The Central America Travel Market 2025, hosted in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, has become a focal point for regional tourism collaboration. The event’s second day featured dynamic business-to-business meetings and networking sessions, but the highlight was the unexpected visit of Honduras’ President, Xiomara Castro. Her presence not only highlighted national pride in hosting the event but also reinforced Honduras’ dedication to fostering tourism growth both domestically and across Central America. President Castro toured the exhibition floor, engaging with private sector representatives and regional stakeholders, including Belize’s Pro Tempore of FEDECATUR, Efren Perez. Vice Minister of Tourism Reizel Vilorio emphasized that the President’s participation symbolized unity and collective effort, showcasing Central America’s potential as a premier global travel destination. Vilorio noted that Castro’s visit underscored the government’s support for the private sector and its commitment to developing tourism products that benefit the entire region. The President expressed her admiration for the event’s scale and the collaborative spirit among participants, further solidifying the region’s reputation as a hub for innovative tourism initiatives.
分类： world
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Tropical Storm Melissa leaves over a million without water in the Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is grappling with the devastating aftermath of Tropical Storm Melissa, which has wreaked havoc across the nation. The Emergency Operations Center (COE) revealed that the storm has damaged 183 homes, displaced 915 individuals, and forced 61 people into emergency shelters. Additionally, 19 communities have been cut off due to the storm’s impact, while critical infrastructure has suffered significant damage. Over 1.1 million residents are currently without access to clean drinking water, exacerbating the crisis. The National Institute of Drinking Water and Sewerage (INAPA) reported that 56 aqueducts were severely affected, with 53 completely non-operational and three partially functioning. This disruption has impacted more than 610,000 users. Furthermore, the CAASD suspended operations at the Isa Mana and Duey systems due to water turbidity, leaving an additional 405,000 residents in Santo Domingo Oeste, Pedro Brand, Los Alcarrizos, and parts of the National District without water. The Ministry of Public Works (MOPC) has mobilized emergency teams to clear debris, remove fallen trees, and reopen blocked roads. Landslides have disrupted key routes, including the Cabrera–Loma Alta highway in María Trinidad Sánchez and the El Manaclar road in Peravia. Cleanup efforts are ongoing in Barahona, Pedernales, San Juan, Monte Plata, and Duarte. In Greater Santo Domingo, the overflow of Bonavides Creek caused severe flooding and landslides, damaging numerous homes. Neighborhoods such as Arroyo Hondo, Villas Agrícolas, Capotillo, and Herrera witnessed evacuations and structural damage. Similar conditions were reported in San Cristóbal, Barahona, and San José de Ocoa, where rising rivers have isolated several communities.
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Jamaica declares state of emergency ahead of Tropical Storm Melissa
The Jamaican government has initiated a nationwide state of emergency in hospitals and ordered the closure of schools as Tropical Storm Melissa approaches the Caribbean region. The U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) warns that the storm could intensify into a hurricane over the weekend, posing significant risks to Jamaica, Haiti, and eastern Cuba. Health Minister Christopher Tufton announced the suspension of elective surgeries and non-urgent hospital admissions to prioritize resources for potential storm-related emergencies. Families of stable patients have been urged to temporarily relocate them, while 702 healthcare professionals have been mobilized across the country to bolster emergency response efforts. The national emergency center has been fully activated in coordination with regional health authorities. Simultaneously, the Ministry of Education has suspended all in-person classes in public and private institutions to ensure the safety of students and staff. According to the NHC, Melissa is currently located 345 km southeast of Kingston and 440 km southwest of Port-au-Prince, with sustained winds of 85 km/h and moving northwest at 7 km/h. The storm is expected to bring torrential rains, powerful winds, and hazardous coastal surges. In the Dominican Republic, over 647,000 people are without drinking water due to rainfall disrupting supply systems, while Haiti remains on high alert for flooding and landslides in vulnerable areas.
