Sandro Castro expressed a message of solidarity on his social media towards the eastern provinces affected by hurricane Melissa, which is hitting the eastern part of the country with destructive winds and severe flooding.
In an Instagram story, she posted the phrase "Strength Cuba. I hate Melissa" alongside a video in which she expressed her concern about the damage caused by the weather phenomenon and sent a message of encouragement: “Just look at how dangerous this Melissa is that has even left us without power, but I didn't know it was going to become so destructive. I just want to send a strong message of support and solidarity with the eastern provinces, and also with the country of Jamaica. Count on me for whatever is necessary. So now I'm going to have some tequilas with Rubierón because I need him to keep us informed 24 hours a day.”
The grandson of Fidel Castro has made several controversial appearances on social media in recent weeks. Days ago, he mocked Miguel Díaz-Canel and the economic crisis with a video in which he claimed that “the base of everything cannot be missing: some little lemons,” parodying the phrase “lemonade is the basis of everything.”
He also blamed the independent media El Toque for the increase in the dollar in the informal market and suggested creating a “business association” to tackle inflation. Additionally, he stirred controversy by liking a post that portrays his grandfather Fidel Castro as “lazy and dependent”, an action interpreted as a symbolic distancing from the family legacy.
On this occasion, while maintaining his usual tone, Sandro conveyed solidarity and empathy towards the individuals affected by the hurricane in Cuba and Jamaica.
Hurricane Melissa leaves destruction and flooding in eastern Cuba
The hurricane Melissa made landfall in Cuba during the early hours of this Wednesday as a powerful category 3 cyclone, with maximum sustained winds of 195 kilometers per hour and a minimum central pressure of 952 millibars, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC) of the United States.
The phenomenon affected the municipality of Guamá, in Santiago de Cuba, specifically at El Francés beach, near the town of Chivirico. Its passage has caused heavy rains, flooding, power outages, and severe damage to infrastructure, according to reports from the Civil Defense and local testimonies. More information about its entry into the country can be found in this report on the impact of Melissa in Cuba.
The provinces of Granma, Santiago de Cuba, Guantánamo, Holguín, and Las Tunas continue to be affected by the cyclone, with reports of landslides, fallen trees, power outages, and mudslides. The Civil Defense has maintained the cyclone alarm phase and urges the population to stay in shelters and safe areas.
Hurricane-force winds extend up to 45 kilometers from the center of the system, while tropical storm winds reach a radius of up to 315 kilometers, generating storm surges of between eight and twelve feet above sea level along the southeastern coast. Hurricane Melissa is advancing forcefully over Cuban territory, leaving behind flooding, landslides, and isolated communities.
Among the most affected areas is Santiago de Cuba, where witnesses report "strong winds, heavy rain, flooding, and collapsed houses," as well as partial landslides and widespread power outages. In Holguín and Las Tunas, the intense rain and violent gusts have caused blackouts and material damage. Granma and Guantánamo are also experiencing impacts, though with a gradual improvement in weather conditions.
Before its impact in Cuba, Melissa caused severe flooding and landslides in Jamaica, leaving a trail of destruction and material losses. The system is expected to continue its trajectory to the northeast, with possible effects on the Bahamas and Bermuda in the coming hours.
Filed under:
