A large-scale rescue and recovery operation is currently under way in the Caribbean Sea for a duo of missing sailboats transporting relief goods journeying from Mexico to the island of Cuba.
Mexico has sent naval teams and reconnaissance aircraft to find the Friendship and Tigger Moth, which were transporting a minimum of 9 personnel, per a military release.
The ships had been scheduled to arrive in Cuba's capital on Tuesday or Wednesday, but there has been a complete lack of contact from them and no official word of their docking, the statement clarified.
Cuba has depended significantly on aid convoys from Mexico over the past few weeks, as the nation struggles through repeated nationwide blackouts.
"Both skippers and their teams are seasoned mariners, and each boat are equipped with proper navigational gear and signalling equipment," an official for the convoy stated.
The nine individuals on board are citizens of Poland, France, Cuba and the US. Mexico said it has opened communications with rescue coordination centers from those nations along with their consular staff.
"We are working closely with the relevant authorities and remain confident in the crews' ability to safely arrive in Havana," the official further stated.
Previously that week, the government in Havana warmly welcomed and warmly received another boat that had carried 14 tonnes of relief supplies to the country.
That ship, called "a modern Granma" following the name of the vessel in which the revolutionary leader came back to Cuba to begin the armed struggle in the 1950s, delivered solar equipment, pharmaceuticals, infant formula, bikes and food.
Non-governmental organizations and volunteers have largely spearheaded initiatives to deliver humanitarian aid to Cuba beginning in January, when a oil sanctions on the island nation began.
Global bodies have since highlighted "dire" shortages of supplies, with more than fifty thousand operations called off in Cuba due to power shortages.
Political pressure have increased in recent months, with comments from different representatives underscoring the complicated situation regarding diplomatic ties.
Reacting to recent comments, a senior official from Cuba insisted that "the socialist system of Cuba is not subject to discussion."
Accounts suggest that initial phases of discussions commenced, although their ongoing development remains not publicly known.
The naval forces affirmed it was pledged to using every available asset at its reach to locate the vessels and secure the well-being of the people on board.
As of now, there has been no public statement on the lost ships by the Cuban government.
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