underwent an emergency surgical procedure, during which he experienced three cardiac arrests. After four hours, his death was announced by the heads of the American Popular Revolutionary Alliance (APRA) political party and Nidia Vílchez, with the cause being a "massive" cerebral hemorrhage and cardiorespiratory arrest. According to police sources, García had shot himself with his Colt Anaconda revolver, which had been given to him as a gift by the Peruvian Navy during his second term, and was among nine other firearms that the former president was licensed to own. A few hours after his death was announced, García's body was taken in a wooden casket to the APRA headquarters in Lima, where a memorial service was held on the same day. President Martín Vizcarra declared a three-day mourning period. Various Peruvian and foreign authorities and personalities expressed their condolences to the family for the death of the former president. On social media, public opinion was more polarized. Public image García was 2008 Latin Business Chronicles "leader of the year" at a time when Peru was ranked as Latin America's third-best country for business. Awards and recognitions Doctor Honoris Causa - University of Delhi (1987) Published works García was the author of several books on Peruvian and Latin American affairs. Most of them may be found in the National Library of Peru. His published works include the following: 1981 1982 1987 1990 1991 1992 1994 1997 1997 1999 2000 2003 2005 2011 2012 2012 2013 2013 2014 2015 2019 Electoral history See also List of heads of state and government who committed suicide First presidency of Alan García Second presidency of Alan García References External links Office of the President of the Republic of Peru official website APRA's official site Latin Business Chronicle, "Leader of the Year 2008: Alan García", 23 December 2008 Extended biography by CIDOB Foundation Peru Election 2006 profile. The University of British Columbia "Exiled García back in Peru", BBC News Online, 28 January 2001 cverdad.org (A brief report made by the Peruvian Commission of Truth involving Alan García) "Extract from article discussing García's 2006 election victory", 23 June 2006 "Welcome to Washington, Mr. Peruvian President: Alan García Perez’s Regional Foreign Policy" , Analysis by the Council on Hemispheric Affairs, 5 October 2006 |- |- |- |- |- |- |- 1949 births 2019 deaths 20th-century Peruvian politicians 21st-century Peruvian politicians American Popular Revolutionary Alliance politicians Candidates for President