Prolific Colombian writer and poet Mutis dies at 90
Tributes are paid to man considered one of the best storytellers of his generation
Prolific Colombian writer and poet Alvaro Mutis Jaramillo has died in Mexico's capital. He was 90.
Mexican media quoted his wife, Carmen Miracle, as saying that he had died on Sunday at a cardiac hospital from a cardio-respiratory problem.
Mutis enjoyed wide popularity outside Colombia and was considered by critics as one of the most outstanding poets and storytellers of his generation, after his good friend, Nobel laureate Gabriel Garcia Marquez.
Despite the difficulties he faced, including time in a Mexican prison, Mutis produced an extensive collection of novels and poetry that earned major international honours.
Mexico's National Commission for Culture and the Arts lamented the death of the literary giant via its Twitter account.
Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos sent his condolences after the death was confirmed. "The millions of friends and admirers of Alvaro Mutis profoundly lament his death," Santos wrote. "All of Colombia honours him."