“If the inmates of Guantanamo want to make their nests in Uruguay, they can do it.”
- May 20, 1935 – May 13, 2025
- Uruguayan
- Politician, Former President of Uruguay, Former Guerrilla Fighter, Advocate for Simple Living
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Quote
“If the inmates of Guantanamo want to make their nests in Uruguay, they can do it.”
Explanation
In this quote, José Mujica expresses a humanitarian openness toward the detainees of Guantanamo Bay, framing Uruguay as a place where even the most politically stigmatized individuals might find a new beginning. The phrase “make their nests” evokes imagery of home, safety, and rebuilding, signaling Mujica’s belief that every human being deserves dignity, redemption, and the chance to start over, regardless of past circumstances.
Mujica’s stance was more than rhetorical. As president, he accepted several former Guantanamo detainees into Uruguay as refugees—a bold and compassionate decision that drew both praise and controversy. By doing so, he positioned Uruguay as a beacon of moral leadership, contrasting sharply with the global tendency to treat such individuals with permanent suspicion or hostility. His view reflects a deep commitment to human rights and international solidarity, rather than fear or political convenience.
In a world where refugees and ex-prisoners often face exclusion and dehumanization, Mujica’s words and actions offer a powerful counter-narrative: that justice must be tempered with mercy, and that even those held in the darkest corners of geopolitics deserve the chance to live in peace. His quote challenges us to consider how nations define humanity—not by guilt or fear, but by the willingness to offer shelter and hope.
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