🔗 Share this article Two Separate Cuba-bound Relief Vessels Listed Lost following Setting Sail from Mexico. The ships named Friendship and Tigger Moth set off from Quintana Roo on 20 March. A extensive search and recovery operation is actively in progress in the Caribbean waters for a duo of lost sailing vessels loaded with relief goods journeying from Mexico to Havana. Maritime Search and Rescue Missions Deployed Authorities in Mexico has dispatched naval teams and search planes to find the two vessels, which were had on board no fewer than 9 personnel, per a military release. The boats had been expected to reach the Cuban capital on Tuesday or Wednesday, but there has been a complete lack of contact from them and zero verification of their arrival, the navy said. Background of Humanitarian Support to the Nation Cuba has relied heavily on humanitarian shipments from Mexico over the past few weeks, as the country grapples with repeated national electricity failures. "The captains and crews are experienced sailors, and both vessels are equipped with suitable safety systems and signalling equipment," a representative for the convoy commented. The nine crew members are citizens of Poland, France, Cuba and the US. Mexico said it has opened communications with coast guard agencies from those nations along with their diplomatic representatives. "The group is co-operating fully with the relevant authorities and continue to be hopeful in the capability of the sailors to safely arrive in Havana," the statement continued. Earlier Aid Delivery Earlier in the week, the government in Havana warmly welcomed and greeted with fanfare a different ship that had delivered a significant amount of donated goods to the nation. That boat, nicknamed "a modern Granma" following the name of the yacht in which Castro landed in Cuba to launch the revolution in the 1950s, carried solar panels, drugs, baby formula, bicycles and provisions. Larger Political Backdrop Non-governmental organizations and volunteers have been at the forefront of attempts to bring critical assistance to Cuba beginning in January, when a fuel embargo on the Communist-run nation began. International organizations have since highlighted "dire" shortages of supplies, with more than 50k surgeries cancelled in Cuba amid energy rationing. Foreign policy pressure have been ramped up in recent months, with statements from several leaders underscoring the complicated situation regarding relations. In response to certain statements, a high-ranking government figure stated firmly that "the political system of Cuba is not subject to discussion." Reports suggest that early stages of negotiations commenced, although their ongoing development remains unclear. The maritime authorities stated it was pledged to using every available asset at its command to discover the sailboats and guarantee the well-being of the people on board. To date, there has been silence on the disappeared vessels by the government in Havana.
The ships named Friendship and Tigger Moth set off from Quintana Roo on 20 March. A extensive search and recovery operation is actively in progress in the Caribbean waters for a duo of lost sailing vessels loaded with relief goods journeying from Mexico to Havana. Maritime Search and Rescue Missions Deployed Authorities in Mexico has dispatched naval teams and search planes to find the two vessels, which were had on board no fewer than 9 personnel, per a military release. The boats had been expected to reach the Cuban capital on Tuesday or Wednesday, but there has been a complete lack of contact from them and zero verification of their arrival, the navy said. Background of Humanitarian Support to the Nation Cuba has relied heavily on humanitarian shipments from Mexico over the past few weeks, as the country grapples with repeated national electricity failures. "The captains and crews are experienced sailors, and both vessels are equipped with suitable safety systems and signalling equipment," a representative for the convoy commented. The nine crew members are citizens of Poland, France, Cuba and the US. Mexico said it has opened communications with coast guard agencies from those nations along with their diplomatic representatives. "The group is co-operating fully with the relevant authorities and continue to be hopeful in the capability of the sailors to safely arrive in Havana," the statement continued. Earlier Aid Delivery Earlier in the week, the government in Havana warmly welcomed and greeted with fanfare a different ship that had delivered a significant amount of donated goods to the nation. That boat, nicknamed "a modern Granma" following the name of the yacht in which Castro landed in Cuba to launch the revolution in the 1950s, carried solar panels, drugs, baby formula, bicycles and provisions. Larger Political Backdrop Non-governmental organizations and volunteers have been at the forefront of attempts to bring critical assistance to Cuba beginning in January, when a fuel embargo on the Communist-run nation began. International organizations have since highlighted "dire" shortages of supplies, with more than 50k surgeries cancelled in Cuba amid energy rationing. Foreign policy pressure have been ramped up in recent months, with statements from several leaders underscoring the complicated situation regarding relations. In response to certain statements, a high-ranking government figure stated firmly that "the political system of Cuba is not subject to discussion." Reports suggest that early stages of negotiations commenced, although their ongoing development remains unclear. The maritime authorities stated it was pledged to using every available asset at its command to discover the sailboats and guarantee the well-being of the people on board. To date, there has been silence on the disappeared vessels by the government in Havana.