🔗 Share this article Two Cuba-Headed Humanitarian Ships Listed Missing following Setting Sail from the Coast of Mexico. The vessels Friendship and Tigger Moth departed Quintana Roo on the 20th of March. A comprehensive rescue and recovery effort is presently in progress in the Caribbean region for two missing sailing vessels loaded with relief goods en route from the Mexican coast to Cuba. Maritime Rescue Operations Deployed The Mexican government has deployed naval assets and reconnaissance aircraft to find the missing boats, which were transporting at least nine total sailors, per a navy statement. The ships had been projected to reach the Cuban capital on Tuesday or Wednesday, but there has been a complete lack of contact from them and no confirmation of their arrival, the navy said. Context of Aid to the Island Cuba has relied heavily on aid convoys from Mexico over the past few weeks, as the nation struggles through repeated power outages across the country. "Both crews and captains are seasoned mariners, and both vessels are fitted with suitable navigational gear and signalling equipment," a spokesperson involved in the effort stated. The nine individuals on board are citizens of the United States, Cuba, France, and Poland. Mexican authorities said it has established contact with rescue coordination centers from those nations along with their diplomatic representatives. "We are working closely with the relevant authorities and remain confident in the capability of the sailors to safely arrive in Havana," the official further stated. Previous Relief Mission Earlier in the week, the government in Havana publicly celebrated and greeted with fanfare another boat that had transported 14 tonnes of relief supplies to the island. That boat, nicknamed "a new Granma" in reference to the boat in which the revolutionary leader returned to Cuba to start the revolution in the mid-20th century, delivered photovoltaic panels, pharmaceuticals, baby formula, bikes and provisions. Larger Geopolitical Context Volunteers and NGOs have primarily led efforts to ship humanitarian aid to Cuba starting at the turn of the year, a period which saw a oil sanctions on the country was initiated. The United Nations have since warned of "dire" lack of essential goods, with over fifty thousand surgeries cancelled in Cuba because of energy rationing. Political measures have increased lately, with remarks from several leaders emphasizing the delicate state of diplomatic ties. In response to certain comments, a senior government figure stated firmly that "the governance model of Cuba is not up for negotiation." Indications suggest that preliminary steps of talks commenced, although their ongoing development remains not publicly known. The maritime authorities affirmed it was committed to using all of the resources at its disposal to locate the sailboats and secure the well-being of the sailors. To date, there has been no official comment on the missing boats by the government in Havana.
The vessels Friendship and Tigger Moth departed Quintana Roo on the 20th of March. A comprehensive rescue and recovery effort is presently in progress in the Caribbean region for two missing sailing vessels loaded with relief goods en route from the Mexican coast to Cuba. Maritime Rescue Operations Deployed The Mexican government has deployed naval assets and reconnaissance aircraft to find the missing boats, which were transporting at least nine total sailors, per a navy statement. The ships had been projected to reach the Cuban capital on Tuesday or Wednesday, but there has been a complete lack of contact from them and no confirmation of their arrival, the navy said. Context of Aid to the Island Cuba has relied heavily on aid convoys from Mexico over the past few weeks, as the nation struggles through repeated power outages across the country. "Both crews and captains are seasoned mariners, and both vessels are fitted with suitable navigational gear and signalling equipment," a spokesperson involved in the effort stated. The nine individuals on board are citizens of the United States, Cuba, France, and Poland. Mexican authorities said it has established contact with rescue coordination centers from those nations along with their diplomatic representatives. "We are working closely with the relevant authorities and remain confident in the capability of the sailors to safely arrive in Havana," the official further stated. Previous Relief Mission Earlier in the week, the government in Havana publicly celebrated and greeted with fanfare another boat that had transported 14 tonnes of relief supplies to the island. That boat, nicknamed "a new Granma" in reference to the boat in which the revolutionary leader returned to Cuba to start the revolution in the mid-20th century, delivered photovoltaic panels, pharmaceuticals, baby formula, bikes and provisions. Larger Geopolitical Context Volunteers and NGOs have primarily led efforts to ship humanitarian aid to Cuba starting at the turn of the year, a period which saw a oil sanctions on the country was initiated. The United Nations have since warned of "dire" lack of essential goods, with over fifty thousand surgeries cancelled in Cuba because of energy rationing. Political measures have increased lately, with remarks from several leaders emphasizing the delicate state of diplomatic ties. In response to certain comments, a senior government figure stated firmly that "the governance model of Cuba is not up for negotiation." Indications suggest that preliminary steps of talks commenced, although their ongoing development remains not publicly known. The maritime authorities affirmed it was committed to using all of the resources at its disposal to locate the sailboats and secure the well-being of the sailors. To date, there has been no official comment on the missing boats by the government in Havana.