Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that Washington is in "close contact" with the governments of Jamaica, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and the Bahamas to coordinate relief efforts in the aftermath of the devastating Hurricane Melissa. Notably absent from these discussions is Cuba.
The lawmaker confirmed that rescue teams and essential supplies are being dispatched to the affected regions, while also sharing his "prayers" for the people of the Caribbean.
Rubio shared his message on X, listing the four countries with which he said the United States is collaborating to address the crisis. His post comes amidst a period of intense cyclonic activity in the region, emphasizing cooperation with neighboring nations heavily impacted by Melissa, while deliberately omitting any reference to Cuba.
Meanwhile, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported at 2:00 pm that Hurricane Melissa was sustaining maximum winds of 100 mph (155 km/h), moving northeast at 15 mph (24 km/h), with an estimated central pressure of 974 mb.
The advisory maintained hurricane warnings for the southeast and central Bahamas and Cuban provinces including Granma, Santiago de Cuba, Guantánamo, Holguín, and Las Tunas. Additionally, there were tropical storm warnings for Haiti, Camagüey in Cuba, and the Turks and Caicos Islands.
The NHC highlighted that hurricane-force winds extended up to 40 miles (65 km) from the center, with tropical storm-force winds reaching up to 185 miles (295 km).
It also warned of potentially life-threatening rainfall: for eastern Cuba, total accumulations of 10 to 20 inches, with peaks of 25 inches in mountainous areas; for the Bahamas, 5 to 10 inches, with flash flood risks; and for Haiti and the Dominican Republic, significant additional rainfalls with landslide threats.
Moreover, a storm surge of 4 to 7 feet was anticipated in the southeast Bahamas, with minor coastal flooding possible along the northern coast of eastern Cuba and in Haiti.
Against this backdrop, Rubio's message aligns with the critical response phase to a storm that continues to generate hazardous waves and rip currents across much of the Caribbean.
So far, Cuban authorities have not indicated any requests for assistance from the U.S. government, despite severe devastation in eastern Cuba.
In 2022, Cuba sought emergency aid from the Biden administration to cope with the catastrophic damage caused by Hurricane Ian. Previously, they requested technical assistance from Washington following the devastating fire at the Matanzas Super Tanker Base.
Historically, whenever Cuba has been struck by hurricanes, the United States has extended offers of humanitarian aid, which Cuba has often declined.
Frequently Asked Questions about U.S. Aid After Hurricane Melissa
Why was Cuba excluded from U.S. aid discussions after Hurricane Melissa?
Cuba was not included in the U.S. aid discussions following Hurricane Melissa, possibly due to strained political relations between the two countries. The U.S. is focusing its efforts on Jamaica, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and the Bahamas.
What are the current conditions of Hurricane Melissa?
As of the last report, Hurricane Melissa was sustaining maximum winds of 100 mph, moving northeast at 15 mph, with a central pressure of 974 mb, posing significant threats to affected areas.
How has the U.S. historically responded to Cuba during hurricanes?
The United States has historically offered humanitarian aid to Cuba during hurricane disasters, but these offers have frequently been declined by Cuban authorities.