Kingston – Prime Minister Andrew Holness paid tribute on Monday to former United States Secretary of State Colin Powell, who died of complications related to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). He was 84.
Holness extended condolences to Powell’s family and the people of the United States on behalf of the government and people of Jamaica.
He said Powell had “lived a distinguished life of service”, adding that three years ago, “I had the distinct pleasure of meeting him”.
“We have had many good conversations and very interesting discussions about Jamaica and the developments taking place,” Holness said in a statement posted on his Twitter account.
“General Colin Powell is the first Jamaican-American to serve on the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) as Chairman.”
Powell, the son of Jamaican immigrants, became the first black man to rise to the highest positions in U.S. military and diplomacy.
He rose through the ranks of the military to become a four-star general and he also served as the 65th U.S. Secretary of State from 2001 to 2005, also becoming the first Black Secretary of State.
His family said in a statement that Powell was fully vaccinated against the viral illness.
(CMC/AR)
