Ricardo Alarcon de Quesada dies

Renowned Cuban politician and diplomat Ricardo Alarcon de Quesada has died,  officials confirmed on Sunday.

"All our tribute to the beloved Ricardo Alarcón in his loyalty to the Revolution, to the Party, to foreign policy, and the glorious tradition of the Foreign Ministry," tweeted the island's chief diplomat, Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla.
 "For Ricardo Alarcón de Quesada, the Master of the diplomats of our generation, we will always have deep respect, admiration, and infinite affection. Thank you for the privilege and honor of being his disciples," deputy Foreign Minister Josefina Vidal tweeted.

Alarcon was 84 years old.

"The history of Cuban revolutionary diplomacy cannot be written without counting among its most precious pages the brilliant and innovative performance of Ricardo Alarcón de Quesada," wrote the Cuban Embassy in Romania on social networks.

Alarcón served as foreign minister from 1992 to 1993; was Cuba's ambassador to the UN; and for 20 years presided over Cuba's National Assembly of People's Power, the island's Parliament.