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Venezuela’s continued economic hardship outweighs geopolitical tensions
For millions of Venezuelans, the pressing challenges of daily life overshadow the geopolitical tensions ignited by the deployment of US warships to the southern Caribbean in August. While the US government asserts that its mission is aimed at combating drug trafficking, Venezuelan authorities suspect it may be an attempt to destabilize President Nicolás Maduro’s regime. However, for citizens like Samuel Carreño, the immediate concern is the country’s collapsing economy rather than international disputes. Carreño, a 49-year-old informal worker from Petare, has faced a personal crisis that has disrupted his life. Since his 75-year-old mother, Tita Carreño, suffered a fractured femur in August, he has been unable to work, dedicating his time to her care. As an informal laborer living paycheck to paycheck, a medical emergency poses an insurmountable financial burden. ‘The hospital demanded $3,000 for the surgery,’ Carreño explained, a sum his family struggled to gather even after negotiating a reduced fee. Carreño’s daily struggles underscore the nation’s crumbling infrastructure. He must heat water on a gas stove for his bedridden mother because their home, shared by five people, lacks a water heater. Additionally, running water is rationed, available only three days a week, forcing him to store dozens of buckets to meet their needs. This personal hardship is set against a backdrop of severe economic instability. In the two months following the US warship deployment, the Venezuelan bolivar lost 50% of its value against the US dollar, according to the Central Bank. For many Venezuelans, the fear of political persecution and perpetual economic decline outweighs concerns about external conflict. As the aunt of a political detainee, held without charges since September 2023, remarked when asked if she feared a military overthrow: ‘Afraid of what? Wars eventually end, but my fear is being trapped here forever, abandoned by our allies in this struggle.’
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FLASH : Melissa promises to be devastating in Haiti
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has issued a critical update on Tropical Storm Melissa, warning of severe and prolonged weather conditions in Haiti. As of 5:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time on October 24, 2025, the storm’s center was located approximately 445 km southwest of Port-au-Prince, with coordinates at 16.0 degrees north latitude and 75.5 degrees west longitude. Melissa is nearly stationary but is expected to drift northeast and northward later in the day, followed by a westward trajectory from Saturday through Monday. The storm is forecasted to bring heavy rainfall of 20 to 35 cm across southern Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and Jamaica, with potential for life-threatening flash floods and landslides. Southern Haiti is particularly at risk, with significant damage to infrastructure and prolonged isolation of communities anticipated. Maximum sustained winds are currently near 75 km/h, with higher gusts, and the storm is expected to strengthen into a hurricane by the weekend. The Maritime and Navigation Service of Haiti (SEMANAH) has suspended all coastal activities in the southern region due to dangerous swells. A Hurricane Watch is in effect for Haiti’s southwest peninsula, and multiple departments have been placed on orange alert. Authorities are urging residents to take immediate precautions, including avoiding watercourses, securing important documents, and staying informed through reliable sources.
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First Mosquitoes Ever Found in Iceland
Iceland, once celebrated as one of the world’s last mosquito-free regions, has officially lost this distinction. For the first time, mosquitoes have been discovered in the country, a development attributed to an unusually warm spring. The discovery was made by nature enthusiast Bjorn Hjaltason, who spotted the insects while observing moths in a glacial valley southwest of Reykjavik. Hjaltason immediately recognized the unfamiliar creatures and shared his findings on Facebook, prompting further investigation. Scientists later identified the insects as Culiseta annulata, a mosquito species commonly found in Europe and North Africa, known for its ability to endure cold winters. Historically, Iceland’s chilly climate and scarcity of standing water had made it inhospitable to mosquitoes, placing it alongside Antarctica as one of the only mosquito-free zones globally. However, this year’s record-breaking temperatures have disrupted this equilibrium. In May, Iceland experienced ten consecutive days with temperatures exceeding 20°C (68°F), culminating in a new national record high of 26.6°C (79.8°F). Experts warn that such extreme weather events, driven by climate change, are becoming more frequent, posing a significant threat to the fragile Arctic ecosystems. This discovery underscores the far-reaching impacts of global warming, even in regions once considered immune to such changes.
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Tropical Storm Melissa Poised to Become Major Category 4 Hurricane
Tropical Storm Melissa, currently traversing the Caribbean Sea, is projected to intensify into a major Category 4 hurricane by Monday, October 27, 2025. As of Wednesday, October 23, the storm was positioned 300 miles southeast of Kingston, Jamaica, with sustained winds of 50 mph and a sluggish movement speed of just 2 mph. The storm’s slow progression is already causing heavy rainfall, with up to a foot expected in southern Haiti and the Dominican Republic, raising concerns of catastrophic flash floods and landslides in the region’s mountainous areas. Meteorologists attribute Melissa’s rapid intensification to unusually warm ocean waters, predicting it will reach hurricane strength by Saturday. If it does, Melissa will mark the fifth hurricane of the 2025 Atlantic season and the first to originate within the Caribbean. Two potential trajectories are being monitored: one where the storm strengthens south of Jamaica and another where it veers north toward Haiti or Jamaica. Both scenarios pose significant risks, including severe flooding, destructive winds, and widespread power outages. Currently, a hurricane watch is in effect for parts of Haiti, while Jamaica remains under a tropical storm watch. Authorities are urging residents in affected areas to prepare for potentially life-threatening conditions.
