Former Uruguayan President José (Pepe) Mujica has openly criticized the political systems in Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua, stating bluntly that "it's not working" when discussing the governance and democratic practices in these nations. In a recent interview with El País, Mujica expressed his strong disapproval of the power structures in these countries, which he believes "pretend to uphold democracy" while disregarding its essential principles.
Addressing the Cuban regime, Mujica observed that Cuba's situation is distinct from the other two countries because it defined its path 70 years ago by establishing a dictatorship of the proletariat and a single-party system. "It doesn't work, it doesn't work, but they defined it," he remarked. Mujica was even more critical when discussing the authoritarian models that have persisted for decades in Latin America.
Criticism of Electoral Manipulation
Regarding the political climates in Venezuela and Nicaragua, Mujica expressed his frustration at how these governments conduct elections only to alter or commit fraud based on the outcomes. "It infuriates me when they play at democracy, hold elections, and then tamper with the results or commit fraud. It defies logic," he declared passionately.
Having once had connections with the late Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez, Mujica emphasized the distinction between Chávez and his successor, Nicolás Maduro. "Chávez was one thing, Maduro is another," he stated. Through his comments, Mujica reinforced his critical stance against authoritarian regimes that, in his view, disrespect democratic principles and manipulate electoral processes for their benefit.
Mujica's View on Venezuela
At 91 years old, Mujica has been vocal about his opinions on Venezuela's leadership. In 2019, he accused Nicolás Maduro of having "distorted Chavismo," describing him as a dictator. As one of the most popular leaders in the region, Mujica has consistently argued that Venezuela is a dictatorship that oppresses its people, a sentiment he has expressed in previous discussions about the country.