Two Cuba-Headed Aid Sailboats Declared Unaccounted For after Leaving the Coast of Mexico.

A extensive search and recovery operation is presently ongoing in the Caribbean Sea for a duo of lost sailboats transporting relief goods en route from Mexico to Cuba.

Military Rescue Missions Launched

The Mexican government has sent naval teams and search planes to find the Friendship and Tigger Moth, which were had on board a minimum of nine crew members, according to a official statement.

The boats had been projected to reach the Cuban capital on the early part of the week, but there has been radio silence from them and no confirmation of their arrival, authorities reported.

Background of Relief to the Nation

The island nation has leaned on aid convoys from Mexico over the last several weeks, as the country grapples with widespread national electricity failures.

"Both crews and captains are veteran seafarers, and each boat are outfitted with proper navigational gear and communication devices," a representative involved in the effort said.

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

"The group is working closely with the authorities and remain confident in the capability of the sailors to reach Havana safely," the spokesperson added.

Previous Aid Delivery

Previously that week, the government in Havana publicly celebrated and warmly received a different ship that had carried 14 tons of humanitarian aid to the nation.

That boat, nicknamed "a new Granma" in reference to the vessel in which the revolutionary leader returned to Cuba to begin the revolution in the 1950s, carried photovoltaic panels, medicines, infant formula, bicycles and foodstuffs.

Larger Political Context

Charity groups and individuals have been at the forefront of initiatives to ship essential supplies to Cuba starting at the turn of the year, coinciding with the time a energy blockade on the country was initiated.

International organizations have since warned of "dire" shortages of supplies, with more than 50k operations postponed in Cuba amid energy rationing.

Political measures have increased lately, with comments from different representatives underscoring the complex nature of relations.

Reacting to recent comments, a senior government figure insisted that "the governance model of Cuba is not up for negotiation."

Accounts suggest that early stages of negotiations commenced, although their ongoing development remains uncertain.

The Mexican navy said it was pledged to using all of the resources at its command to find the boats and guarantee the well-being of the crews.

At this time, there has been no official comment on the lost ships by the Cuban government.