Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Gov. Arnold Indalecio Palacios died Wednesday night after collapsing earlier in the day and being medevaced to Guam. He was 69.
Acting Gov. David M. Apatang released a statement at 11 p.m. Wednesday announcing the governor’s death, saying Palacios “leaves behind a legacy defined by resilience, perseverance, humility, visionary leadership, and a deep love for the Commonwealth and its people. He will be remembered as a unifier, a steady hand during times of challenge, and a leader who never wavered in his belief in the strength and resilience of the people he served.”
In a Facebook post, CNMI Del. Kimberlyn King-Hinds said she was shocked and heartbroken by the news.
“My emotions are too raw to fully express what a loss this is for our Commonwealth,” she wrote. “What I do know is that Governor Palacios was a good man. He was our Governor and served the people of the Marianas with honor. But more than that, he was a husband, a father, and a grandfather who loved his family deeply. My heart is with First Lady Wella and their family in this incredibly difficult moment.”
Palacios was conducting a wedding ceremony at the Governor’s Office when he suddenly collapsed. On Wednesday afternoon, Apatang told the media that he did not see Palacios collapse but saw him transported by an ambulance to the hospital.
At 4 p.m., CNMI Governor’s Office issued a statement saying Palacios was “in stable condition, in good spirits, and is interacting normally with his medical team and family.”
After an initial assessment, the medical team at the Commonwealth Healthcare Center Corp. recommended that the governor be medically transported to Guam for additional specialized care.
Palacios, the 10th governor of the CNMI, served as governor since January 2023.
He previously served as the lieutenant governor under Gov. Ralph DLG. Torres from January 2019 to January 2023.
As lieutenant governor, he oversaw the Office of Planning and Development, the Office of Grants Management, and the CNMI’s permitting agencies, according to the biography posted on the governor’s website.
His lengthy public service career included positions as Senate president, Senate vie president and four terms in the House of Representatives, including two years as speaker.
He served as secretary of Lands and Natural Resources from February 2012 to January 2015.
Palacios was born on Saipan on Aug. 22, 1955, and attended Mount Carmel School. He later attended Portland State University in Oregon and earned his bachelor of science degree in Business Administration/Management.
Details regarding memorial services and public tributes will be announced in the coming days, Apatang said.
