The Havana-based Casa de las Americas cultural institution mourns the death of Mercedes Barcha, widow of Colombian author Gabriel Garcia Marquez.

Barcha, who was married to the Nobel Literature Prize Laureate for 56 years, died this past Saturday, August 15th in Mexico City, at the age of 87.

In a message on Twitter, Casa de las Americas recalled the frequent visits of La Gaba –as Mercedes Barcha was also known—to Cuba and Casa de las Americas, always accompanying her husband –who was fondly called El Gabo.

Cuban president Miguel Diaz-Canel also lamented the death of Mercedes Barcha.

Upon learning the sad news, Diaz-Canel wrote on Twitter: Mercedes Barcha, the widow and inseparable companion of Gabriel García Marquez has died. Just like El Gabo, she was a loyal friend of Cuba. Our sincere condolences to her family and friends.

Barcha contributed to the promotion of Garcia Marquez's work. After his death in April of 2014, she donated most of his personal collection, which included first editions of his entire literary and journalistic production, a total of 45 books, which were translated into 43 different languages.