Barbados prime minister David Thompson died Saturday at age 48 of pancreatic cancer, the state-run Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) reported.
Deputy Prime Minister Freundel Stewart was sworn in as Thompson's successor hours after his death, dpa reported.
In Washington, US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said: "Barbados has lost a leader and the nations of the Americas have lost a friend and valued partner. Prime Minister Thompson was a champion for democracy and justice in the Caribbean and an advocate for wider prosperity and opportunity throughout the region."
Thompson became the island's sixth premier in 2008 after leading his Democratic Labour Party to victory.
The third of six children, Thompson was born in London on December 25, 1961. He is survived by his wife and three daughters.