An image captured in Santiago de Cuba during the onslaught of Hurricane Melissa has become a global sensation: it depicts a man chest-deep in floodwaters, clutching an old television set as he struggles against the rushing current.
His action, seen as a mix of defiance and desperation, has turned into a poignant human symbol of the tragedy unfolding in eastern Cuba.
The photograph was taken by Yamil Lage, a photographer for the AFP news agency, and is part of a series documenting the havoc wrought by the formidable Hurricane Melissa, which struck Santiago de Cuba on Wednesday, October 29, 2025.
Additional images from the same scene, released by AP and captured by Ramón Espinosa, show two men, including the one with the TV, navigating the murky waters wearing uniforms that appear to belong to the Ministry of the Interior (MININT). This has sparked discussions about whether they are rescuers or local residents.
However, the agency confirms that the man resided in the flooded home and was attempting to salvage his belongings and his dog. In one photo, they are seen dragging out a mattress and various items, while another depicts them rescuing a dog and a fan atop a metal sheet.
The Struggles of Everyday Life in Cuba
The scene highlights the harsh realities of life in Cuba. Facundo, an actor famous for his role in the Cuban television show "Vivir del Cuento," was moved by the image and posted on social media: “If anyone knows him, please give him my phone number 239-470-8181,” hoping to reach out to the photo’s subject to offer assistance.
Widely shared, the image has sparked a flood of comments online, with many Cubans relating to the apparent desperation of the man who seems to be trying to save his few possessions or is engaged in a rescue mission.
“It’s heartbreaking. They've lost their belongings, and in Cuba, it’s incredibly difficult to replace anything due to the exorbitant prices,” a Facebook user lamented.
Another added, “Preserving life is paramount, but it’s painful to watch people lose their material goods. Some might never be able to replace them, as acquiring a television or refrigerator in Cuba is extremely challenging.”
A Symbol of Eastern Cuba's Devastation
The photograph was taken in the municipality of Santiago de Cuba, one of the hardest-hit areas by Hurricane Melissa. The San Juan River overflowed, submerging entire neighborhoods and leaving hundreds of families with destroyed homes and without electricity.
Official reports indicate that over 735,000 individuals were evacuated across the eastern region.
Hurricane Melissa made landfall in eastern Cuba in the early hours of Wednesday, after battering Jamaica as a Category 5 cyclone with winds reaching 295 km/h.
The devastation in Cuba was severe: roofs torn off, homes collapsed, roads blocked, and entire communities submerged.
Images circulated by international agencies such as AP, AFP, and Reuters vividly illustrate the scale of the catastrophe and the precarious conditions Cubans face in the recovery process.
Insights into Hurricane Melissa's Impact
How did Hurricane Melissa affect Santiago de Cuba?
Hurricane Melissa caused widespread devastation in Santiago de Cuba, with the San Juan River overflowing and flooding entire neighborhoods, leaving many families without homes and electricity.
Who captured the viral photograph of the man with the television?
The viral photograph was taken by Yamil Lage for the AFP news agency, capturing a man in Santiago de Cuba trying to save his belongings during Hurricane Melissa.
What sparked the debate about the men in the viral photograph?
The debate arose because the men in the photograph wore uniforms resembling those of the Ministry of the Interior, leading to questions about whether they were rescuers or local residents.