🔗 Share this article Two Separate Cuba-Headed Relief Ships Reported Missing after Departing Mexican Waters. The vessels Friendship and Tigger Moth departed Isla Mujeres, Mexico on 20 March. A large-scale search and recovery effort is currently in progress in the Caribbean waters for a pair of missing sailing vessels carrying aid cargo journeying from the Mexican coast to Havana. Maritime Search Operations Deployed Mexico has deployed naval assets and military search aircraft to locate the Friendship and Tigger Moth, which were transporting no fewer than 9 sailors, according to a military release. The boats had been scheduled to arrive in Cuba's capital on Tuesday or Wednesday, but there has been radio silence from them and no confirmation of their safe arrival, the statement clarified. Context of Humanitarian Support to Cuba The Caribbean nation has relied heavily on aid convoys from Mexico over the last several weeks, as the country grapples with repeated nationwide blackouts. "Both crews and captains are experienced sailors, and both vessels are equipped with proper safety systems and emergency beacons," a spokesperson associated with the mission commented. The nine-person crew are citizens of Poland, France, Cuba and the US. Mexico said it has been in touch with maritime rescue coordination centres from those nations along with their diplomatic representatives. "We are working closely with the relevant authorities and continue to be hopeful in the ability of the crews to safely arrive in Havana," the statement continued. Previous Relief Shipment Just days before, the Cuban authorities warmly welcomed and officially received another boat that had transported 14 tons of relief supplies to the nation. That vessel, dubbed "a new Granma" after the vessel in which the revolutionary leader landed in Cuba to begin the armed struggle in the 1950s, carried solar equipment, medicines, baby formula, bikes and food. Wider Political Context Volunteers and NGOs have been at the forefront of attempts to ship critical assistance to Cuba starting at the turn of the year, a period which saw a energy blockade on the island nation came into effect. International organizations have since highlighted ""critical" supply shortages, with more than 50,000 surgical procedures postponed in Cuba due to energy rationing. Political measures have intensified in recent months, with comments from several leaders highlighting the complicated state of relations. Responding to previous comments, a high-ranking official from Cuba stated firmly that "the governance model of Cuba is not up for negotiation." Accounts suggest that preliminary steps of negotiations were initiated, although their present status remains unclear. The Mexican navy affirmed it was pledged to using all of the resources at its reach to locate the vessels and guarantee the well-being of the people on board. To date, there has been no official comment on the missing boats by the Cuban leadership.
The vessels Friendship and Tigger Moth departed Isla Mujeres, Mexico on 20 March. A large-scale search and recovery effort is currently in progress in the Caribbean waters for a pair of missing sailing vessels carrying aid cargo journeying from the Mexican coast to Havana. Maritime Search Operations Deployed Mexico has deployed naval assets and military search aircraft to locate the Friendship and Tigger Moth, which were transporting no fewer than 9 sailors, according to a military release. The boats had been scheduled to arrive in Cuba's capital on Tuesday or Wednesday, but there has been radio silence from them and no confirmation of their safe arrival, the statement clarified. Context of Humanitarian Support to Cuba The Caribbean nation has relied heavily on aid convoys from Mexico over the last several weeks, as the country grapples with repeated nationwide blackouts. "Both crews and captains are experienced sailors, and both vessels are equipped with proper safety systems and emergency beacons," a spokesperson associated with the mission commented. The nine-person crew are citizens of Poland, France, Cuba and the US. Mexico said it has been in touch with maritime rescue coordination centres from those nations along with their diplomatic representatives. "We are working closely with the relevant authorities and continue to be hopeful in the ability of the crews to safely arrive in Havana," the statement continued. Previous Relief Shipment Just days before, the Cuban authorities warmly welcomed and officially received another boat that had transported 14 tons of relief supplies to the nation. That vessel, dubbed "a new Granma" after the vessel in which the revolutionary leader landed in Cuba to begin the armed struggle in the 1950s, carried solar equipment, medicines, baby formula, bikes and food. Wider Political Context Volunteers and NGOs have been at the forefront of attempts to ship critical assistance to Cuba starting at the turn of the year, a period which saw a energy blockade on the island nation came into effect. International organizations have since highlighted ""critical" supply shortages, with more than 50,000 surgical procedures postponed in Cuba due to energy rationing. Political measures have intensified in recent months, with comments from several leaders highlighting the complicated state of relations. Responding to previous comments, a high-ranking official from Cuba stated firmly that "the governance model of Cuba is not up for negotiation." Accounts suggest that preliminary steps of negotiations were initiated, although their present status remains unclear. The Mexican navy affirmed it was pledged to using all of the resources at its reach to locate the vessels and guarantee the well-being of the people on board. To date, there has been no official comment on the missing boats by the Cuban leadership.