• Mario Vargas Llosa, renowned Peruvian author, has died at age 89.
• The Peruvian government declared a national day of mourning in his honor.
• Vargas Llosa won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2010 for his influential works.
• He was a significant figure of the Latin American literary boom alongside Gabriel García Márquez.
• His family confirmed that there will be no public ceremony; his remains will be cremated.

Mario Vargas Llosa, the influential Peruvian writer and Nobel Prize laureate, passed away at the age of 89 on April 13 in Lima, surrounded by his family. His family announced that there would be no public ceremony and that he would be cremated, following his wishes, according to The New York Times.

In recognition of his significant contributions to literature, Peru's government declared April 14 a national day of mourning. Flags flew at half-mast, and fans laid flowers outside his residence in Barranco, Lima. President Dina Boluarte referred to Vargas Llosa as a "figure of national acclaim" and visited his home to express condolences to the family, as noted by Reuters.

Vargas Llosa was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2010 for works such as "Aunt Julia and the Scriptwriter," "Death in the Andes," and "The War of the End of the World," which highlighted the social and political realities of Latin America. His novels often interwoven personal experiences with broader societal commentary, establishing him as a leading voice of the Latin American literary boom, as highlighted by HuffPost.

His debut novel, "The Time of the Hero," published in 1962, drew from his own experiences at a military academy and critiqued the militaristic culture of Peru, provoking outrage from military authorities. As discussed in Los Angeles Times, this book helped solidify his place in the literary scene.

Vargas Llosa's career extended beyond literature into the political arena, as he ran for the presidency of Peru in 1990 but was defeated by Alberto Fujimori. He later expressed his discontent with the political climate in Peru, transitioning from early leftist ideologies to a firm stance against authoritarianism. His reflections on political subjects showcased the depth of his insights, as noted by BBC.

Vargas Llosa's legacy is characterized by his extensive bibliography and his ability to provoke thought on issues surrounding power and human rights. His passing has left a significant void in the literary and cultural landscape of Latin America, with tributes pouring in from fellow writers and readers around the globe. "His intellectual genius and vast body of work will remain an everlasting legacy for future generations," remarked President Boluarte, recognizing his impact according to India Times.