Two Cuba-Destined Relief Vessels Reported Missing following Setting Sail from Mexico.
A comprehensive rescue and recovery operation is presently under way in the Caribbean waters for a pair of lost boats carrying humanitarian supplies en route from the Mexican coast to Cuba.
Military Search Missions Launched
The Mexican government has sent navy personnel and military search aircraft to locate the two vessels, which were carrying at least nine crew members, according to a official statement.
The vessels had been projected to make landfall in Havana on the early part of the week, but there has been no communication from them and no confirmation of their arrival, authorities reported.
Background of Aid to the Island
The Caribbean nation has relied heavily on Mexico's over the past few weeks, as the country struggles through multiple power outages across the country.
"The crews and captains are seasoned mariners, and each boat are outfitted with appropriate safety equipment and emergency beacons," a spokesperson associated with the mission commented.
The nine-person crew are nationals of the United States, Cuba, France, and Poland. Mexico said it has been in touch with rescue coordination centers from each country along with their diplomatic representatives.
"We are co-operating fully with the officials and are still optimistic in the capability of the sailors to safely arrive in Havana," the official further stated.
Previous Relief Mission
Earlier in the week, the Cuban government publicly celebrated and warmly received a different ship that had delivered 14 tons of donated goods to the country.
That vessel, called "a new Granma" in reference to the vessel in which the revolutionary leader landed in Cuba to start the revolution in the 1950s, carried solar panels, drugs, formula milk, bicycles and provisions.
Larger Political Climate
Volunteers and NGOs have largely spearheaded efforts to ship critical assistance to Cuba since January, when a oil sanctions on the country was initiated.
The United Nations have since highlighted ""severe" lack of essential goods, with in excess of 50,000 operations postponed in Cuba due to electricity supply constraints.
Foreign policy pressure have intensified over the past months, with statements from various representatives highlighting the complicated state of relations.
Responding to recent proposals, a prominent Cuban official declared that "the socialist system of Cuba is non-negotiable."
Reports suggest that initial phases of discussions commenced, although their current progress remains not publicly known.
The naval forces stated it was pledged to using every available asset at its disposal to locate the sailboats and secure the safety of the people on board.
At this time, there has been no public statement on the missing boats by the Cuban leadership.