Two Cuba-Headed Relief Sailboats Reported Missing following Leaving Mexico.
A comprehensive search and rescue operation is currently under way in the Caribbean waters for a pair of lost sailboats carrying relief goods traveling from Mexico to Havana.
Military Search Efforts Initiated
The Mexican government has dispatched naval assets and search planes to search for the Friendship and Tigger Moth, which were had on board at least 9 sailors, per a military release.
The vessels had been projected to arrive in Havana on either Tuesday or Wednesday, but there has been a complete lack of contact from them and zero verification of their docking, the statement clarified.
Background of Aid to Cuba
Cuba has leaned on aid convoys from Mexico over the past few weeks, as the country struggles through multiple national electricity failures.
"Both crews and captains are veteran seafarers, and each boat are fitted with suitable safety systems and communication devices," a representative involved in the effort stated.
The nine individuals on board are from the United States, Cuba, France, and Poland. Mexico said it has been in touch with maritime rescue coordination centres from those nations along with their diplomatic representatives.
"The group is collaborating completely with the authorities and are still optimistic in the crews' ability to reach Havana safely," the official further stated.
Recent Aid Delivery
Earlier in the week, the Cuban government warmly welcomed and greeted with fanfare a different ship that had transported 14 tonnes of donated goods to the country.
That boat, called "a modern Granma" after the boat in which the revolutionary leader landed in Cuba to launch the Cuban Revolution in the 1950s, delivered solar equipment, drugs, infant formula, bicycles and food.
Larger International Backdrop
Volunteers and NGOs have primarily led initiatives to deliver critical assistance to Cuba beginning in January, coinciding with the time a fuel embargo on the Communist-run nation began.
Global bodies have since highlighted "dire" lack of essential goods, with over 50k surgeries cancelled in Cuba due to power shortages.
Political pressure have increased over the past months, with comments from several representatives emphasizing the complex state of bilateral relations.
Responding to previous proposals, a senior Cuban official insisted that "the socialist system of Cuba is not up for negotiation."
Reports suggest that early stages of negotiations commenced, although their present status remains uncertain.
The naval forces said it was committed to using all of the resources at its command to discover the vessels and secure the security of the sailors.
At this time, there has been no public statement on the disappeared vessels by the government in Havana.
