Mexico City, April 21 (RHC) – The presidents of Mexico and Colombia attended a memorial ceremony for novelist Gabriel Garcia Marquez on Monday. The homage to the late writer is being held at Mexico City's most prestigious cultural venue, the Bellas Artes theater.

Garcia Marquez had ties to both countries. Born in Colombia, he spent much of his adult life and wrote his greatest works in Mexico. The author's remains were cremated, and the final resting place for his ashes remains unclear.

Colombia's ambassador to Mexico says it's up to the family of the Nobel laureate who died on Thursday in Mexico City. The family has not revealed its wishes.

Ambassador Jose Gabriel Ortiz says Colombians from President Juan Manuel Santos on down want to see the remains divided between Mexico and Colombia.