Two Cuba-Headed Humanitarian Sailboats Reported Unaccounted For after Leaving Mexican Waters.
A extensive search and rescue operation is actively under way in the Caribbean region for a pair of missing sailing vessels carrying humanitarian supplies traveling from Mexico to Havana.
Naval Search Operations Launched
The Mexican government has dispatched naval teams and search planes to locate the missing boats, which were carrying no fewer than nine total sailors, according to a military release.
The boats had been expected to make landfall in Havana on the early part of the week, but there has been a complete lack of contact from them and zero verification of their docking, the statement clarified.
Background of Humanitarian Support to the Island
The island nation has leaned on humanitarian shipments from Mexico over recent weeks, as the island struggles through widespread nationwide blackouts.
"The crews and captains are seasoned mariners, and each boat are equipped with appropriate navigational gear and signalling equipment," a spokesperson for the convoy stated.
The nine crew members are from Poland, France, Cuba and the US. Officials said it has established contact with rescue coordination centers from the involved countries along with their consular staff.
"Our team is collaborating completely with the relevant authorities and are still optimistic in the crews' ability to safely arrive in Havana," the statement continued.
Previous Relief Shipment
Earlier in the week, the government in Havana publicly celebrated and greeted with fanfare another boat that had carried a significant amount of donated goods to the nation.
That ship, called "a new Granma" following the name of the yacht in which Castro came back to Cuba to launch the revolution in the 1950s, carried solar equipment, pharmaceuticals, formula milk, bicycles and foodstuffs.
Broader Political Context
Volunteers and NGOs have largely spearheaded efforts to ship critical assistance to Cuba beginning in January, a period which saw a oil sanctions on the country was initiated.
International organizations have since highlighted "dire" supply shortages, with in excess of 50k surgical procedures called off in Cuba due to energy rationing.
Foreign policy pressure have increased lately, with statements from different leaders underscoring the complex situation regarding relations.
Reacting to certain proposals, a prominent government figure declared that "the political system of Cuba is not up for negotiation."
Reports suggest that preliminary steps of discussions commenced, although their current progress remains not publicly known.
The maritime authorities stated it was pledged to using the full extent of its capabilities at its reach to find the boats and guarantee the security of the people on board.
At this time, there has been no official comment on the missing boats by the Cuban leadership.
