The Congress, where Mercedes Sosa's body was kept in a coffin, reopened between 9.30 and 11am this morning for a last goodbye to "the Voice of Latin America." Her body arrived at the Chacarita cemetery, where it was cremated. Thousands of fans followed the coffin to the cemetery.

Her ashes will be spread between Mendoza, Tucumán and Buenos Aires City, as she requested. The Argentine singer passed away on Sunday morning at age 74.

The President was in the Congress yesterday evening with Néstor Kirchner and a large part of the cabinet. Three days of National mourning were declared by decree.

The government qualified Mercedes Sosa as "an unquestionable icon of Argentine music", adding that she "was always in favor of social compromise", a "true giver", showing "intellectual honesty" and "a fierce defender of human rights and fair causes."

"National mourning is declared for a period of three days from today (Sunday, October 4th) for the death of Haydee Mercedes Sosa," said the President, who added: "The national flag will be up at half mast on all public buildings."

"SHE DIED IN PEACE"

Mercedes Sosa's son, Fabián Matus, declared this morning that her mother was "a free woman" and said he was sure she "died in peace and there was probably not much left she wanted to do and had not already done."

Matus told local reporters that in the last days, Mercedes Sosa "asked us to put music for her, she spent a lot of time with earphones put and filled herself with music."

Asked about what she left behind for him, Matus answered: "The love for freedom, respect for all, love for democracy, solidarity and respect."

Fabián Matus said he was really thankful that so many people had come to the Congress to see her one last time. "It is a great proof of love for mum," he said.

Thousands of fans were present all day yesterday, as well as many Argentine folklore music stars, such as Teresa Parodi, Piero, Peteco Carabajal, Farías Gómez or Luis Salinas. The Congress reopened this morning so that the fans who could not enter yesterday can do so today.

At 11am, her body was transferred to the Chacarita cemetery to be cremated, following her will. Her ashes will be spread between Mendoza, Tucumán and Buenos Aires City, as she requested.

Mercedes Sosa passed away on October 4th, at 5.35am. She had been admitted in the intensive care unit of a Buenos Aires clinic on September 18th, after suffering kidney insufficiencies.

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