Search and Rescue Operation Launched for Missing Aid Vessels
A search and rescue operation is currently underway in the Caribbean for two sailboats carrying humanitarian supplies that went missing while traveling from Mexico to Cuba.
The Mexican navy has deployed naval teams and military search aircraft to locate the vessels named Friendship and Tigger Moth, which had at least nine crew members on board, according to a statement issued by the Mexican navy.
The vessels were expected to arrive in Havana on Tuesday or Wednesday; however, there has been no communication from them, nor any confirmation of their arrival, the navy reported.
The Mexican navy emphasized its commitment to utilizing all available resources to locate the boats and ensure the safety of the crews.
The two ships departed from Isla Mujeres, located in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo, on 20 March.
The nine crew members aboard are nationals from Poland, France, Cuba, and the United States. Mexico has established contact with maritime rescue coordination centers from each respective country, as well as their diplomatic representatives.
"The captains and crews are experienced sailors, and both vessels are equipped with appropriate safety systems and signalling equipment,"
the convoy's spokesperson stated in a message to .
"We are co-operating fully with the authorities and remain confident in the crews' ability to reach Havana safely."
As of now, the Cuban government has not issued any comments regarding the missing vessels.
Context of Humanitarian Aid Deliveries to Cuba
Earlier this week, the Cuban government celebrated and warmly received another boat that successfully transported 14 tonnes of humanitarian aid to the island.
This vessel, nicknamed "Granma 2.0" after the boat used by Fidel Castro to return to Cuba and initiate the Cuban Revolution in the 1950s, delivered items including solar panels, medicines, baby formula, bicycles, and food supplies.
Since January, volunteers and non-governmental organizations have primarily led efforts to deliver humanitarian aid to Cuba, following the imposition of a fuel embargo on the Communist-run country by then US President Donald Trump.
The United Nations has since warned of "dire" supply shortages in Cuba, with more than 50,000 surgeries canceled due to electricity supply constraints.
Cuba has relied heavily on humanitarian shipments from Mexico in recent weeks as the country endures multiple nationwide blackouts under the US energy blockade.
Trump increased pressure on Cuba after US forces seized former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in January. Venezuela had previously supplied large quantities of oil to Cuba, a regional ally.
Last week, Trump considered the possibility of a "friendly takeover" of Cuba, later describing it as an "honour." In response, Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernandez de Cossio asserted that
"the political system of Cuba is not up for negotiation."
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel announced that early stages of US-Cuba negotiations had begun, although the progress of these talks remains unclear.
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