Jose "Pepe" Mujica is the 40th President of Uruguay, former Minister of Agriculture and leader of the Movement of Popular Participation, the most voted sector within the left side coalition that currently governs the country. Mujica was also a guerrilla member of the group Tupamaros that in the 60s and early 70s fought the government influenced by the Cuban revolution and the Communist bloc. Mujica was imprisoned by the military government of Uruguay for 13 years (1972-1985). After being freed, he decided to stop his participation as a guerrilla leader, transforming his military-political group into a democratic movement that is now the most popular in the country. His presidency (2010-2015) was a very progressive and controversial mandate: he legalised the production of marijuana and put the State in charge of its commercialisation, in an unprecedented action in the war against drug trafficking. During his time in office Uruguay also legalised homosexual marriage and abortion. His very austere way of life and criticism to consumerism gains him the nickname of the “poorest president of the world".

Refreshments will be served from 4.30pm - the talk will start at 5.00pm. 

This event is now full. A recording of the talk will be uploaded in due course on the Blavatnik School website after the event.

The event is co-hosted by the Oxford Uruguyan Society and the Oxford Latin American Society.