Jamaica’s former ambassador to the US Richard Bernal who died suddenly on Wednesday after he collapsed in St. Andrew is remembered as one who committed his service to his country.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness reacted to his passing and expressed sadness stating that Bernal gave committed service to Jamaica and elevated the country’s status and relations with bilateral and hemispheric partners.
He said Jamaica has lost a pillar of the academic and diplomatic community.
Holness also said the former ambassador represented the people of Jamaica with honor, dignity, and professionalism, and declared that Bernal’s legacy will “live on in the continued manifestation of Jamaica’s positive engagements with our global partners and dexterous navigation of global issues that affect the South and, indeed, the world as a whole.”
Leader of the Opposition, Mark Golding also expressed sadness at Bernal’s passing.
Golding described Bernal as a Jamaican who achieved at the highest international levels and said the country owes him a debt of appreciation for his great contribution.
Bernal, who was an economist and long-time diplomat served as Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States and Permanent Representative to the Organization of American States (OAS), for over ten years between May 6, 1991, and August 31, 2001.
He also held several regional and international positions. He was a member of the board of directors of the Inter-American Development Bank and was a Chief Trade Negotiator for CARICOM.
For eight years as Director-General of the Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery (RNM), Richard Bernal was responsible for CARICOM’s trade negotiations.
