Following the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa, which struck Cuba as a Category 3 storm, Antiguan students in the country have been confirmed safe by Cuban Ambassador Sergio Jorge Pastrana. The majority of these students are located in western Cuba, which remained largely unaffected by the hurricane. Six students based in Santiago de Cuba are reported to be in good health and are actively assisting medical teams in relief operations. Melissa initially made landfall in Jamaica as a Category 5 hurricane with winds reaching 185 mph, causing significant destruction and claiming at least 28 lives across Haiti and Jamaica, with many still unaccounted for. In preparation for the storm, Cuba evacuated over 735,000 residents and has since initiated recovery efforts, including power restoration and the distribution of essential supplies like food and medicine. Communication lines remained operational throughout the hurricane, facilitating coordination and enabling families to stay in touch. Ambassador Pastrana described Melissa as the most severe storm of the 2025 hurricane season and encouraged Antiguans interested in supporting relief efforts to reach out to the Cuban Embassy for further instructions.
Antiguan Students in Cuba Safe After Hurricane Melissa, Ambassador Confirms
