Tributes Pour in for Former Barbados Prime Minister
Tributes began pouring in via social media following the death of former Barbados Prime Minister Owen Arthur on Monday 27 July, with many recalling his intellect and passion for regional integration.
Mr Arthur, 70, was Barbados’ longest serving Prime Minister.
Leading the tributes, Prime Minister Mia Mottley, current Prime Minister of Barbados, hailed him as a “man for the times”. She remembered how proud he was, to sign on to the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), the regional flagship programme for which Barbados holds responsibility in the CARICOM Quasi Cabinet.
President of Guyana, His Excellency David Granger, with whom Mr. Arthur met in February as Head of the Commonwealth Observer Mission to Guyana’s elections, was saddened at the former Prime Minister’s death.
Former Barbados Then Prime Minister Owen Arthur in conversation with then Finance Minister of Jamaica, Omar Davies 
Then Prime Minister Arthur (r) with Heads of Government following a CARICOM Summit 
As Prime Minister of Barbados, Mr. Owen Arthur (second from right) in discussion with other Heads of Government, from left, the Hon Keith Mitchell of Grenada, the Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit of Dominica, the Hon. Denzil Douglas of St. Kitts and Nevis and Dr. the Hon. Ralph Gonsalves of St. Vincent and the Grenadines
CARICOM Secretary-General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque also mourned PM Arthur’s passing, describing him as an “ardent regionalist”.
The Secretary-General and the entire Caribbean Community mourn the passing of an ardent regionalist, former Prime Minister Professor Owen Arthur. May he Rest in Peace.#CARICOM #OwenArthur #Barbados pic.twitter.com/XdWM2pzSlr
— Caribbean Community (CARICOM) (@CARICOMorg) July 27, 2020
Other regional leaders also expressed their sympathy.
Prime Minister of Jamaica, the Rt. Hon. Andrew Holness, said he was truly saddened by Arthur’s death. He recalled that the former Prime Minister served Barbados and the Caribbean with distinction.
Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, the Hon. Allen Chastanet, also extended sympathy to the family of the late Prime Minister.
In a press statement, Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Dr. the Hon. Timothy Harris, Arthur’s “sharp intellect and deep-rooted commitment to regional integration will be long remembered and missed”.
Former CARICOM Assistant Secretary-General, Dr. Edward Greene, and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) also offered brief tributes.
With deep sadness at the loss of a CARICOM Champion, intellectual leader and stalwart advocate for Caribbean regional integration # Former Barbados Prime Minister Owen Arthur passes @caricomorg https://t.co/zERdsWLpAO @EdwardGreene1
— Edward Greene (@EdwardGreene1) July 27, 2020
The @ILOCaribbean Office extends condolences to the Government and people of Barbados on the passing of former Prime Minister the Right Hon. Owen Arthur.
📷: Visit to the ILO Caribbean Office June 1999 pic.twitter.com/0DrBxtgVbi— ILO Caribbean (@ILOCaribbean) July 27, 2020
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