Havana, January 27 (RHC)-- On Tuesday, former Uruguayan President José Mujica paid tribute to Cuban National Hero José Martí.

Mujica attended a meeting of intellectuals, in the framework of the 57th edition of Casa de las Americas Literary Prize, sponsored by the Havana-based cultural institution of the same name.

Addressing the Cuban and foreign delegates, former president and current Uruguayan senator Mujica, said that social movements and progressive forces will always find inspiration in world figures like José Martí, particularly his humanism and pro-independence ideas.

Mujica said Martí is like a bridge that connects 19th century Latin American independence heroes and their struggles with today's independence fighters.

He said: “Their experiences, everything they lived through, constitute lessons that we must learn to confront the major obstacles and challenges that we face today and into the future. We owe Martí and others like him a huge debt.”