By Charles McKelvey on October 31, 2025
Hurricane Melissa over Cuban territory. Photo: INSMET (Cuban Institute of Meteorology)
There are some who say that the Cuban “regime” is on the verge of collapse. The problem is somebody forgot to tell the folks who work for the ministries of the Cuban national and provincial governments that they pertain to a state that is no longer functioning. Not being aware of this, in response to the crossing of the island by Hurricane Melissa, they proceeded with the same energy and commitment that has defined them for decades.
Hurricanes always bring out the best in Cuba. They provoke a display of urgency, determination, and solidarity. It is a wonder to behold, reported in detail and with pride by the national media. A hurricane becomes an event in which everyone participates, at one level or another. In the case of Melissa, the western and central provinces were not affected, but from them went workers, volunteers, and donations to the eastern provinces to lend a hand.
Hurricane Melissa evolved very rapidly, and in a few hours prior to its arrival on the island, it became a hurricane of great intensity. It arrived on the Cuban coast at 3:05 am on October 29, taking six hours to pass across the eastern provinces moving from the south to the north. It battered the eastern provinces with intense rains and devastating winds, causing flooding, moderate damage to housing and hotels, and possibly serious damage to agriculture. It overturned trees and knocked down electricity cables. Thanks to the organized relocation of people and the dissemination of clear information and instructions, there was no loss of human life.
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel, acting in his position as President of the Council of National Defense, began working in the days before the arrival of the hurricane in the coordination of measures for the protection of the population, buildings, and agricultural production. On the afternoon of October 29, at 5:30 pm, the Cuban President conducted a meeting of evaluation from the Palace of the Revolution in Havana, in which authorities from all the affected regions participated via video conference. The meeting of two and one-half hours was covered live on Cuban television. The presidents of the provincial councils of defense and governors of the affected provinces gave reports on the damage and plans for recovery, although the phase of recuperation had not yet been initiated in all the provinces, due to considerations of safety. The recuperation gives priority to the most impacted areas, with attention to the providing of food and the re-establishment of basic services.
In addition, Tania Margarita Cruz Hernández, First Vice-Minister of Public Health, reported on the organization of medical brigades from the western and central provinces, which are ready to depart for the affected areas. A primary concern will be the prevention of the breakout of diseases.
Vicente de la O Levy, Minister of Energy and Mines, reported that 2,500 electrical workers from all over the country have been mobilized toward the eastern provinces to support the work of the recuperation of energy. Rodolfo Rodríguez Expósito, First Prime Minister of Agriculture, discussed the initiation of the analysis of the flooded agricultural areas, with attention to the feeding of animals. Brigades have been organized for the repair of farm machines as well as for the repair of roofs and infrastructure for the care and feeding of animals.
The People begin the task of recuperation. foto Yinelkys Liera Cespedes
Dr. Naima Trujillo Barreto, Minister of Education, reported that communication has been maintained with the teachers in the area. The reopening of schools will occur in different times, in accordance with local assessment of conditions. Coronel Luis Ángel Macareño of the national Civil Defense corps spoke of the organization of the process of recuperation and of the distribution of donations that will be arriving from the western and central provinces.
President Díaz-Canel congratulated the Cuban people for demonstrating organization, discipline, and solidarity, with the highest priority to unity and to the defense of human life. He recited the names of numerous comrades of the ministries of the national government who have gone to the affected areas of the eastern provinces working in collaboration with the Council of National Defense. He reiterated the priorities of the moment: to reestablish services of energy, communications, and water; to facilitate the orderly return of the evacuated to their places of residence; to ensure the production and distribution of food; to restore services of health and education; to save what can be saved from the sugar and coffee crops; and to begin to repair damaged infrastructure, especially in housing. He added that the road of recuperation is difficult, but the comrades in the affected provinces will be able to count on the full support of the leadership of the nation.