October 21, 2025 – The Caribbean region finds itself grappling with two significant crises today: the devastating landfall of Hurricane Melissa, a rare Category 5 storm, which has inflicted widespread destruction across Jamaica and Haiti, and an escalating diplomatic spat between Colombia and the United States over controversial US military strikes in the region.
Hurricane Melissa, the thirteenth named storm and a formidable Category 5 hurricane of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, officially formed in the central Caribbean Sea on October 21, 2025. It rapidly intensified over exceptionally warm waters, becoming one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes on record. The storm exhibited remarkable resilience, maintaining Category 5 strength for over 30 hours, a duration not seen in the Atlantic basin since Hurricane Dorian in 2019.
Melissa’s Catastrophic Landfall and Devastation
On October 28, 2025, Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica as a catastrophic Category 5 storm with sustained winds of 185 mph, tying it with the Labor Day Hurricane of 1935 and Hurricane Dorian of 2019 for the strongest Atlantic hurricane landfall on record. The hurricane delivered a devastating blow, unleashing life-threatening winds, torrential rainfall, and a catastrophic storm surge. At its peak intensity, a dropsonde instrument recorded an extraordinary wind gust of 252 mph (406 km/h), setting a new world record for the highest wind speed ever measured by such equipment.
Jamaica Reels from Unprecedented Destruction
Jamaica bore the brunt of Melissa’s fury, experiencing catastrophic damage across its western and southern parishes. Reports indicate widespread destruction of homes, infrastructure, and agricultural lands, with entire communities submerged under floodwaters. At least 75% of the island lost electricity, and communications were severely impacted in the hardest-hit areas. The storm’s impact on the island’s economy is staggering, with initial damage estimates reaching approximately US$8.8 billion, equivalent to 41% of Jamaica’s 2024 GDP. Tragically, the human toll has been immense, with authorities confirming at least 45 deaths and 15 people still missing as recovery efforts continue. Prime Minister Andrew Holness declared Jamaica a disaster area, describing the scale of devastation as unprecedented.
Haiti Faces Deadly Flooding and Landslides
Neighboring Haiti also suffered immense hardship as Hurricane Melissa passed, triggering deadly flooding and landslides. In the southern coastal town of Petit-Goâve, a river burst its banks, causing dozens of homes to collapse and resulting in numerous fatalities, including children. Across Haiti, at least 43 deaths were reported, with thousands displaced and forced to seek shelter. The storm exacerbated existing vulnerabilities, deepening hardships for many Haitian residents.
Regional Tensions Escalate Amidst US Military Operations
Concurrently with the natural disaster, the Caribbean region is experiencing heightened geopolitical tensions stemming from ongoing US military strikes against alleged drug trafficking vessels. Since early September 2025, the United States, under the Trump administration, has conducted numerous airstrikes in the Caribbean and Pacific, claiming to target “narco-terrorists”. These operations, part of what has been dubbed “Operation Southern Spear,” have resulted in significant casualties, with reports indicating that at least 80 people have been killed.
Colombia Recalls Ambassador Amid Diplomatic Crisis
The legality and justification of these US strikes have come under intense scrutiny. Critics, including UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, have condemned the operations, stating they “violate international human rights law” and called for investigations into potential “extrajudicial killings”. The lack of publicly presented evidence linking the targeted vessels to drug smuggling has fueled widespread criticism.
Colombia has been particularly vocal in its opposition, recalling its ambassador to the United States. President Gustavo Petro has accused the US of committing “murder” and violating Colombian sovereignty, especially after a strike allegedly killed a Colombian fisherman. In response to Petro’s stance, President Trump reportedly called the Colombian president an “illegal drug dealer” and threatened to cut US aid and impose tariffs on Colombian goods. This diplomatic fallout has significantly strained bilateral relations, threatening crucial counter-narcotics cooperation. Colombia has also announced it will suspend intelligence sharing with the US until the strikes cease.
Massive US Military Buildup in the Region
Adding to the regional anxiety, the United States has significantly ramped up its military presence in the Caribbean. The arrival of the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier strike group, along with nearly a dozen warships and approximately 12,000 troops, marks the largest US naval concentration in the region in decades. This military buildup, described as “Operation Southern Spear,” aims to project US power and continue its counter-drug operations, though it has heightened tensions with Venezuela.
As the region navigates the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Melissa’s destructive path, it also faces a complex geopolitical landscape marked by international law concerns, diplomatic ruptures, and a significant US military escalation. The twin crises underscore the profound challenges confronting the Caribbean community today.