Facing mounting criticism over the island's dire crisis, Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel defended his administration amid fears of unprecedented disaster due to the impending approach of Hurricane Melissa in the eastern region of Cuba.
“What failed state could organize and execute everything we're doing in such challenging times?” stated Díaz-Canel, addressing “the discrediting campaigns on social media attempting to portray our nation as a failed state,” according to a statement from the Cuban Presidency on X.
During Monday's expanded Defense Council meeting, Díaz-Canel reiterated slogans such as “The Revolution leaves no one behind” and emphasized that no resources should be spared in safeguarding the people.
“We must work with responsibility, effectiveness, and commitment,” he declared.
However, his statements starkly contrast with the reality on the ground, as the country began evacuating over 650,000 people from the eastern region amid limited electricity, food and medicine shortages, and arboviral epidemics.
A Potentially Catastrophic Hurricane
Hurricane Melissa has intensified, with maximum sustained winds reaching 167 mph, as reported by the latest bulletin from the National Hurricane Center (NHC) issued at 11:00 a.m. (Eastern time) on Monday.
This new figure, 6 mph higher than the previous report, confirms its status as a Category 5 hurricane, the highest on the Saffir-Simpson scale, posing an extremely high-risk scenario for both Cuba and Jamaica, its first stop in the Caribbean.
“Melissa is a Category 5 hurricane [...] It is expected to reach southeastern Cuba as a very powerful hurricane,” the NHC warned.
Currently located approximately 330 miles southwest of Guantánamo, the storm is moving slowly westward at just 4 mph, but a predicted northward turn tonight could bring its core directly over Jamaica and later eastern Cuba by Tuesday night.
Cuba: Active Warnings and Potential Severe Impact
The bulletin includes a hurricane warning for the Cuban provinces of Granma, Santiago de Cuba, Guantánamo, and Holguín, indicating expected hurricane conditions in these areas within the next 36 hours.
Additionally, Las Tunas is under a tropical storm warning, and other regions like the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands are on alert.
“Tropical storm conditions are expected to begin in eastern Cuba by Tuesday. Hurricane conditions are anticipated in the hurricane warning area by Tuesday night.”
Cuban authorities have been urged to hasten preparations to protect lives and property, especially in coastal and mountainous regions where the impact of the winds could be exacerbated.
Understanding Hurricane Melissa's Threat to Cuba
What measures is Cuba taking in response to Hurricane Melissa?
Cuba is evacuating over 650,000 people from the eastern region and has issued hurricane warnings for several provinces. Authorities are accelerating preparations to protect vulnerable areas, especially along the coast and mountainous regions.
How strong is Hurricane Melissa?
Hurricane Melissa is a Category 5 hurricane, with maximum sustained winds reaching 167 mph, making it a potentially catastrophic storm as it approaches the Caribbean.
What areas are currently under hurricane warning in Cuba?
The Cuban provinces of Granma, Santiago de Cuba, Guantánamo, and Holguín are under hurricane warnings, indicating they are expected to experience hurricane conditions soon.