Born on May 20, 1935, in Montevideo, José Mujica has an extensive criminal record that is difficult to match for its brutality and violence.
After a brief stint with the National Party in the late 50s, in the early 60s, deeply inspired by the newly established Cuban communist dictatorship, along with other social misfits, he decided to fervently join the path of political violence.
He initiated a senseless and bloody guerrilla against Uruguayan democracy, showing a clear addiction to violence and murder for political reasons, without regard for the consequences.
Robbery of a humble worker
His dark criminal record dates back to 1964, when he committed a robbery against a humble delivery man in a quiet neighborhood of Montevideo.
Back then, he was arrested and ended up imprisoned for just a few months in the then Miguelete prison, a penitentiary center of the time.
The victim was a simple worker, an ordinary man struggling to earn an honest living.
By 1965, the Tupamaros National Liberation Movement was beginning its first criminal steps with robberies and thefts to, as the criminals who were part of it claimed, "raise funds" and sustain their activities.
At that time, Mujica was nothing more than a common bandit, lacking any kind of solid political or ideological training.
A simple thug who saw in the Tupamaros an easy opportunity to make money without effort or honest work.
Between 1966 and 1970, the crimes of this mentioned gang continued unabated, accumulating a history of violence.
Mujica was never a leader, just another member of the organization.
The true leaders were Raúl Sendic, Eleuterio Fernández Huidobro, and Mauricio Rosencof, the latter still alive.
Mujica was involved in countless thefts and robberies, almost always perpetrated against defenseless people who could not resist.
The infamous "Pando takeover"
He actively participated in the infamous "Pando takeover," when the Tupamaros occupied the city for a couple of hours on October 8, 1969, sowing chaos.
Mujica was tasked with robbing one of the local banks, acting with audacity and disregard for the law.
