A extensive rescue and recovery operation is currently under way in the Caribbean region for two lost boats loaded with humanitarian supplies journeying from the Mexican coast to the island of Cuba.
The Mexican government has sent naval assets and reconnaissance aircraft to find the Friendship and Tigger Moth, which were had on board a minimum of 9 personnel, as stated by a official statement.
The vessels had been expected to reach the Cuban capital on the early part of the week, but there has been radio silence from them and zero verification of their safe arrival, authorities reported.
The island nation has depended significantly on humanitarian shipments from Mexico over recent weeks, as the nation endures multiple national electricity failures.
"The skippers and their teams are seasoned mariners, and the two ships are fitted with appropriate safety equipment and signalling equipment," an official associated with the mission commented.
The nine-person crew are nationals of Poland, France, Cuba and the US. Mexico said it has established contact with rescue coordination centers from those nations along with their diplomatic representatives.
"We are working closely with the officials and are still optimistic in the ability of the crews to make it to Cuba without incident," the spokesperson added.
Just days before, the Cuban government widely celebrated and warmly received another boat that had transported a significant amount of humanitarian aid to the country.
That vessel, dubbed "Granma 2.0" after the yacht in which Castro came back to Cuba to begin the Cuban Revolution in the 1950s, brought solar panels, drugs, formula milk, bikes and foodstuffs.
Non-governmental organizations and volunteers have been at the forefront of efforts to deliver essential supplies to Cuba beginning in January, when a energy blockade on the country was initiated.
Global bodies have since highlighted ""critical" shortages of supplies, with more than fifty thousand surgeries postponed in Cuba amid energy rationing.
Diplomatic pressure have intensified over the past months, with statements from different officials emphasizing the complicated situation regarding bilateral relations.
Responding to recent comments, a high-ranking Cuban official declared that "the governance model of Cuba is not subject to discussion."
Reports suggest that initial phases of negotiations were initiated, although their present status remains uncertain.
The Mexican navy said it was pledged to using every available asset at its disposal to locate the boats and secure the security of the people on board.
At this time, there has been no official comment on the lost ships by the Cuban government.
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