[1][2] He received his law degree from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) in Belo Horizonte.

[1] Garcia served simultaneously as both the vice governor of Minas Gerais and the mayor of Belo Horizonte from April 1983 until August 14, 1984.

[1] On August 14, 1984, Governor Tancredo Neves resigned from office to begin his campaign for President of Brazil.

Garcia was elected governor of Minas Gerais in 1990, this time as a member of the Brazilian Labour Party (PTB).

[1] The current governor of Minas Gerais, Fernando Pimentel, declared three days of mourning in the state following his death.