cuba

In what was predicted, Tropical Storm Oscar will continue across the central and southeastern Bahamas before it heads back into the open waters of the Atlantic. The storm, which escalated to a Category 1 hurricane on Sunday while in Cuba, has been linked to the tragic loss of six lives there.

As of Tuesday morning, according to the National Hurricane Center, Oscar was pinpointed approximately 45 miles southeast of Long Island in the Bahamas, advancing northeastward at a speed of 12 mph. Despite its downgrade to a tropical storm, it still packs winds of 40 mph, with its influence felt up to 105 miles from its epicenter.

The Bahamas Department of Meteorology issued a tropical storm warning for Long Island, Rum Cay, San Salvador, Crooked Island, Acklins, Long Cay, Ragged Island, Mayaguana and Inagua.

Residents in these regions of the Bahamas are on high alert.

Forecasters anticipate Oscar to pick up pace, moving northeast later today and into Wednesday. The storm’s trajectory suggests it will skirt close to the southeastern and central Bahamas throughout the day before distancing itself from the islands by tonight.

While no significant change in Oscar’s strength is expected today, it’s predicted to transition into a post-tropical cyclone by this evening or early tomorrow, eventually merging with another low-pressure system by Thursday.

The southeastern Bahamas, along with the Turks and Caicos Islands, are bracing for substantial rainfall, with predictions ranging from 3 to 5 inches, and isolated regions potentially receiving up to 8 inches by Tuesday.

Oscar’s initial landfall as a Category 1 hurricane in Cuba was marked by devastation, claiming at least six lives. The hurricane’s remarkably small size, with a wind field extending merely 6 miles, led to an unforeseen landfall on Grand Inagua Island in the Bahamas on Saturday, followed by a second landfall in eastern Cuba late Sunday.

Some areas were inundated by at least 15 inches of rain on Monday, prompting warnings of severe flooding and potential landslides. The reported fatalities occurred in the province of Guantánamo.

Featured Picture: AP Press

Cuban migrants housed at the Bahamas Department of Corrections have stopped eating.

After one week at the facility, 152 migrants are demanding to be confined elsewhere, routinely at the Bahamas Department of Corrections.

Hurls of insults in Spanish are echoed down the hall as they beat the prison gates and throw their clothing out of the cells into the corridors.

Officers familiar with the situation said the group should not have been placed at the facility and is protesting to get the attention of officials.

It is reported prison officials have been trying to get immigration officials to visit the group but as of Thursday afternoon, no one from the Department had arrived.

Of the group, six men are confined to a cell and most are reported to be former marines from the communist island nation where they escaped economic and political woes, worsened by tightened U.S. sanctions and negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic— food shortages and inflation.

Prison officers fear the group may use its tactical skills on guards so attempts were made to keep the men in their cells.

A father and three adult sons are reported to be among the group.

Some have reportedly collapsed after refusing the food offered food by prison staff.

A man in the group translates their demands from Spanish to English.

In recent weeks, the Bahamas has seen a significant influx of Cuban migrants.