🔗 Share this article Two Separate Cuba-Destined Relief Sailboats Declared Lost after Setting Sail from Mexican Waters. The vessels Friendship and Tigger Moth set off from Mexico on 20 March. A comprehensive rescue and recovery effort is currently ongoing in the Caribbean waters for a duo of lost boats carrying aid cargo en route from the Mexican coast to Havana. Military Rescue Missions Launched Mexico has deployed naval assets and military search aircraft to search for the missing boats, which were had on board at least nine total crew members, according to a official statement. The vessels had been expected to arrive in Havana on the early part of the week, but there has been radio silence from them and no confirmation of their docking, the statement clarified. Background of Relief to Cuba The Caribbean nation has leaned on humanitarian shipments from Mexico over recent weeks, as the nation struggles through widespread power outages across the country. "Both captains and crews are veteran seafarers, and both vessels are fitted with suitable navigational gear and communication devices," a spokesperson for the convoy stated. The nine crew members 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. "Our team is co-operating fully with the officials and remain confident in the capability of the sailors to safely arrive in Havana," the statement continued. Previous Aid Delivery Earlier in the week, the Cuban government publicly celebrated and warmly received another boat that had delivered 14 tonnes of relief supplies to the nation. That vessel, dubbed "Granma 2.0" after the vessel in which Fidel Castro returned to Cuba to start the Cuban Revolution in the mid-20th century, delivered solar equipment, pharmaceuticals, formula milk, bikes and food. Larger International Climate Volunteers and NGOs have largely spearheaded initiatives to deliver critical assistance to Cuba beginning in January, when a oil sanctions on the country began. The United Nations have since highlighted ""severe" shortages of supplies, with in excess of 50k surgical procedures called off in Cuba due to electricity supply constraints. Political tensions have intensified in recent months, with comments from various officials emphasizing the complex state of bilateral relations. Responding to recent proposals, a senior government figure declared that "the socialist system of Cuba is not up for negotiation." Reports suggest that initial phases of negotiations commenced, although their present status remains unclear. The maritime authorities affirmed it was committed to using every available asset at its reach to locate the vessels and guarantee the well-being of the crews. To date, there has been no official comment on the disappeared vessels by the Cuban government.
The vessels Friendship and Tigger Moth set off from Mexico on 20 March. A comprehensive rescue and recovery effort is currently ongoing in the Caribbean waters for a duo of lost boats carrying aid cargo en route from the Mexican coast to Havana. Military Rescue Missions Launched Mexico has deployed naval assets and military search aircraft to search for the missing boats, which were had on board at least nine total crew members, according to a official statement. The vessels had been expected to arrive in Havana on the early part of the week, but there has been radio silence from them and no confirmation of their docking, the statement clarified. Background of Relief to Cuba The Caribbean nation has leaned on humanitarian shipments from Mexico over recent weeks, as the nation struggles through widespread power outages across the country. "Both captains and crews are veteran seafarers, and both vessels are fitted with suitable navigational gear and communication devices," a spokesperson for the convoy stated. The nine crew members 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. "Our team is co-operating fully with the officials and remain confident in the capability of the sailors to safely arrive in Havana," the statement continued. Previous Aid Delivery Earlier in the week, the Cuban government publicly celebrated and warmly received another boat that had delivered 14 tonnes of relief supplies to the nation. That vessel, dubbed "Granma 2.0" after the vessel in which Fidel Castro returned to Cuba to start the Cuban Revolution in the mid-20th century, delivered solar equipment, pharmaceuticals, formula milk, bikes and food. Larger International Climate Volunteers and NGOs have largely spearheaded initiatives to deliver critical assistance to Cuba beginning in January, when a oil sanctions on the country began. The United Nations have since highlighted ""severe" shortages of supplies, with in excess of 50k surgical procedures called off in Cuba due to electricity supply constraints. Political tensions have intensified in recent months, with comments from various officials emphasizing the complex state of bilateral relations. Responding to recent proposals, a senior government figure declared that "the socialist system of Cuba is not up for negotiation." Reports suggest that initial phases of negotiations commenced, although their present status remains unclear. The maritime authorities affirmed it was committed to using every available asset at its reach to locate the vessels and guarantee the well-being of the crews. To date, there has been no official comment on the disappeared vessels by the Cuban government.