Award-winning Mexican novelist Carlos Fuentes, regarded as the father of modern Latin American literature, died Tuesday in Mexico City at age 83.
The Panamanian-born Fuentes focused mainly on contemporary Mexico and what he saw as its political failures.
He published his first novel, The Air is Clear when he was 29. This was followed by such acclaimed works as The Death of Artemio Cruz, Old Gringo, and Aura.
Fuentes also was a college professor and served as Mexican ambassador to France.
Mexican President Felipe Calderon said he deeply regrets the death of what he called the country's beloved and admired writer.
Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.