Argentine folk singer Mercedes Sosa, the “voice of Latin America” whose music inspired opponents of South America’s brutal military regimes and led to her forced exile in Europe, died Sunday, her family said. Sosa was best known for signature tunes such as “Gracias a la Vida” (“Thanks to Life”) and “Si se Calla el Cantor” (“If the Singer is Silenced”). She had been in the hospital for more than two weeks with liver problems and had since been suffering from progressive kidney failure and cardiac arrest. Her latest album, “Cantora 1,” has been nominated for three prizes in the upcoming Latin Grammy awards, including album of the year and best folkloric album. Mercedes Sosa was 74
