( CNN ) -- Famed Uruguayan author Mario Benedetti died at his home in Montevideo , Uruguay , on Sunday , his personal secretary , Ariel Silva , told CNN . Author Mario Benedetti , 88 , was battling intestinal problems and had been hospitalized earlier this month . Benedetti , 88 , was battling intestinal problems and had been hospitalized earlier this month . A descendent of Italian immigrants , Benedetti authored such best-selling novels as `` The Truce '' and `` Juan Angel 's Birthday , '' as well as a collection of short stories and poems . The poet-turned-novelist became a part of a thriving era of Latin authors including Gabriel Garcia Marquez , Carlos Fuentes , and Mario Vargas Llosa , who often intertwined politics with their work . A supporter of Fidel Castro 's government , Benedetti left Uruguay to live in exile , partly in Cuba , where his writings grew more political . `` I have never hidden my political position so I had to leave the country , '' he told CNN in a June 2005 interview . `` I 've had many mishaps , many problems in my short life , '' he added . Journalist Dario Klein in Montevideo contributed this report .
Mario Benedetti , 88 , was battling intestinal problems ; hospitalized earlier this month . Score: 6 A supporter of Fidel Castro 's government , Benedetti left Uruguay to live in exile .