Governor of Northern Mariana Islands Passes Away in Guam

Arnold Palacios was a ’true patriot who courageously stood against Chinese coercion,' the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party said.

Adm. Samuel J. Paparo, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (L), with Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands Gov. Arnold Palacios (R) at USINDOPACOM headquarters on Camp H.M. Smith in Honolulu, on Feb. 26, 2025. Petty Officer 1st Class John Bellino/U.S. Indo-Pacific Command/DVIDS

Northern Mariana Islands Gov. Arnold Indalecio Palacios died in Guam last week at age 69 after collapsing in his Capitol Hill office in Saipan and being transferred to the neighboring island for specialized care.

After collapsing on July 23, Palacios was taken to Saipan’s Commonwealth Health Center, where doctors recommended he be transported to Guam, 120 miles to the south, for specialized care at Guam Regional Medical City. His office said he died in Guam at about 10:37 p.m. local time that day.