A comprehensive rescue and recovery operation is actively in progress in the Caribbean waters for a pair of missing sailing vessels loaded with relief goods journeying from Mexico to Cuba.
Mexico has deployed naval teams and search planes to find the two vessels, which were had on board a minimum of 9 crew members, per a official statement.
The ships had been scheduled to arrive in the Cuban capital on Tuesday or Wednesday, but there has been no communication from them and zero verification of their arrival, the statement clarified.
Cuba has leaned on Mexico's over the past few weeks, as the country endures multiple power outages across the country.
"The skippers and their teams are veteran seafarers, and each boat are fitted with proper navigational gear and emergency beacons," a spokesperson for the convoy commented.
The nine crew members are citizens of Poland, France, Cuba and the US. Officials said it has established contact with maritime rescue coordination centres from each country along with their diplomatic representatives.
"Our team is collaborating completely with the authorities and are still optimistic in the capability of the sailors to safely arrive in Havana," the official further stated.
Previously that week, the government in Havana warmly welcomed and warmly received a different ship that had delivered a significant amount of humanitarian aid to the nation.
That ship, dubbed "a modern Granma" following the name of the vessel in which Castro came back to Cuba to begin the armed struggle in the mid-20th century, brought solar panels, drugs, infant formula, bicycles and food.
Non-governmental organizations and volunteers have been at the forefront of efforts to ship critical assistance to Cuba beginning in January, when a energy blockade on the country began.
Global bodies have since highlighted "dire" shortages of supplies, with in excess of 50k operations called off in Cuba amid power shortages.
Political tensions have been ramped up in recent months, with remarks from different representatives highlighting the complex nature of diplomatic ties.
Reacting to recent comments, a prominent Cuban official insisted that "the socialist system of Cuba is not subject to discussion."
Accounts suggest that initial phases of discussions commenced, although their current progress remains not publicly known.
The maritime authorities affirmed it was dedicated to using the full extent of its capabilities at its command to find the vessels and secure the safety of the crews.
As of now, there has been silence on the disappeared vessels by the Cuban leadership.
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