🔗 Share this article Two Separate Cuba-Destined Relief Ships Listed Lost after Leaving Mexico. The vessels Friendship and Tigger Moth departed Isla Mujeres, Mexico on March 20th. A large-scale rescue and recovery effort is presently ongoing in the Caribbean Sea for a pair of missing boats carrying humanitarian supplies en route from Mexico to Cuba. Maritime Rescue Missions Deployed Mexico has deployed naval teams and reconnaissance aircraft to search for the two vessels, which were transporting a minimum of nine crew members, per a official statement. The boats had been expected to make landfall in the Cuban capital on Tuesday or Wednesday, but there has been no communication from them and zero verification of their safe arrival, the statement clarified. The Situation of Humanitarian Support to Cuba Cuba has leaned on aid convoys from Mexico over recent weeks, as the island grapples with repeated power outages across the country. "The crews and captains are veteran seafarers, and both vessels are fitted with proper safety systems and signalling equipment," a representative for the convoy stated. The nine-person crew are from Poland, France, Cuba and the US. Officials said it has been in touch with coast guard agencies from each country along with their diplomatic representatives. "We are working closely with the relevant authorities and remain confident in the ability of the crews to reach Havana safely," the statement continued. Recent Humanitarian Mission Previously that week, the Cuban authorities widely celebrated and greeted with fanfare a different ship that had carried a significant amount of humanitarian aid to the country. That vessel, called "a new Granma" after the yacht in which the revolutionary leader landed in Cuba to launch the armed struggle in the 1950s, brought solar equipment, medicines, baby formula, bikes and foodstuffs. Wider Political Context Charity groups and individuals have largely spearheaded efforts to ship humanitarian aid to Cuba starting at the turn of the year, a period which saw a energy blockade on the country began. Global bodies have since highlighted ""critical" lack of essential goods, with more than 50,000 operations cancelled in Cuba because of energy rationing. Foreign policy tensions have increased in recent months, with remarks from various leaders underscoring the complicated nature of bilateral relations. Reacting to previous statements, a prominent Cuban official stated firmly that "the governance model of Cuba is not up for negotiation." Indications suggest that preliminary steps of discussions commenced, although their ongoing development remains unclear. The maritime authorities said it was committed to using every available asset at its command to find the sailboats and secure the safety of the sailors. As of now, there has been no official comment on the missing boats by the Cuban government.
The vessels Friendship and Tigger Moth departed Isla Mujeres, Mexico on March 20th. A large-scale rescue and recovery effort is presently ongoing in the Caribbean Sea for a pair of missing boats carrying humanitarian supplies en route from Mexico to Cuba. Maritime Rescue Missions Deployed Mexico has deployed naval teams and reconnaissance aircraft to search for the two vessels, which were transporting a minimum of nine crew members, per a official statement. The boats had been expected to make landfall in the Cuban capital on Tuesday or Wednesday, but there has been no communication from them and zero verification of their safe arrival, the statement clarified. The Situation of Humanitarian Support to Cuba Cuba has leaned on aid convoys from Mexico over recent weeks, as the island grapples with repeated power outages across the country. "The crews and captains are veteran seafarers, and both vessels are fitted with proper safety systems and signalling equipment," a representative for the convoy stated. The nine-person crew are from Poland, France, Cuba and the US. Officials said it has been in touch with coast guard agencies from each country along with their diplomatic representatives. "We are working closely with the relevant authorities and remain confident in the ability of the crews to reach Havana safely," the statement continued. Recent Humanitarian Mission Previously that week, the Cuban authorities widely celebrated and greeted with fanfare a different ship that had carried a significant amount of humanitarian aid to the country. That vessel, called "a new Granma" after the yacht in which the revolutionary leader landed in Cuba to launch the armed struggle in the 1950s, brought solar equipment, medicines, baby formula, bikes and foodstuffs. Wider Political Context Charity groups and individuals have largely spearheaded efforts to ship humanitarian aid to Cuba starting at the turn of the year, a period which saw a energy blockade on the country began. Global bodies have since highlighted ""critical" lack of essential goods, with more than 50,000 operations cancelled in Cuba because of energy rationing. Foreign policy tensions have increased in recent months, with remarks from various leaders underscoring the complicated nature of bilateral relations. Reacting to previous statements, a prominent Cuban official stated firmly that "the governance model of Cuba is not up for negotiation." Indications suggest that preliminary steps of discussions commenced, although their ongoing development remains unclear. The maritime authorities said it was committed to using every available asset at its command to find the sailboats and secure the safety of the sailors. As of now, there has been no official comment on the missing boats by the Cuban government.