Colombia and Mexico are claiming the ashes of Marquez

Colombia, where the writer was born and Mexixo, where he lived for many years, are claiming the ashes of the great Nobel Prize – winning author, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, who died last Thursday, after years of struggling with the disease.

The Colombian novelist lived for five decades in Mexico, but he never renounced his Colombian citizenship. On Friday, Ambassador of Colombia in Mexico, Jose Gabriel Ortiz told reporters that a part of his ashes will return to Colombia.

"Of course a part of the ashes will remain in Mexico and I think some ashes will be given to Colombia too, and it will remain there", said the Ambassador. "Family of Marquez will take the last decision".