By Tiana Cole | HGP Nightly News|
HURRICANE MELISSA THREATENS JAMAICA AS CATEGORY 5 SYSTEM
Hurricane Melissa has intensified into a Category 5 storm with maximum sustained winds of 140 miles per hour, and is expected to strengthen further as it moves toward Jamaica.
The U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported that Melissa was about 110 miles south of Kingston Monday afternoon, with landfall expected Monday night or early Tuesday, followed by impacts to southeastern Cuba by late Tuesday.
Authorities have closed both of Jamaica’s international airports and activated 881 shelters nationwide.
Residents in vulnerable areas are being urged to evacuate amid forecasts of catastrophic flooding, landslides, and storm surges, though some have chosen to remain.
The NHC projects 15 to 30 inches of rainfall for Jamaica and southern Hispaniola, with local maxima of up to 40 inches, while eastern Cuba could see up to 20 inches.
U.S. MILITARY DEPLOYMENT ESCALATES TENSIONS IN THE CARIBBEAN
U.S. President Donald Trump has significantly escalated his military presence in the Caribbean, deploying the Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier group, accompanied by eight warships, a nuclear submarine, and F-35 aircraft.
The Pentagon says the operation targets drug-trafficking routes linked to Venezuela, but regional leaders have expressed concern about the scale and intent of the buildup.
Since early September, U.S. forces have conducted 10 air and sea strikes on alleged narcotics vessels in the Caribbean, killing around 40 people, many reportedly Venezuelan nationals.
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has condemned the campaign as an attempt to destabilize his government, while Washington has doubled its reward for information leading to his arrest to US$50 million, accusing him of narcotics and criminal ties—charges Maduro denies.
REGIONAL WOMEN’S GROUPS SUPPORT GRENADA’S REJECTION OF U.S. RADAR INSTALLATION
In Grenada, a coalition of 112 Caribbean women’s organizations has called on CARICOM Chairman Andrew Holness and regional leaders to support Grenada’s refusal to allow the installation of temporary U.S. radar equipment on the island.
The United States had requested permission to deploy the system, along with technical personnel, at the Maurice Bishop International Airport.
Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell and Senate President Dessima Williams have reportedly rejected the proposal, emphasizing Grenada’s sovereignty.
The coalition’s letter, copied to CARICOM Secretary-General Dr. Carla Barnett, underscored concerns over foreign military assets being stationed in the region.
