Tabare Vazquez, a 75-year-old oncologist, becomes Uruguay's new president Sunday; his second time in that office. He was Uruguay's president from 2005 to 2010. The South American country bars presidents from serving consecutive terms, which last five years.
Mr. Vazquez takes the leadership role of Uruguay from the highly popular Jose Mujica, a former guerilla fighter known for his humble lifestyle. Both President Mujica and President-elect Vazquez belong to the Broad Front Coalition, which has been in power for a decade.
Under Mr. Mujica, Uruguay legalized marijuana and the right to an abortion. Mr. Mujica's lifestyle includes living on a modest farm and driving an aging, weathered Volkswagen Beetle. His three-legged dog is his almost-constant companion.
U.S. Vice President Joe Biden called Mr. Vazquez Saturday to offer the president-elect congratulations on his upcoming inauguration.
Biden also expressed his regrets at having to cancel his trip to the inauguration, but told Mr. Vazquez that President Barack Obama was sending Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Krysta Harden and U.S. Deputy Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Michele Sison to attend the ceremony.