The Real News Podcast Pepe Mujica: From political prisoner to Uruguayan president | Ep 36 Stories of Resistance
May 20, 2025
07:12
José “Pepe” Mujica was a former political prisoner who suffered more than a decade of prison and torture under Uruguay’s military dictatorship. He rose to become the country’s president from 2010 through 2015.
They called him the world’s humblest president. He was often seen driving himself in his 1987 baby blue VW bug. He lived on a farm. His clothes were simple. So were his words and his actions. Yet he created tremendous change and left an indelible mark on the tiny country of Uruguay and the entire region of Latin America.
This is episode 36 of Stories of Resistance—a podcast co-produced by The Real News and Global Exchange. Independent investigative journalism, supported by Global Exchange's Human Rights in Action program. Each week, we’ll bring you stories of resistance like this. Inspiration for dark times
If you like what you hear, please subscribe, like, share, comment, or leave a review.
You can also follow Michael Fox’s reporting and support his work and this podcast at patreon.com/mfox.
Written and produced by Michael Fox.
Resources: Below are some excellent videos in Spanish.
Las frases más memorables de Mujica: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIEphwjxKwo
PEPE MUJICA se despide por sorpresa: "Hasta siempre, les doy mi corazón": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uu2Erk16boU
Here is a video of people staying goodbye to Mujica on the streets of Uruguay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWK4INMcnqw
Subscribe to Stories of Resistance podcast here
Become a member and join the Stories of Resistance Supporters Club today!
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Donate to support this podcast
Help us continue producing radically independent news and in-depth analysis by following us and becoming a monthly sustainer.
Follow us on:
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Become a member and join the Supporters Club for The Real News Podcast today!
They called him the world’s humblest president. He was often seen driving himself in his 1987 baby blue VW bug. He lived on a farm. His clothes were simple. So were his words and his actions. Yet he created tremendous change and left an indelible mark on the tiny country of Uruguay and the entire region of Latin America.
This is episode 36 of Stories of Resistance—a podcast co-produced by The Real News and Global Exchange. Independent investigative journalism, supported by Global Exchange's Human Rights in Action program. Each week, we’ll bring you stories of resistance like this. Inspiration for dark times
If you like what you hear, please subscribe, like, share, comment, or leave a review.
You can also follow Michael Fox’s reporting and support his work and this podcast at patreon.com/mfox.
Written and produced by Michael Fox.
Resources: Below are some excellent videos in Spanish.
Las frases más memorables de Mujica: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIEphwjxKwo
PEPE MUJICA se despide por sorpresa: "Hasta siempre, les doy mi corazón": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uu2Erk16boU
Here is a video of people staying goodbye to Mujica on the streets of Uruguay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWK4INMcnqw
Subscribe to Stories of Resistance podcast here
Become a member and join the Stories of Resistance Supporters Club today!
Sign up for our newsletter
Follow us on Bluesky
Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Donate to support this podcast
Help us continue producing radically independent news and in-depth analysis by following us and becoming a monthly sustainer.
Follow us on:
Bluesky: @therealnews.com
Facebook: The Real News Network
Twitter: @TheRealNews
YouTube: @therealnews
Instagram: @therealnewsnetwork
Become a member and join the Supporters Club for The Real News Podcast today!