Famed Argentine folk singer Mercedes Sosa hospitalized, breathing with a respirator

Argentine folk singer Mercedes Sosa on respirator

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — Argentine folk singer Mercedes Sosa was in critical condition, breathing on a respirator after suffering liver, kidney, heart and breathing problems. Her son said it’s a time for prayer.

“I think it’s a moment for prayer, for those of us who are believers,” Matus Sosa said. “And for those who aren’t, I ask you to show some strength, because positive thinking exists.”

Sosa’s condition “has progressively worsened due to heart failure and breathing problems,” said the statement from Trinidad Clinic in the Argentine capital’s Palermo neighborhood. Family members of the singer thanked doctors for their “concern and discretion” in the same statement.

“I’m absolutely sure that mom is doing everything possible to come out of this,” he added. “She has lived fully her 74 years,” he said. “She’s done everything she wanted, and never had any barrier or fear. She has lived a very full life, and a painful one.”

Argentine Health Minister Juan Manzur also visited her in the clinic. He said doctors have done “everything medically possible” and that the only thing left is to hope she’ll improve over time.

“Unfortunately, we don’t have good news,” singer Victor Heredia, a close friend, said Thursday. “These things we imagine may come at some faraway time and place. But wen they come suddenly, it’s devastating to me.”

“I was with her the day before yesterday, and apart from her delicate situation, she was absolutely lucid,” Heredia told Radio 10.

The 74-year-old “Voice of Latin America was hospitalized 12 days ago, but on Thursday her temperature rose and she had to be put on an artificial respirator.

Sosa was nominated last month for three Latin Grammy awards for her latest album “Cantora 1,” in which she sings classic folk songs along with other Latin American stars including Shakira, Fito Paez, Gustavo Cerati, Julieta Venegas, Joan Manuel Serrat, Joaquin Sabina, Lila Downs and Calle 13.

The awards will be presented on Nov. 5 in Las Vegas.

Sosa has recorded more than 70 albums. Her signature song is “Gracias a la vida,” or “Thanks to Life.”