The Caribbean Needs US Climate, Humanitarian Response, Not Military Aggression

As the morning sun rises on October 21, 2025, Tropical Storm Melissa is slowly tracking westward and appears to be gaining organization. While forecasts still show some divergence in its path, current indications lean towards a trajectory towards Jamaica. There is widespread consensus that the Dominican Republic and regions of Haiti could receive between 6 to 12 inches of rain by Friday, with the potential for even greater totals over the weekend. Jamaica, Cuba, and to a lesser extent Puerto Rico, are also at risk of significant rainfall and subsequent flooding. According to Climate Central, the storm exhibits clear signs of climate change influence.

The United States plays a substantial role in the emissions responsible for climate change and has a duty to assist those most affected, particularly in regions like the Caribbean currently facing climate and humanitarian crises.

Haiti, recognized as the first free Black republic in the world, today finds itself entrenched in a severe humanitarian crisis; it ranks as the least prepared, with its populace being the most vulnerable among the Greater Antilles to withstand a powerful storm. Haiti’s landscape is marked by heavy deforestation, rendering it extremely susceptible to flooding and mudslides. It is yet to recover from the catastrophic earthquakes of 2010 and 2021 that resulted in extensive devastation and loss of life, not to mention the long history of extractive colonialism.

Currently, Haiti is suffering from a violent conflict propelled by powerful gangs and a frail government, rife with corruption. According to the United Nations’ International Organization for Migration, over 1.4 million Haitians have been displaced this year due to violence. Even though Haiti may not bear the brunt of this storm, in its current traumatized state, the country is ill-equipped to handle any additional harm. Tropical Storm Melissa is projected to be a slow-moving system, possibly slowing further, leading to extended periods of heavy rainfall. The chances of flooding and mudslides particularly affecting Cuba, Jamaica, Haiti, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic are high.

The US needs to brace for climate-related disasters and humanitarian needs

What role does the US play in this situation? US military forces are indeed present in the Caribbean. However, their mission does not involve preparing for humanitarian assistance in response to potential storm damage. Instead, they are mobilizing troops, destroyers, cruisers, amphibious landing craft, drones, and stealth fighters as part of aggressive posturing towards Venezuela. Why is this relevant? While the situation in Venezuela is complex and challenging, people throughout Latin America are acutely aware that military interventions or CIA covert actions will not yield a positive outcome.

Historically, experience has illustrated that such actions only exacerbate suffering and destabilize the region. Moreover, a commitment to the democratic principles of governance dictates that leadership change must be in the hands of a country’s populace—certainly not dictated by the US government, especially an administration that has swiftly veered towards autocratic governance and employs unlawful tactics to eliminate individuals in the Caribbean Sea.

Adding to the frustration, Puerto Rico, where I was born and raised, is being used as a platform for US military operations rather than a base for disaster response resources. Puerto Ricans are actively advocating to resist the utilization of our land, people, and assets to prepare for an attack against a sovereign nation in Latin America.

The US government is gearing up for aggression in the Caribbean

As the US inches ever closer to authoritarianism, it is crucial for citizens to denounce the use of the country’s vast resources—which we finance with our taxes—to threaten or engage in military operations against sovereign nations. Instead, we should call for these resources to be allocated towards essential humanitarian aid efforts following disasters.

During the earthquake disasters in Haiti in 2010 and 2021, the US military supported USAID in relief operations. Though those efforts were not flawless, they were grounded in humanitarian principles. However, since President Trump’s administration began roughly ten months ago, non-elected officials have effectively decimated USAID, diminishing its ability to assist abroad. Furthermore, the current administration has seemingly manufactured justifications for potential warfare with Venezuela. In light of the gathering storm in the Caribbean, the US’s military-focused strategies and priorities in Latin America are alarmingly counterproductive for the vulnerable populations in the storm’s vicinity.

Given its historical role in contributing to climate change, the United States bears a responsibility to safeguard individuals against climate catastrophes—a duty that goes beyond its borders to include people in the Caribbean. Resources must be directed towards fostering a healthier and more secure world, rather than perpetuating cycles of violence.