🔗 Share this article A Pair of Cuba-Destined Aid Vessels Listed Lost subsequent to Departing Mexico. Both vessels Friendship and Tigger Moth departed Isla Mujeres, Mexico on March 20th. A large-scale rescue and recovery mission is presently in progress in the Caribbean region for a duo of missing sailing vessels carrying aid cargo en route from Mexico to Cuba. Maritime Search and Rescue Efforts Deployed The Mexican government has dispatched navy personnel and reconnaissance aircraft to find the missing boats, which were had on board a minimum of 9 crew members, per a navy statement. The ships had been projected to reach the Cuban capital on Tuesday or Wednesday, but there has been radio silence from them and no confirmation of their safe arrival, authorities reported. The Situation of Humanitarian Support to Cuba Cuba has leaned on Mexico's over recent weeks, as the nation grapples with widespread national electricity failures. "The captains and crews are experienced sailors, and the two ships are fitted with proper navigational gear and communication devices," an official associated with the mission stated. The nine individuals on board are citizens of Poland, France, Cuba and the US. Mexican authorities said it has opened communications with coast guard agencies from those nations along with their consular staff. "We are working closely with the officials and continue to be hopeful in the ability of the crews to make it to Cuba without incident," the spokesperson added. Previous Aid Mission Earlier in the week, the Cuban authorities warmly welcomed and greeted with fanfare another boat that had delivered a significant amount of relief supplies to the island. That vessel, dubbed "a new Granma" in reference to the yacht in which Castro landed in Cuba to start the Cuban Revolution in the 1950s, delivered solar panels, drugs, baby formula, bikes and provisions. Broader Geopolitical Climate Volunteers and NGOs have primarily led initiatives to deliver humanitarian aid to Cuba since January, coinciding with the time a oil sanctions on the Communist-run nation came into effect. Global bodies have since highlighted ""severe" supply shortages, with in excess of 50k surgical procedures cancelled in Cuba due to energy rationing. Diplomatic pressure have intensified in recent months, with statements from several leaders highlighting the delicate situation regarding bilateral relations. In response to certain statements, a high-ranking Cuban official declared that "the socialist system of Cuba is not up for negotiation." Reports suggest that preliminary steps of talks commenced, although their present status remains unclear. The maritime authorities said it was pledged to using the full extent of its capabilities at its command to locate the boats and ensure the security of the crews. To date, there has been no official comment on the disappeared vessels by the Cuban government.
Both vessels Friendship and Tigger Moth departed Isla Mujeres, Mexico on March 20th. A large-scale rescue and recovery mission is presently in progress in the Caribbean region for a duo of missing sailing vessels carrying aid cargo en route from Mexico to Cuba. Maritime Search and Rescue Efforts Deployed The Mexican government has dispatched navy personnel and reconnaissance aircraft to find the missing boats, which were had on board a minimum of 9 crew members, per a navy statement. The ships had been projected to reach the Cuban capital on Tuesday or Wednesday, but there has been radio silence from them and no confirmation of their safe arrival, authorities reported. The Situation of Humanitarian Support to Cuba Cuba has leaned on Mexico's over recent weeks, as the nation grapples with widespread national electricity failures. "The captains and crews are experienced sailors, and the two ships are fitted with proper navigational gear and communication devices," an official associated with the mission stated. The nine individuals on board are citizens of Poland, France, Cuba and the US. Mexican authorities said it has opened communications with coast guard agencies from those nations along with their consular staff. "We are working closely with the officials and continue to be hopeful in the ability of the crews to make it to Cuba without incident," the spokesperson added. Previous Aid Mission Earlier in the week, the Cuban authorities warmly welcomed and greeted with fanfare another boat that had delivered a significant amount of relief supplies to the island. That vessel, dubbed "a new Granma" in reference to the yacht in which Castro landed in Cuba to start the Cuban Revolution in the 1950s, delivered solar panels, drugs, baby formula, bikes and provisions. Broader Geopolitical Climate Volunteers and NGOs have primarily led initiatives to deliver humanitarian aid to Cuba since January, coinciding with the time a oil sanctions on the Communist-run nation came into effect. Global bodies have since highlighted ""severe" supply shortages, with in excess of 50k surgical procedures cancelled in Cuba due to energy rationing. Diplomatic pressure have intensified in recent months, with statements from several leaders highlighting the delicate situation regarding bilateral relations. In response to certain statements, a high-ranking Cuban official declared that "the socialist system of Cuba is not up for negotiation." Reports suggest that preliminary steps of talks commenced, although their present status remains unclear. The maritime authorities said it was pledged to using the full extent of its capabilities at its command to locate the boats and ensure the security of the crews. To date, there has been no official comment on the disappeared vessels by the Cuban government.