Mujica sworn in as Uruguay’s president

Jose Mujica has been sworn in as Uruguay’s new president after he won last November’s election.

After the swearing-in ceremony on Monday, the guerrilla-turned-politician vowed to deepen the policies of outgoing President Tabare Vazquez.

Despite the global economic downturn, Uruguay’s economy grew in 2009.

The outgoing leader tried to control public spending while using income tax revenues to lower unemployment and provide equal access to healthcare to everyone under 18.

While his victory was widely welcomed in the region, the 74-year-old Mujica has also pledged to promote Latin American unity.

High-ranking officials and Latin American leaders, including Colombian President Alvaro Uribe and Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez attended the inauguration.

The new Uruguayan president spent 14 years in jail for his involvement with the radical leftist movement, Tupamaros. The group carried out robberies, political kidnappings and bombings in the 1960s and 70s.

Mujica says he now rejects the “stupid ideologies” of the past.