DILI, 22 June 2026 (TATOLI) — President José Ramos-Horta on Monday mourned the death of former President Francisco Guterres ‘Lú-Olo’, describing it as a great loss for Timor-Leste and paying tribute to the veteran independence leader’s contributions to the country’s struggle for independence and nation-building efforts.
In a statement published on his official Facebook page, Ramos-Horta extended his condolences to Lú-Olo’s wife, children and family members, as well as to the leadership and supporters of the Revolutionary Front for an Independent Timor-Leste (FRETILIN).
The president said he received news of Lú-Olo’s passing with “extreme sadness,” noting that Timor-Leste had lost one of its most prominent political figures whose public service and leadership played a significant role in the country’s development.
Ramos-Horta revealed that during a visit to Malaysia from June 13 to 16, he personally visited the former head of state in hospital, where Lú-Olo was receiving intensive care treatment. During the visit, he received updates on the former president’s condition from the Timorese doctor overseeing his medical care.
The president also met with Lú-Olo’s wife, Cidália Lopes Nobre Mouzinho Guterres, and was informed of the seriousness of his health condition.
Ramos-Horta said he had deliberately refrained from publicly disclosing details of Lú-Olo’s illness out of respect for the privacy of the patient and his family. He only confirmed his hospital visit after returning to Dili.
According to the president, information regarding Lú-Olo’s critical condition was later shared privately with the top leadership of FRETILIN.
Paying tribute to the late leader, Ramos-Horta described Lú-Olo as “a great patriot” and one of the central figures in Timor-Leste’s national liberation struggle.
He said that Lú-Olo, a historic leader of FRETILIN, served in several senior positions within the Timorese state throughout his political career.
The president said he had instructed Timor-Leste’s embassy in Malaysia to coordinate with the family and relevant authorities to facilitate the repatriation of Lú-Olo’s remains.
He added that he had also requested national carrier Aero Dili to prepare a special flight to transport the former president’s body back to Timor-Leste.
TATOLI
