Two Cuba-Destined Humanitarian Ships Declared Lost after Departing the Coast of Mexico.
A comprehensive search and rescue operation is presently in progress in the Caribbean region for two unlocated sailing vessels carrying humanitarian supplies traveling from Mexico to Havana.
Naval Rescue Operations Launched
The Mexican government has deployed naval assets and military search aircraft to locate the Friendship and Tigger Moth, which were transporting no fewer than 9 personnel, according to a navy statement.
The vessels had been expected to make landfall in Havana on either Tuesday or Wednesday, but there has been a complete lack of contact from them and no official word of their arrival, authorities reported.
Background of Aid to Cuba
Cuba has leaned on aid convoys from Mexico over recent weeks, as the nation grapples with multiple nationwide blackouts.
"The captains and crews are experienced sailors, and both vessels are outfitted with proper safety systems and emergency beacons," a spokesperson associated with the mission stated.
The nine crew members are from France, Poland, the United States, and Cuba. Mexico said it has opened communications with coast guard agencies from each country along with their diplomatic representatives.
"We are collaborating completely with the authorities and remain confident in the capability of the sailors to make it to Cuba without incident," the statement continued.
Recent Humanitarian Mission
Earlier in the week, the Cuban government warmly welcomed and greeted with fanfare a separate vessel that had delivered 14 tonnes of humanitarian aid to the country.
That ship, called "a new Granma" after the vessel in which Castro came back to Cuba to launch the Cuban Revolution in the mid-20th century, delivered photovoltaic panels, medicines, baby formula, bicycles and food.
Wider Political Climate
Volunteers and NGOs have been at the forefront of efforts to bring humanitarian aid to Cuba since January, coinciding with the time a energy blockade on the Communist-run nation began.
Global bodies have since raised alarms about "dire" lack of essential goods, with more than 50k surgeries cancelled in Cuba because of power shortages.
Political measures have intensified over the past months, with remarks from different leaders emphasizing the complicated state of diplomatic ties.
In response to previous comments, a high-ranking government figure insisted that "the governance model of Cuba is non-negotiable."
Accounts suggest that preliminary steps of negotiations were initiated, although their present status remains uncertain.
The naval forces stated it was dedicated to using all of the resources at its command to find the vessels and secure the well-being of the crews.
At this time, there has been silence on the missing boats by the Cuban government.