CARACAS, Venezuela -- A 112-year-old Venezuelan farmer has been officially recognized as the oldest living man following the death of a Spaniard who was the previous holder of the title, Guinness World Records said Tuesday.

Juan Vicente Perez was confirmed as the oldest living man in February, Guinness said in a statement on its website.

He "has exceptional health and memory. He remembers his childhood, marriage, the name of his siblings, children and grandchildren," said Guinness.

"He loves to be surrounded by family and friends as they tell stories and engage in good conversation."

Perez was born on May 27, 1909 in the western Tachira state, where by the age of five he was already helping his parents to harvest sugar cane and coffee.

As an adult, he worked as a sheriff resolving land disputes in the town where he lived.

Perez was married for 60 years until his wife Ediofina del Rosario Garcia died in 1997.

They had 11 children together. Perez has 41 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and 12 great-great grandchildren.

He told Guinness that his secret to long life is to "work hard, rest on holidays, go to bed early, drink a glass of aguardiente every day, love God, and always carry him in your heart."

The previous oldest man alive was Spaniard Saturnino de la Fuente Garcia, who died in January just under a month from his 113th birthday.

The oldest person alive is Frenchwoman Lucile Randon, a nun born on February 11, 1904, who is 118 years old.