Jose Mujica - If you've been following world politics over the past 5 years, it is almost impossible not to have heard of - or even admired - Uruguay's outspoken leader Jose Mujica.

Since becoming president of the South American country in 2010, Mujica has earned a reputation for his simple rustic lifestyle. But more importantly, the social and economic reforms he championed have distinguished Mujica from his predecessors.

Under the former guerilla fighter, who spent more than a decade in prison, Uruguay became the first country in the world to legalize marijuana cultivation and use. He also controversially legalized abortion. Mujica, who has noted that he does not really support abortion of the use of marijuana, explained that their legalization will nonetheless put the nation in a position to properly control or monitor the people who choose to engage in them. He also did much to improve the country's healthcare system and reduce proverty.

In the area of international relations, under Mujica, the diplomatic ties between Uruguay and her neighbors - Brazil and Argentina - has vastly improved. Also, Mujica has supported refugees displaced by the Syrian conflict by taking some in and funding the relocation costs of others.

His greatest shortcoming seems to be in the field of education, where critics have said he failed to spend more and implement much needed reforms.

Despite the fact that he continues to enjoy a high approval rate in Uruguay, Mujica is stepping down because the country's laws forbid a president from running for two consecutive terms.

Mujica would be succeeded in office by Tabare Vasquez, who is incidentally his immediate predecessor in power. While both men are leftists from the Broad Front Party, experts say Vasquez's outlook on some issues may be starkly different from those of Mujica.

As we see the end of a "golden era" in Uruguayan politics, many pundits are already speculating what changes the country will experience under Vasquez.