Mexican singer Óscar Chávez passes away

Mexican singer, musician, and songwriter Óscar Chávez , who wrote “ Por ti ,” “ Macondo ,” and “ La niña de Guatemala ,” passed away on Thursday afternoon at 85 years old.

Mexico’s Culture Ministry broke the news through its social media platforms.

The musician was recently hospitalized after he showed symptoms of COVID-19 .

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A baritone, Chávez immortalized songs like “ Se vende mi país ,” and “ Mariana .” Also an actor, he became popular with the film “ Los caifanes ” in 1967, directed by Juan Ibáñez , in which he played a character that was a member of a criminal gang. He won an Ariel Award for his role in “ El estilos .”

A singer of trova , traditional Mexican music , and ballads , Chávez was appointed as a Living Cultural Heritage by Mexico City's Culture Ministry.

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Among other accomplishments, he was homaged by Mexico’s Association of Songwriters and Composers on the 25th and 50th anniversaries of his music career; he received the National Award for Sciences and Arts and received an honorary doctorate from the Autonomous University of the State of Mexico.

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