Alarcon passed away on May 1 at the age of 84.

In a letter addressed to Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel, Caricom Secretary General Carla Barnett described as constructive Alarcon’s diplomatic work in favor of bilateral ties. In that regard, she recalled that “he participated in the negotiations that led to the establishment of diplomatic relations between Cuba and the first four Caricom nations: Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago in 1972,” the text noted.

Finally, Barnett, on behalf of the regional bloc, conveyed condolences to the family and people of Cuba “for the loss of this great servant of his country and true friend of the Caribbean Community.”

Alarcon served as Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1992 to 1993. He was Cuba’s ambassador to the United Nations, and for 20 years he presided over Cuba’s National People’s Power Assembly (unicameral parliament). jg/arm/rgh/avs