Around the World: Uruguay

Leftist wins presidency

A former guerrilla fighter has achieved through the ballot box what he could never earn by bombing, kidnapping and attacking his political enemies - the power to legitimately lead an entire nation.

Jose Mujica, now president-elect of Uruguay, seemed like he could hardly believe the transformation himself in his rousing victory speech late on Sunday night, delivered as rain drenched thousands of supporters along the Ramblas, Montevideo's coastal avenue.