Antiguan Students in Cuba Safe After Hurricane Melissa

Antigua and Barbuda’s students studying in Cuba have all been confirmed safe following the passage of the devastating Hurricane Melissa this week.

According to reports from Havana, none of the students were injured or harmed during the storm. Antigua and Barbuda’s Resident Ambassador to Cuba, George Goodwin, who is currently in St. John’s, said he maintained constant contact with the students before, during, and after the hurricane.

“Luckily, most of the 35 to 40 students are based in Havana, and that area was not significantly affected by the storm,” Ambassador Goodwin explained. “However, we did have a few students in Santiago, which was impacted. They were advised to move to Havana or other locations out of harm’s way.”

He added that two medical students assigned to hospitals in Santiago had to remain there to assist with patient care but also made it through the storm safely.

Ambassador Goodwin’s report was echoed by Cuban Ambassador to Antigua and Barbuda, Sergio Martinez, who confirmed that the majority of Antiguan students were located in Havana or western provinces that were largely spared.

“Only those in Santiago were in the direct path of the hurricane,” Ambassador Martinez said. “Some relocated to safer areas, while others chose to return home before the storm made landfall.”

Hurricane Melissa struck Jamaica on Tuesday as a Category 5 system, packing winds of up to 185 miles per hour before weakening as it crossed Cuba. At least 28 people have been confirmed dead across Haiti and Jamaica, with several others still missing.

Cuban authorities carried out one of the region’s largest pre-storm evacuations, moving more than 735,000 residents to safety. Recovery operations are now underway, with teams working to restore electricity and distribute essential supplies such as food and medicine.

Despite the storm’s strength, communication lines across Cuba remained mostly operational, allowing students to stay in touch with family and officials throughout the ordeal.