🔗 Share this article Two Separate Cuba-Destined Humanitarian Vessels Listed Unaccounted For following Leaving Mexico. The vessels Friendship and Tigger Moth set off from Mexico on March 20th. A comprehensive search and rescue effort is actively under way in the Caribbean Sea for a duo of unlocated sailing vessels carrying relief goods traveling from Mexico to Cuba. Military Search Operations Deployed Authorities in Mexico has dispatched naval teams and search planes to search for the two vessels, which were transporting no fewer than 9 personnel, according to a navy statement. The boats had been expected to make landfall in Cuba's capital on either Tuesday or Wednesday, but there has been no communication from them and no confirmation of their arrival, the statement clarified. Context of Relief to the Island The Caribbean nation has leaned on aid convoys from Mexico over the past few weeks, as the country endures repeated national electricity failures. "Both crews and captains are seasoned mariners, and the two ships are equipped with appropriate safety equipment and communication devices," an official involved in the effort said. The nine-person crew are from the United States, Cuba, France, and Poland. Officials said it has established contact with rescue coordination centers from those nations along with their diplomatic representatives. "We are working closely with the authorities and remain confident in the ability of the crews to reach Havana safely," the official further stated. Previous Relief Mission Just days before, the government in Havana publicly celebrated and officially received another boat that had transported 14 tonnes of donated goods to the country. That ship, called "a modern Granma" in reference to the yacht in which Castro returned to Cuba to launch the armed struggle in the 1950s, brought solar equipment, medicines, formula milk, cycles and provisions. Broader International Climate Volunteers and NGOs have largely spearheaded efforts to bring essential supplies to Cuba beginning in January, when a oil sanctions on the country was initiated. Global bodies have since warned of "dire" supply shortages, with more than 50,000 operations postponed in Cuba amid electricity supply constraints. Political measures have increased lately, with statements from several representatives highlighting the delicate nature of relations. In response to previous comments, a prominent Cuban official declared that "the governance model of Cuba is not up for negotiation." Indications suggest that early stages of negotiations were initiated, although their current progress remains unclear. The naval forces said it was committed to using the full extent of its capabilities at its disposal to discover the boats and ensure the security of the people on board. As of now, there has been silence on the disappeared vessels by the Cuban leadership.
The vessels Friendship and Tigger Moth set off from Mexico on March 20th. A comprehensive search and rescue effort is actively under way in the Caribbean Sea for a duo of unlocated sailing vessels carrying relief goods traveling from Mexico to Cuba. Military Search Operations Deployed Authorities in Mexico has dispatched naval teams and search planes to search for the two vessels, which were transporting no fewer than 9 personnel, according to a navy statement. The boats had been expected to make landfall in Cuba's capital on either Tuesday or Wednesday, but there has been no communication from them and no confirmation of their arrival, the statement clarified. Context of Relief to the Island The Caribbean nation has leaned on aid convoys from Mexico over the past few weeks, as the country endures repeated national electricity failures. "Both crews and captains are seasoned mariners, and the two ships are equipped with appropriate safety equipment and communication devices," an official involved in the effort said. The nine-person crew are from the United States, Cuba, France, and Poland. Officials said it has established contact with rescue coordination centers from those nations along with their diplomatic representatives. "We are working closely with the authorities and remain confident in the ability of the crews to reach Havana safely," the official further stated. Previous Relief Mission Just days before, the government in Havana publicly celebrated and officially received another boat that had transported 14 tonnes of donated goods to the country. That ship, called "a modern Granma" in reference to the yacht in which Castro returned to Cuba to launch the armed struggle in the 1950s, brought solar equipment, medicines, formula milk, cycles and provisions. Broader International Climate Volunteers and NGOs have largely spearheaded efforts to bring essential supplies to Cuba beginning in January, when a oil sanctions on the country was initiated. Global bodies have since warned of "dire" supply shortages, with more than 50,000 operations postponed in Cuba amid electricity supply constraints. Political measures have increased lately, with statements from several representatives highlighting the delicate nature of relations. In response to previous comments, a prominent Cuban official declared that "the governance model of Cuba is not up for negotiation." Indications suggest that early stages of negotiations were initiated, although their current progress remains unclear. The naval forces said it was committed to using the full extent of its capabilities at its disposal to discover the boats and ensure the security of the people on board. As of now, there has been silence on the disappeared vessels by the Cuban leadership.