Mexico City, April 18
Gabriel Garcia Marquez, the Nobel laureate whose novels and short stories exposed millions outside Latin America to its passions, violence and social inequality, has died at home in Mexico City. He was 87. His epic novel ‘One Hundred Years of Solitude’ sold more than 50 million copies in over 25 languages.

The Mexican government said Garcia Marquez died at 2 pm on Thursday. “A thousand years of solitude and sadness because of the death of the greatest Colombian of all time!” Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos said on Twitter. His family said late Thursday in a statement that Garcia Marquez's remains would be cremated and a private ceremony held at an unspecific time. — AP