The United States on Monday congratulated Jose Mujica on his victory in Uruguay's presidential election.
Mujica, 74, from the ruling leftist Broad Front coalition, won Sunday's runoff election with 52.7% of the vote. His rival Luis Alberto Lacalle, 68, from the opposition National Party, garnered 43.1%.
"We congratulate President-elect Mujica on his election, and commend the people of Uruguay for their strong commitment to democracy," State Department spokesman Ian Kelly said.
Kelly called Uruguay "a valued partner" of the U.S. and said the country is "a leader in the promotion of democracy and stability in the region."
"We look forward to working with President-elect Mujica to deepen our partnership and advance common goals for the benefit of the people of Uruguay and of the Americas," he said.
The Uruguayan president is elected for a single five-year term, but can run again after spending a term out of office.
Mujica will become Uruguay's oldest ever president when he takes office on March 1, 2010.
WASHINGTON, November 30 (RIA Novosti)
