The U.S. Navy has initiated the evacuation of families from Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, ahead of Hurricane Melissa, a powerful tropical storm expected to make landfall in the region within the next 48 hours. The base commander expanded the previous evacuation order on Saturday to include all non-mission-essential U.S. citizens, ensuring that families of military personnel, civilian staff, and contractors are relocated to safer locations.
The decision to broaden the evacuation scope reflects a growing concern over the storm’s projected intensity. Meteorological data shows Hurricane Melissa is currently strengthening, with winds reaching Category 3 status on the Saffir-Simpson scale. The National Hurricane Center has issued a hurricane warning for the area, emphasizing the need for immediate preparedness measures.
The main administration building at the naval base remains a critical operational hub for coordinating evacuation efforts and maintaining communication with U.S. military and civilian authorities. While the evacuation process is ongoing, military officials have assured that essential operations will continue to support the base’s security and infrastructure, minimizing disruptions to critical functions.
This evacuation marks a significant development in the ongoing presence of U.S. military forces in Cuba. The base has been a focal point of diplomatic and strategic discussions for years, with its operation under a U.S.-Cuban agreement that expires in 2023. The current situation highlights the complex interplay between national security, humanitarian concerns, and regional weather patterns in shaping the base’s operations.