In the soaring palace of Uruguay’s parliament, leftist presidents from the region came to remember former President José Mujica on Thursday as a generous and charismatic leader whose legacy of humility remained an example for the world’s politicians.

Montevideo, May 15 (RHC)--The Legislative Palace, where the remains of former Uruguayan President José "Pepe" Mujica were laid to rest, closed its doors at 4:40 PM (local time) to begin the private ceremony in tribute to the life of the man recognized as the most austere revolutionary.

José "Pepe" Mujica, former president of Uruguay and a symbol of the Latin American left, died Tuesday at the age of 89 in Montevideo after a battle with esophageal cancer. "With deep sorrow, we announce the passing of Pepe Mujica.