A comprehensive search and recovery operation is presently under way in the Caribbean waters for a pair of lost boats carrying humanitarian supplies traveling from Mexico to Cuba.
The Mexican government has dispatched naval teams and reconnaissance aircraft to locate the missing boats, which were transporting a minimum of 9 personnel, per a navy statement.
The boats had been expected to make landfall in the Cuban capital on the early part of the week, but there has been a complete lack of contact from them and no confirmation of their docking, the statement clarified.
Cuba has relied heavily on Mexico's over recent weeks, as the nation grapples with repeated nationwide blackouts.
"Both crews and captains are seasoned mariners, and the two ships are fitted with proper safety systems and communication devices," a spokesperson involved in the effort said.
The nine-person crew are from France, Poland, the United States, and Cuba. Mexico said it has opened communications with coast guard agencies from the involved countries along with their consular staff.
"We are working closely with the relevant authorities and continue to be hopeful in the crews' ability to make it to Cuba without incident," the spokesperson added.
Previously that week, the Cuban government warmly welcomed and warmly received another boat that had carried 14 tons of donated goods to the country.
That ship, nicknamed "a modern Granma" following the name of the boat in which the revolutionary leader landed in Cuba to begin the revolution in the 1950s, delivered photovoltaic panels, drugs, baby formula, bicycles and foodstuffs.
Charity groups and individuals have largely spearheaded initiatives to deliver critical assistance to Cuba starting at the turn of the year, when a fuel embargo on the country was initiated.
The United Nations have since warned of "dire" lack of essential goods, with in excess of 50,000 surgeries cancelled in Cuba amid energy rationing.
Diplomatic measures have been ramped up over the past months, with comments from several representatives underscoring the delicate situation regarding diplomatic ties.
Reacting to recent statements, a prominent Cuban official declared that "the socialist system of Cuba is not subject to discussion."
Accounts suggest that early stages of discussions had begun, although their current progress remains not publicly known.
The Mexican navy stated it was committed to using every available asset at its disposal to locate the boats and secure the safety of the sailors.
To date, there has been no public statement on the missing boats by the Cuban leadership.
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