Mourners wept, raised their arms and marched behind the flag-draped casket of former President José Mujica on Wednesday as thousands bid a poignant farewell to the iconic leader in the Uruguayan capital.

The Uruguayan government has declared three days of national mourning in honor of the late former President Jose "Pepe" Mujica.

He oversaw an economic boom, a reduction in poverty, and the legalization of abortion, same-sex marriage and marijuana.