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The comedian Ulises Toirac has once again shaken social media with a deeply concerning and sorrowful reflection on the passage of Hurricane Melissa through eastern Cuba, a phenomenon that has caused catastrophic flooding, landslides, and isolated communities in several provinces.
On his Facebook account, Ulises—known for his critical tone and clear perspective on Cuban reality—expressed his dismay at the magnitude of the natural disaster and the country's vulnerability to such a powerful event.
"Cuba neither has the medium solidity of constructions nor the mechanisms of Jamaica. A significant portion of the population suffers from some arboviral diseases, endures a secular regime of intense blackouts, and experiences limited access to information via the Internet," he wrote.
The comedian recalled that Jamaica, battered days earlier by the same hurricane, was declared a disaster zone by its prime minister, and emphasized that that country, with better infrastructure and resources, will need months to recover.
I have no way to express the concern and sadness I feel. And it will be a national tragedy added to all those we have already suffered. It will take us years. Unfortunately," he added.
Toirac concluded his publication by calling for solidarity both inside and outside Cuba in the face of the disaster.
The post has quickly gone viral, garnering dozens of reactions and comments from Cubans who share the same feelings of helplessness and fear.
I cannot imagine the terror and helplessness, the comedian wrote in one of the most emotional passages of his text.
A country battered by Melissa
Meanwhile, eastern Cuba is experiencing one of its worst days in years. Hurricane Melissa, which made landfall early Wednesday as a category 3 storm, has left behind severe flooding, destructive winds, and widespread structural damage.
Videos shared on social media show houses partially submerged, displaced people, and currents sweeping away trees and animals.
According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), at 5:00 AM, the eye of the hurricane was located over Holguín, with sustained winds of 185 km/h and higher gusts, moving slowly to the northeast.
Intense rainfall has also caused landslides and mudslides in El Cobre, Santiago de Cuba, where 17 people, including children and the elderly, were trapped after a hillside collapsed in the Loma del Cimarrón.
"It has rained like never before," declared Beatriz Johnson Urrutia, the first secretary of the Communist Party in the province, as rescue teams attempted to reach the flooded area.
One of those trapped, Dr. Lionnis Franco, managed to communicate that everyone is safe, although the situation is critical. "We are sheltered and trying to stay calm. The river is still very high; it’s impressive," he reported.
An ongoing tragedy
The tropical storm wind field of Melissa extends nearly 300 kilometers from its center, which expands the impact area to the entire eastern part of the country.
The authorities warn that, although the cyclone will leave the area in the coming hours, the rains will continue and could cause new flooding.
Ulises Toirac, in his message, encapsulated the feelings of many Cubans regarding this new crisis: "All that remains is to advocate for solidarity. Both among ourselves and from the countries that have the ability to do so."
Her reflection resonates at a time when Cuba is facing not only a natural disaster but also the burden of years of structural and social precariousness.
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