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#EyeOnMelissa: Tropical storm warning and hurricane watch remain as Melissa stands still
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Tropical Storm Melissa, currently stationary over the Caribbean Sea, continues to pose a significant threat to Jamaica, with tropical storm warnings and hurricane watches remaining in effect. The Meteorological Service of Jamaica (Met Service) reported that as of 4:00 am, the storm’s center was positioned at latitude 16.0 degrees north and longitude 75.5 degrees west, approximately 445 kilometers southwest of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and 224 kilometers south-southeast of Morant Point, Jamaica. A slow northeastward drift is anticipated later Friday, with a westward shift expected by Saturday, bringing the storm dangerously close to Jamaica by early next week. Maximum sustained winds are currently near 75 km/h (45 mph), with higher gusts, and further intensification is forecast, potentially elevating Melissa to hurricane status by Saturday and a major hurricane (category three or higher) by Sunday. Tropical storm-force winds extend up to 220 kilometers (140 miles) east of the center. The Met Service warns of significant rainfall, with eastern parishes expected to receive 200-350 millimeters (8-14 inches) through the weekend, leading to widespread flooding and landslides. This heavy rainfall is predicted to spread westward across the country next week. Jamaicans are advised to prepare for strong, gusty winds initially affecting eastern parishes later today and continuing island-wide into the weekend. Hurricane-force winds may occur as early as Saturday. Marine conditions are also expected to deteriorate rapidly on Friday, prompting small craft operators and fishers to remain in safe harbor until conditions improve.
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Resilient Beryl victims share hope ahead of Tropical Storm Melissa
As Tropical Storm Melissa threatens to escalate into a major hurricane, Jamaica braces for potential devastation, drawing on the resilience forged in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl. Last July, Beryl wreaked havoc across the island, causing over $56 billion in damages to agriculture, housing, and tourism. Despite the destruction, communities along the south coast are rebuilding with determination, embodying the indomitable spirit of the Jamaican people.
One poignant example of this resilience is the Lee family of Treasure Beach, St. Elizabeth. Their home and church were severely damaged during Beryl, with the roof torn away as they sought shelter under their bed. A viral video captured the family singing ‘Goodness of God’ amidst the chaos, a testament to their faith and fortitude. Nearly a year later, the Lees are still working to restore their home and church, relying on community support and donations. Pastor Tommy Lee expressed gratitude for the progress made, though challenges like manpower shortages persist.
Similarly, Munro College, a historic institution, faced extensive damage during Beryl. The chapel, built in 1912, suffered significant structural harm, but the stained glass windows remained intact. Thanks to contributions from alumni, corporate Jamaica, and the National Education Trust, the school has largely recovered, welcoming students back by June 2025.
The fishing community in Treasure Beach also endured severe losses, with lobster traps destroyed just as the season began. Fishermen like Jason Gordon and Donald Moxam faced financial setbacks but have since rebuilt their livelihoods with support from organizations like The Breds Foundation and National Commercial Bank.
Farmers, too, have struggled to recover. Linetth Whitely of Corby, St. Elizabeth, lost crops worth thousands of dollars but has persevered, replanting and fertilizing her fields despite ongoing challenges. Her story mirrors the broader narrative of Jamaica’s recovery—marked by hardship but driven by hope and community solidarity.
As Tropical Storm Melissa approaches, Jamaica stands as a testament to the power of resilience. While scars from Beryl remain, the island’s ability to rebuild stronger offers a beacon of hope in the face of nature’s fury.
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Bahamas urged to monitor Tropical Storm Melissa hurricane threat
The Bahamas Department of Meteorology (BDM) is closely tracking Tropical Storm Melissa, which is currently situated in the north-central Caribbean. The storm, which has the potential to intensify into a major hurricane by this weekend, poses a significant threat to parts of The Bahamas and surrounding regions. As of the latest update, Melissa remains nearly stationary, located approximately 360 miles south of Matthew Town, 440 miles southwest of Providenciales, and 675 miles south-southeast of New Providence. The storm currently boasts maximum sustained winds of 45 mph, with higher gusts, and is expected to strengthen gradually. Forecasters predict that Melissa could escalate to a Category 3 hurricane by Saturday. The storm is anticipated to drift northeastward today before shifting westward from Saturday through Monday. If the projected path remains consistent, the southwestern islands of the Southeast Bahamas, including the Turks and Caicos, could experience tropical storm or hurricane conditions as early as Tuesday. The rest of the Southeast and Central Bahamas are likely to face impacts from Wednesday into Thursday. Meteorologists have cautioned that interactions with the high terrain of Jamaica, Cuba, or Hispaniola could influence Melissa’s intensity before it approaches the archipelago. Despite these variables, residents in the affected areas are advised to prepare for prolonged heavy rainfall, strong winds, and coastal flooding starting Tuesday. The BDM has urged both residents and visitors to stay informed through official updates available at met.gov.bs.