Former Timor-Leste President Francisco Guterres Dies at 71

Former Timor-Leste President Francisco Guterres has died at the age of 71 at Prince Court Hospital in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He passed away on Sunday (21 June) after receiving intensive medical treatment.

Guterres served as president of Timor-Leste from 2017 to 2022 and was a key figure in the country’s struggle for independence.

The news was confirmed by his family and officially announced by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who described his passing as a great loss for the nation of Timor-Leste and the international community.

In a Facebook post on Monday (22 June), Anwar said Guterres belonged to the generation that fought for Timor-Leste’s independence and remained committed to the freedom of his people and the development of a democratic state.

“I mourn the passing of former Timor-Leste President Francisco Guterres. On behalf of Malaysia, I extend my condolences to his family and to the people of Timor-Leste,” he said, as reported by Malaysian media outlet Malay Mail on Monday.

Anwar noted that Guterres spent many years in the resistance movement, where he was known as Lú-Olo, before later serving his country as President of the National Parliament and Head of State.

“Malaysia mourns his passing alongside the people of Timor-Leste. He will be remembered here with deep respect and affection,” Anwar said in his post.

Earlier, Dili-based media outlet Timor Today News reported that Guterres died at Prince Court Hospital in Kuala Lumpur after undergoing intensive medical care.