Roseau, Dominica — Prime Minister Pierre Charles of the Caribbean island of Dominica, who had been on a leave of absence due to heart problems, collapsed and died Tuesday, his press secretary said. He was 49.
Trade and Foreign Affairs Minister Osborne Riviere has been serving as acting prime minister.
Mr. Charles was pronounced dead at the Caribbean island's Princess Margaret Hospital, but the cause of death wasn't immediately released.
In late November, Mr. Charles' doctor recommended a the leader was to take a leave of absence because he needed to rest, press secretary Sean Douglas said.
In February, Mr. Charles had angioplasty surgery on his heart after complaining of chest pains. The surgery was repeated in August, officials said. He also reportedly suffered from thrombosis.
Dominica, a former British colony of about 70,000 people, is one of the poorest of the Caribbean's island countries.
