Two Cuba-Headed Humanitarian Sailboats Declared Lost following Departing the Coast of Mexico.

A extensive search and rescue operation is currently under way in the Caribbean region for two missing boats loaded with aid cargo traveling from the Mexican coast to Cuba.

Naval Search Efforts Launched

Authorities in Mexico has dispatched naval assets and search planes to search for the Friendship and Tigger Moth, which were had on board at least nine total sailors, according to a military release.

The vessels had been projected to arrive in Havana on Tuesday or Wednesday, but there has been a complete lack of contact from them and no official word of their docking, the statement clarified.

Background of Aid to Cuba

Cuba has relied heavily on Mexico's over the past few weeks, as the island struggles through repeated nationwide blackouts.

"The captains and crews are experienced sailors, and the two ships are fitted with appropriate navigational gear and signalling equipment," a representative involved in the effort stated.

The nine-person crew are citizens of France, Poland, the United States, and Cuba. Mexico said it has been in touch with coast guard agencies from those nations along with their diplomatic representatives.

"We are co-operating fully with the authorities and remain confident in the ability of the crews to safely arrive in Havana," the spokesperson added.

Previous Humanitarian Delivery

Just days before, the Cuban authorities widely celebrated and warmly received another boat that had delivered 14 tonnes of donated goods to the country.

That boat, called "a new Granma" following the name of the vessel in which Fidel Castro landed in Cuba to begin the revolution in the 1950s, carried photovoltaic panels, pharmaceuticals, infant formula, bikes and provisions.

Wider Geopolitical Context

Charity groups and individuals have primarily led attempts to deliver humanitarian aid to Cuba beginning in January, when a energy blockade on the country came into effect.

International organizations have since warned of ""severe" supply shortages, with in excess of fifty thousand surgical procedures cancelled in Cuba amid energy rationing.

Political pressure have been ramped up in recent months, with remarks from different leaders highlighting the complex situation regarding bilateral relations.

In response to previous comments, a prominent official from Cuba declared that "the socialist system of Cuba is non-negotiable."

Accounts suggest that early stages of talks had begun, although their present status remains not publicly known.

The maritime authorities stated it was committed to using the full extent of its capabilities at its reach to discover the sailboats and ensure the well-being of the sailors.

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