NEW YORK, USA — Caribbean officials have paid tribute to Charles Rangel, a towering figure in American politics and longtime friend of the region, who died on Monday at age 94.
Rangel, a decorated Korean War veteran and founding member of the US Congressional Black Caucus, served in the United States Congress for 46 years, representing the historic neighborhood of Harlem from 1971 until his retirement in 2017.
News of his passing came on Memorial Day, a poignant coincidence given his military service and lifelong commitment to public duty. Rangel made history as the first African American to chair the influential House Ways and Means Committee and played a central role in shaping fiscal policy in the U.S.
Over his decades in office, Rangel became a vocal advocate for Caribbean issues, using his platform to support economic development, immigration reform, and improved U.S.–Caribbean relations.
Jamaican-American Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke, who represents New York’s 9th District, hailed Rangel as a mentor and icon.
“It is with profound sadness to hear of the passing of my friend and mentor, the Honorable Congressman Charles Rangel,” said Clarke in a statement. “Mr. Rangel was a true New Yorker and a son of Harlem… he understood the diversity of his city and advocated for the rights of Haitian migrants, for strengthening U.S. and Cuban relations, and for fostering economic development and opportunity for the people of his city.”
Caribbean political leaders echoed her sentiments. Jamaica’s Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) praised Rangel’s longstanding support for the island and its people.
“As a true friend of Jamaica, Congressman Rangel’s unwavering support and advocacy were invaluable, especially during the 1970s,” the party said in a statement. “His commitment to our nation’s progress and well-being was evident in his work as our liaison in Congress, consistently prioritising Jamaica’s interests.”
The PNP added that Rangel’s values of strength and compassion were exemplified in both word and deed:
“As he often emphasised, ‘A great people can be strong without being cruel,’ and his legacy embodies this spirit.”
While his career was not without controversy — including a 2010 ethics censure over corporate-sponsored trips to the Caribbean — Rangel remained a popular and influential figure, known for his fierce intellect and unrelenting pursuit of justice.
Tributes from across the U.S. political spectrum poured in, including one from Hillary Clinton, who Rangel helped launch into the Senate in 2000. “I’ll miss Charlie Rangel, a beloved icon and public servant of New York,” Clinton wrote on social media. “He urged me to run for the Senate and later was an invaluable colleague.”
The Congressional Black Caucus called Rangel “a trailblazer and statesman,” and remembered him as the “Lion of Lenox Avenue” — a nickname reflecting his roots in Harlem and his formidable presence in Washington.
As Caribbean leaders and diaspora communities reflect on his passing, Rangel’s legacy as a champion for equity, civil rights, and Caribbean-American relations remains deeply felt.
