Tributes flooded social media following the news that Richard Bernal, Jamaica’s former ambassador to the United States, died suddenly after reportedly collapsing while out walking. According to reports from Jamaica, Richard Bernal died suddenly late on Wednesday, January 4.
Jamaican news outlet Jamaica Gleaner reported that Bernal collapsed while walking with his wife in Norbrook, St Andrew, an upscale neighborhood of the Kingston Metropolitan Area of Jamaica.
He was a Jamaican economist and diplomat who served as the Jamaican Ambassador to the United States from 1991 to 2001, simultaneously holding the post of Permanent Representative of Jamaica to the Organisation of American States.
Professor Bernal was also a member of the Leadership Council of the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network and served on the Board of Directors at Laspau, Harvard University. Tributes flooded social media following news of Bernal’s sudden death.
Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness said: “I am deeply saddened to learn of the sudden passing of Ambassador Richard Bernal. “Ambassador Bernal gave committed service to his beloved country, Jamaica, and to elevating our status and relations with bilateral and hemispheric partners.”
He added: “Dr. Bernal was Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States of America, and Permanent Representative to the Organisation of American States (OAS), positions he held for 10 ½ years.
“Ambassador Bernal was member of the Broad of Directors of the Inter-American Development Bank (2008-2016) and was a Chief Trade Negotiator for the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). (SOURCE)
