KINGSTON, Jamaica — Prime Minister Andrew Holness this morning said the Govenment and people of Jamaica join Cubans in mourning the passing of former President Fidel Castro.

In a news relrase today, Holness said he has written to President Raul Castro extending deep sympathies on behalf of Jamaica.

Holness said: “The Government and people of Jamaica join me in extending to you, the entire Castro family and the Government and people of Cuba our deepest condolences on this occasion.”

Holness remembered Castro for his revolutionary leadership and guidance of the Cuban state.

“He will go down in the annals of history as one of the leaders who, though coming from a Caribbean island developing State, has had the greatest impact on world history.Many Jamaicans still vividly remember his visits to Jamaica and his passionate speeches in defence of the right to self-determination,” Holness added.

He said that Jamaica has enjoyed strong bilateral relations with Cuba for more than four decades, particularly in the fields of health and education, and that Cuba was also a leading champion of strong south-south outreach and cooperation.

“His building of excellent education and health systems in Cuba has become an outstanding model for the world. The people of Jamaica remain deeply appreciative of the significant contribution that Cuban medical personnel continue to make to the Jamaica health services, through a process of technical cooperation initiated under the leadership of President Fidel,” Holness said.

Castro died late last night. He was 90.