Two Separate Cuba-bound Humanitarian Sailboats Listed Lost after Departing the Coast of Mexico.

A extensive search and rescue mission is currently in progress in the Caribbean Sea for a pair of lost boats carrying humanitarian supplies traveling from Mexico to Havana.

Maritime Search Missions Deployed

The Mexican government has sent naval teams and reconnaissance aircraft to find the Friendship and Tigger Moth, which were had on board at least 9 crew members, as stated by a official statement.

The boats had been projected to arrive in Havana on Tuesday or Wednesday, but there has been a complete lack of contact from them and no confirmation of their docking, authorities reported.

Background of Aid to the Island

The Caribbean nation has leaned on humanitarian shipments from Mexico over the last several weeks, as the island grapples with widespread national electricity failures.

"The skippers and their teams are seasoned mariners, and the two ships are fitted with appropriate safety systems and signalling equipment," a spokesperson for the convoy stated.

The nine-person crew are nationals of France, Poland, the United States, and Cuba. Officials said it has established contact with coast guard agencies from each country along with their embassy officials.

"We are co-operating fully with the officials and are still optimistic in the crews' ability to make it to Cuba without incident," the official further stated.

Previous Humanitarian Shipment

Just days before, the government in Havana publicly celebrated and officially received a different ship that had transported a significant amount of humanitarian aid to the country.

That vessel, nicknamed "a new Granma" after the vessel in which Castro returned to Cuba to begin the Cuban Revolution in the mid-20th century, brought photovoltaic panels, pharmaceuticals, infant formula, cycles and provisions.

Larger International Backdrop

Charity groups and individuals have been at the forefront of efforts to deliver critical assistance to Cuba since January, coinciding with the time a energy blockade on the Communist-run nation was initiated.

The United Nations have since highlighted "dire" shortages of supplies, with over 50,000 operations called off in Cuba due to electricity supply constraints.

Political tensions have been ramped up lately, with statements from several officials underscoring the delicate nature of bilateral relations.

Responding to certain proposals, a prominent government figure insisted that "the political system of Cuba is non-negotiable."

Reports suggest that preliminary steps of talks commenced, although their present status remains unclear.

The naval forces stated it was pledged to using the full extent of its capabilities at its disposal to find the sailboats and guarantee the security of the people on board.

As of now, there has been no official comment on the missing boats by the Cuban government.