Argentine singer Facundo Cabral shot dead in Guatemala

Argentine singer Facundo Cabral shot dead in Guatemala

2011-07-10 04:45:01 GMT+7 (ICT)

GUATEMALA CITY (BNO NEWS) -- Argentine singer Facundo Cabral on Saturday was shot dead in the Guatemalan capital by unknown gunmen, Prensa Libre newspaper reported.

According to authorities, Cabral was heading from his hotel to the airport in Guatemala City when unidentified gunmen attacked his car, killing him and injuring concert promoter and driver of the car Henry Fariña.

Interior Minister Carlos Menocal said Cabral had planned to take the airport shuttle provided by the hotel, but changed plans last night after accepting a ride from Fariña. Menocal added that the attackers were aiming for the concert promoter.

Guatemalan President Alvaro Colom blamed people involved in organized crime since the attack looked like a "well-planned operation." He also announced three days of official mourning.

The 74-year-old singer gave his last concert in the city of Quetzaltenango, 200 kilometers (120 miles) west of Guatemala city, on Thursday.

The death of one of Latin America's most famous folk singers caused outraged and grief around the world. He was recognized in 1996 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization as a "World Peace Messenger."

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