Former Uruguayan President Jose Mujica says he has esophageal cancer

Jose Mujica, the former president of Uruguay known for his bold socialist agenda, says he has been diagnosed with esophageal cancer

SANTIAGO, Chile -- Jose Mujica, the former president of Uruguay known for his bold socialist agenda, said Monday he has been diagnosed with esophageal cancer.

Mujica, 88, said the tumor was discovered during a routine checkup last Friday. He said the diagnosis compounds his health problems as he also suffers from an autoimmune disease.

Better known as “Pepe” Mujica, the former president, once a Marxist guerrilla, governed Uruguay from 2010 and 2015