Uruguay: Iconic Former President Jose Mujica Diagnosed With 'Complicated' Cancer

The former Uruguay president, who captured the world's imagination for his frugal living even though he was the president of a Latin American country, Jose Mujica, revealed he has cancer. To be specific, he has a "challenging" form of esophageal cancer.

The 89-year-old president, an icon of Uruguay's political left and beloved by many, stated that a tumor was discovered in his esophagus during a routine medical exam on Friday, per Reuters. Doctors noted that this cancer "will be challenging to treat."

"This is obviously very complicated and doubly so in my case," said the 89-year-old former Uruguayan president. He led the country from 2010 to 2015 and became the model of a leader that citizens in other parts of the world wanted, as he lived simply despite his status.

Doctors are still assessing what the best-known treatment for the man Uruguayans called "Pepe" should be and warned that chemotherapy and surgery posed challenges thanks to him already having a complicated autoimmune disease.

"I want to convey to all the young people that life is beautiful, but it wears out and you fall," he told his followers following his cancer diagnosis. "The point is to start over every time you fall, and if there is anger, transform it into hope."

Mujica has vowed that his cancer diagnosis would not stop him from fighting for the causes he holds dear. Despite his retirement, the former leftist guerrilla-turned-president of Uruguay has remained quite active in his country's politics.

He has also remained friends with Pope Francis, who used to be the Archbishop of Buenos Aires in neighboring Argentina, despite Mujica being an admitted atheist.

Former Uruguay President Jose Mujica's Doctor Confirms Tumor Is Not Malignant

As for his cancer, Mujica's personal doctor, Raquel Panone, confirmed that the tumor they found was not actually malignant. However, did admit the former president's immune condition makes things complicated, so they have not yet decided on his treatment yet.

Already in his late 80s, the leftist former president stated that after his cancer diagnosis, he had been grateful for his long life and added that "Nobody can take away the good times I've had."

Former Uruguay President Jose Mujica Will Leave Behind a Complicated Legacy Despite Popularity

Before he became the president loved by many, Mujica led Tupamaros, the Marxist guerilla group that drew inspiration from the Cuban revolution. After an attack on Montevideo's streets to try and overthrow the government, he was shot, captured, and imprisoned until the dictatorship in Uruguay fell, leading to his release in 1985.

He soon rose to prominence in the country and was a trailblazer for many progressive movements across the mostly-Catholic Latin America. Under his administration, Uruguay legalized same-sex marriage, boosted women's rights, and made Uruguay the first country to legalize marijuana.

During the age of the internet, he became even more well known as he chose to live inside a modest house on the outskirts of Montevideo and donating most of his salary to charity instead of living in the lavish presidential palace in the country's capital.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Former Uruguay President Jose Mujica diagnosed with esophageal cancer - Associated Press