¡Viva Fidel! A true friend of CARICOM

THE EDITOR, Sir: THE CARIBBEAN Community (CARICOM) is deeply saddened by the death of His Excellency Fidel Castro Ruz, the former president of Cuba.

During his more than 40 years at the helm of the Cuban Revolution, president Castro transformed his country through impressive achievements in health, education, sports, culture, science and other areas of human and social development. His commitment to social justice and dignity for all people earned him global recognition and a stature as one of the influential world leaders of his time.

He generously shared his country’s expertise with other developing countries and CARICOM member states have bene- fitted significantly, and continue to do so, from Cuba’s contribution to their development. In recognition of his role in that regard, the CARICOM Heads of Government bestowed an honorary Order of the Caribbean Community on President Castro, the only such honour granted to a non-CARICOM citizen.

The Caribbean Community joins in solidarity with the government and people of Cuba and mourns with them the passing of this truly great and iconic figure whose name symbolised a revolution. ¡Viva Fidel! A true friend of the Caribbean Community. ROOSEVELT SKERRIT Prime Minister of Dominica Chairman of CARICOM