"What failed state would do everything we do?" Díaz-Canel defends himself as Hurricane Melissa approaches Cuba

The Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel defended himself against the criticisms regarding the crisis the island is experiencing and the fear of an unprecedented catastrophe due to the imminent approach of Hurricane Melissa in the eastern part of the island.

“What failed state could organize and accomplish everything we are doing in such a challenging time as this?” asserted the leader in response to “the discrediting campaigns on social media that try to portray the country as a failed state,” according to a thread on X from the Presidency of Cuba.

During the extended meeting of the Defense Council this Monday, the leader reiterated slogans such as "The Revolution leaves no one behind" and emphasized that resources cannot be spared to protect individuals.

"We must work with responsibility, effectiveness, and commitment," he said.

However, his words contrast with the reality of a country where on Sunday the evacuation of more than 650,000 people began in the east, in a context of only a few hours of electricity, shortages of food and medicine, and outbreaks of arbovirus diseases.

A potentially catastrophic hurricane

The hurricane Melissa has intensified its strength, , according to the most recent bulletin from the National Hurricane Center (NHC), issued at 11:00 a.m. (Eastern Time) on this Monday.

This new figure -10 km/h higher than the previous report- confirms its status as a Category 5 hurricane, the highest level on the Saffir-Simpson scale, and presents a scenario of extremely high risk for Cuba, as well as for Jamaica, which will be its first stop in the Caribbean.

“Melissa is a Category 5 hurricane […] It is expected to reach the southeast of Cuba as a very powerful hurricane,” warned the NHC.

The storm, currently located about 530 km southwest of Guantánamo, is moving slowly to the west at only 6 km/h, but a turn to the north is expected tonight, which could take its core directly over Jamaica and subsequently to eastern Cuba on Tuesday night.

Cuba: Active Warnings and Potential for Severe Impact

The bulletin includes a hurricane warning for the Cuban provinces of Granma, Santiago de Cuba, Guantánamo, and Holguín, indicating that hurricane conditions are expected in those areas within the next 36 hours.

Additionally, Las Tunas is under tropical storm warning, and other regions such as the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands are on alert.

"Tropical storm conditions are expected to begin in eastern Cuba on Tuesday. Hurricane conditions are anticipated to start in the hurricane watch area by Tuesday night."

Cuban authorities have been urged to expedite preparations to protect life and property, especially in coastal and mountainous areas, where the impact of the winds could be amplified.