After swearing on the Constitution, Jose Mujica became the new president of Uruguay. "I, Jose Alberto Mujica Cordano, pledge my honor to faithfully fulfill the office entrusted to me and guard and defend the Constitution of the Republic," the president said. Then it was the turn of the elected vice president, Danilo Astori. Jose Mujica, a former guerrilla, aged 74, took office yesterday as 52th President of the Republic, in ceremonies that were attended by seven presidents of America, Prince Felipe de Borbon of Spain, and Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, United States. The ceremonies began about 13:50 hours in the Legislative Palace. There, Mujica gave a speech before traveling with Astori along the way to Independence Square in an electric car.
On Sunday, in a meeting with journalists from around the world, Mujica said he is still socialist and recalled that in the decade of the 60s, in a world that was different, had the revolution as a model, but not the responsibility that the left now has learned to practice. Perhaps the only cry of those days that was heard yesterday was that of President Tabaré Vázquez - "Until victory, forever! - Which he uttered in his farewell address numerous supporters who claimed: ""Come back! We love you pal, 2014! ". The President received up today to keep the national flag as a testament to their management.

(www.elpaís.com.uy, 2 March 2010)