mujica was a companion chosen by him. Mujica was also moved by the Brazilian’s words. “We are a rich continent, but with poor people.” The meeting was attended by the elected president of Uruguay Yamandú Orsi.
Dome
President Lula arrived in Uruguay today to participate in the 65th Summit of Mercosur Heads of State. Bolivia participates for the first time as a full member of the bloc. Now, the bloc covers 73% of the territory of South America and represents around 65% of the region’s population.
During the meeting, Panama will be integrated as an Associated State and will become the first Central American country to join the group. The country will sign three agreements: the Economic Complementation Agreement 76 (ACE-76), the Ushuaia Protocol on Democratic Commitment and the Presidential Declaration on Democratic Commitment.
