🔗 Share this article A Pair of Cuba-Headed Humanitarian Sailboats Declared Lost subsequent to Setting Sail from the Coast of Mexico. The vessels Friendship and Tigger Moth set off from Quintana Roo on 20 March. A comprehensive rescue and recovery mission is actively in progress in the Caribbean region for two lost sailing vessels carrying aid cargo traveling from the Mexican coast to Havana. Maritime Search Missions Initiated Mexico has sent navy personnel and search planes to locate the two vessels, which were transporting a minimum of 9 sailors, per a military release. The ships had been expected to arrive in Cuba's capital on either Tuesday or Wednesday, but there has been no communication from them and no official word of their safe arrival, the navy said. The Situation of Aid to Cuba Cuba has depended significantly on aid convoys from Mexico over the last several weeks, as the country endures widespread power outages across the country. "Both crews and captains are experienced sailors, and both vessels are fitted with appropriate navigational gear and communication devices," an official for the convoy commented. The nine-person crew are nationals of Poland, France, Cuba and the US. Mexico said it has established contact with coast guard agencies from each country along with their embassy officials. "Our team is co-operating fully with the officials and continue to be hopeful in the ability of the crews to reach Havana safely," the official further stated. Previous Aid Mission Earlier in the week, the Cuban government warmly welcomed and greeted with fanfare a different ship that had transported 14 tons of relief supplies to the nation. That ship, called "a modern Granma" following the name of the vessel in which the revolutionary leader landed in Cuba to start the revolution in the 1950s, delivered solar panels, pharmaceuticals, infant formula, bicycles and provisions. Broader Political Context Volunteers and NGOs have largely spearheaded efforts to deliver essential supplies to Cuba starting at the turn of the year, coinciding with the time a oil sanctions on the country began. The United Nations have since highlighted ""critical" lack of essential goods, with in excess of 50,000 surgical procedures postponed in Cuba due to electricity supply constraints. Political measures have increased in recent months, with remarks from different representatives underscoring the complicated nature of relations. In response to recent statements, a senior official from Cuba stated firmly that "the political system of Cuba is non-negotiable." Indications suggest that preliminary steps of discussions commenced, although their current progress remains not publicly known. The Mexican navy stated it was pledged to using the full extent of its capabilities at its command to locate the boats and secure the well-being of the crews. To date, there has been no official comment on the lost ships by the Cuban government.
The vessels Friendship and Tigger Moth set off from Quintana Roo on 20 March. A comprehensive rescue and recovery mission is actively in progress in the Caribbean region for two lost sailing vessels carrying aid cargo traveling from the Mexican coast to Havana. Maritime Search Missions Initiated Mexico has sent navy personnel and search planes to locate the two vessels, which were transporting a minimum of 9 sailors, per a military release. The ships had been expected to arrive in Cuba's capital on either Tuesday or Wednesday, but there has been no communication from them and no official word of their safe arrival, the navy said. The Situation of Aid to Cuba Cuba has depended significantly on aid convoys from Mexico over the last several weeks, as the country endures widespread power outages across the country. "Both crews and captains are experienced sailors, and both vessels are fitted with appropriate navigational gear and communication devices," an official for the convoy commented. The nine-person crew are nationals of Poland, France, Cuba and the US. Mexico said it has established contact with coast guard agencies from each country along with their embassy officials. "Our team is co-operating fully with the officials and continue to be hopeful in the ability of the crews to reach Havana safely," the official further stated. Previous Aid Mission Earlier in the week, the Cuban government warmly welcomed and greeted with fanfare a different ship that had transported 14 tons of relief supplies to the nation. That ship, called "a modern Granma" following the name of the vessel in which the revolutionary leader landed in Cuba to start the revolution in the 1950s, delivered solar panels, pharmaceuticals, infant formula, bicycles and provisions. Broader Political Context Volunteers and NGOs have largely spearheaded efforts to deliver essential supplies to Cuba starting at the turn of the year, coinciding with the time a oil sanctions on the country began. The United Nations have since highlighted ""critical" lack of essential goods, with in excess of 50,000 surgical procedures postponed in Cuba due to electricity supply constraints. Political measures have increased in recent months, with remarks from different representatives underscoring the complicated nature of relations. In response to recent statements, a senior official from Cuba stated firmly that "the political system of Cuba is non-negotiable." Indications suggest that preliminary steps of discussions commenced, although their current progress remains not publicly known. The Mexican navy stated it was pledged to using the full extent of its capabilities at its command to locate the boats and secure the well-being of the crews. To date, there has been no official comment on the lost ships by the Cuban government.