🔗 Share this article Two Separate Cuba-bound Humanitarian Sailboats Reported Missing after Setting Sail from the Coast of Mexico. The Friendship and Tigger Moth left Quintana Roo on March 20th. A extensive search and rescue effort is presently ongoing in the Caribbean waters for a pair of lost boats transporting humanitarian supplies en route from Mexico to Cuba. Military Search and Rescue Efforts Launched Authorities in Mexico has deployed naval teams and reconnaissance aircraft to search for the missing boats, which were had on board no fewer than nine total sailors, per a navy statement. The ships had been expected to reach the Cuban capital on the early part of the week, but there has been no communication from them and no confirmation of their docking, the navy said. Background of Relief to Cuba Cuba has relied heavily on aid convoys from Mexico over the last several weeks, as the country endures multiple national electricity failures. "Both captains and crews are seasoned mariners, and both vessels are equipped with proper safety systems and signalling equipment," a spokesperson associated with the mission said. The nine individuals on board are citizens of the United States, Cuba, France, and Poland. Mexican authorities said it has been in touch with rescue coordination centers from those nations along with their diplomatic representatives. "The group is collaborating completely with the relevant authorities and are still optimistic in the ability of the crews to make it to Cuba without incident," the statement continued. Previous Relief Delivery Earlier in the week, the Cuban government publicly celebrated and officially received another boat that had transported a significant amount of relief supplies to the island. That vessel, nicknamed "a new Granma" after the yacht in which the revolutionary leader came back to Cuba to start the revolution in the 1950s, delivered solar panels, drugs, baby formula, bicycles and provisions. Larger Political Climate Charity groups and individuals have been at the forefront of efforts to ship humanitarian aid to Cuba since January, a period which saw a oil sanctions on the country came into effect. The United Nations have since highlighted ""severe" shortages of supplies, with in excess of fifty thousand surgical procedures called off in Cuba because of power shortages. Foreign policy tensions have increased in recent months, with statements from several leaders highlighting the complex situation regarding relations. Reacting to certain comments, a high-ranking government figure stated firmly that "the socialist system of Cuba is non-negotiable." Indications suggest that initial phases of talks commenced, although their ongoing development remains uncertain. The Mexican navy stated it was dedicated to using the full extent of its capabilities at its command to locate the vessels and guarantee the well-being of the crews. As of now, there has been no official comment on the missing boats by the Cuban leadership.
The Friendship and Tigger Moth left Quintana Roo on March 20th. A extensive search and rescue effort is presently ongoing in the Caribbean waters for a pair of lost boats transporting humanitarian supplies en route from Mexico to Cuba. Military Search and Rescue Efforts Launched Authorities in Mexico has deployed naval teams and reconnaissance aircraft to search for the missing boats, which were had on board no fewer than nine total sailors, per a navy statement. The ships had been expected to reach the Cuban capital on the early part of the week, but there has been no communication from them and no confirmation of their docking, the navy said. Background of Relief to Cuba Cuba has relied heavily on aid convoys from Mexico over the last several weeks, as the country endures multiple national electricity failures. "Both captains and crews are seasoned mariners, and both vessels are equipped with proper safety systems and signalling equipment," a spokesperson associated with the mission said. The nine individuals on board are citizens of the United States, Cuba, France, and Poland. Mexican authorities said it has been in touch with rescue coordination centers from those nations along with their diplomatic representatives. "The group is collaborating completely with the relevant authorities and are still optimistic in the ability of the crews to make it to Cuba without incident," the statement continued. Previous Relief Delivery Earlier in the week, the Cuban government publicly celebrated and officially received another boat that had transported a significant amount of relief supplies to the island. That vessel, nicknamed "a new Granma" after the yacht in which the revolutionary leader came back to Cuba to start the revolution in the 1950s, delivered solar panels, drugs, baby formula, bicycles and provisions. Larger Political Climate Charity groups and individuals have been at the forefront of efforts to ship humanitarian aid to Cuba since January, a period which saw a oil sanctions on the country came into effect. The United Nations have since highlighted ""severe" shortages of supplies, with in excess of fifty thousand surgical procedures called off in Cuba because of power shortages. Foreign policy tensions have increased in recent months, with statements from several leaders highlighting the complex situation regarding relations. Reacting to certain comments, a high-ranking government figure stated firmly that "the socialist system of Cuba is non-negotiable." Indications suggest that initial phases of talks commenced, although their ongoing development remains uncertain. The Mexican navy stated it was dedicated to using the full extent of its capabilities at its command to locate the vessels and guarantee the well-being of the crews. As of now, there has been no official comment on the missing boats by the Cuban leadership.