Mexico, April 22 (RHC) -- The historic leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro, sent a floral wreath in honor of the late Colombian writer, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, with whom he maintained a strong and lasting friendship.

The wreath of white and yellow roses arrived on Monday at the Palace of Fine Arts in Mexico City, where a memorial service was held to honor the Nobel laurate, and was attended by the presidents of Mexico and Colombia.

Cuban President, Raul Castro, also sent a floral arrangement on behalf of the Cuban people, as a tribute to the inmense and mutual love and admiration that existed between the Caribbean nation and the author of 'One Hundred Years of Solitude.'

Garcia Marquez died on Thursday in Mexico City, following an acute lung and urinary infection. It is still unclear where his remains will be laid to rest, although, a Colombian initiative has proposed to divide the remains between Mexico and Colombia.