Governor Arnold Palacios of the Northern Mariana Islands died on July 23 at age 69 after suffering a sudden “medical incident,” just months after announcing a decisive shift away from Chinese influence in favor of stronger ties with the United States. Palacios collapsed in his Saipan office and was airlifted to Guam, where he died hours later.
The unexpected death occurred as Palacios was pursuing a new geopolitical course for the U.S. territory. He had pushed to scale back Chinese tourism and investment, citing security concerns tied to the Chinese Communist Party. Palacios had also called for deeper economic and military cooperation with the U.S., similar to neighboring Guam.
Palacios had been critical of the Biden administration for pressuring the CNMI to abandon its unique visa-waiver program for Chinese nationals without providing economic alternatives. In public statements throughout 2024, he warned against “malicious influence” from Beijing and advocated for partnerships with regional allies such as Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan.
His effort to diversify the CNMI’s economy beyond Chinese tourism and casinos faced local opposition, as many feared the loss of revenue would not be replaced. In May, the governor said the region’s “lonely” status made it vulnerable and urged U.S. investment to stabilize the islands.
Palacios was elected governor in 2022 and served previously as lieutenant governor. He warned that Chinese-linked businesses posed security and labor violations and criticized the suspension of Hong Kong flights following visa delays. He made a direct appeal to the Trump administration earlier this year for help diversifying CNMI’s economy and enhancing U.S. military cooperation.
His sudden death casts uncertainty over the future direction of the territory. Lt. Gov. David Apatang, who has now assumed the governorship, will face immediate pressure to determine whether the CNMI will continue Palacios’ pivot toward U.S. alliances—or fall back into China’s economic orbit.
Palacios’ funeral is scheduled for August 2, with U.S. government officials expected to attend.
