Jamaica mourns death of Fidel Castro

Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness issued a statement on Saturday to pay tribute to Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro, who passed away late Friday at the age of 90.

Holness said he had written to Raul Castro, president of the Council of State and the Council of Ministers of Cuba, to extend deep sympathies over the death of Fidel Castro on behalf of Jamaica.

"The government and people of Jamaica join me in extending to you, the entire Castro family and the government and people of Cuba our deepest condolences on this occasion," said Holness in the statement.

The prime minister said Fidel Castro is remembered for his revolutionary leadership and guidance of the Cuban state.

"He will go down in the annals of history as one of the leaders who, though coming from a Caribbean island developing state, has had the greatest impact on world history," he said.

"Many Jamaicans still vividly remember his visits to Jamaica and his passionate speeches in defence of the right to self-determination," he said.

Holness said Cuba, under the leadership of Fidel Castro, was a leading champion of strong south-south cooperation, which has benefited Jamaica for decades.

"His building of excellent education and health systems in Cuba has become an outstanding model for the world," he said.

"The people of Jamaica remain deeply appreciative of the significant contribution that Cuban medical personnel continue to make to the Jamaican health services, through a process of technical cooperation initiated under the leadership of President Fidel," he added. Endi