Dánica Coto, Associated Press

While those in Puerto Rico are not allowed to vote in presidential elections despite being U.S. citizens, they stay in close touch with relatives on the mainland and can be a powerful influence.

Ernesto is forecast to strengthen into a major hurricane and its center is expected to pass near Bermuda on Saturday.

Ernesto is expected to become a hurricane early Wednesday as the center of the storm moves just north of Puerto Rico on a path toward Bermuda.

Hurricane Beryl roared through open waters Tuesday as a powerful Category 4 storm heading toward Jamaica after killing at least six people when it made landfall in the southeast Caribbean.

Haitians clad in somber suits, shiny shoes and black and white formal dresses shouted and pointed fingers at the neighboring seating platforms where Haitian officials and foreign dignitaries sat above at least a dozen men with high-powered weapons.

Haiti’s designated Prime Minister Ariel Henry will replace the country’s interim prime minister to honor the wishes of the country’s slain president, an official told The Associated Press on Monday.

Police identified the man on Sunday night as Christian Emmanuel Sanon and said President Moïse’s alleged killers were protecting him.

James Solages, a U.S. citizen, is among the six people arrested so far in the killing of President Jovenel Moïse, officials said. At least four others were killed.

The killing of President Jovenel Moïse, 53, threatened more turbulence for a country already enduring gang violence, soaring inflation and protests of his increasingly authoritarian rule.

Conditions worsened for residents as loud rumbling, lightning and heavy ashfall were observed and residents reported power cuts.

There were no immediate reports of casualties from the eruption that occurred four days short of the 42nd anniversary of the last sizable eruption.

Tropical Storms Laura and Marco were both projected to approach Louisiana at or close to hurricane force just two days apart next week.

A plan to hold another primary on Aug. 16 for voting centers that could not open on Sunday could change depending on the ruling of a lawsuit.

Forecasters declared a hurricane watch for parts of the Florida coastline on Friday as Hurricane Isaias drenched the Bahamas on a track for the U.S. East Coast.

The governor warned that Puerto Rico can't pay its $72 billion public debt on the eve of a private Monday meeting with legislators, delivering another jolt to the recession-gripped U.S. island as well as a world financial system already worrying over Greece's collapsing finances.