🔗 Share this article Two Separate Cuba-Destined Humanitarian Ships Listed Missing subsequent to Departing Mexican Waters. The Friendship and Tigger Moth left Quintana Roo on 20 March. A comprehensive rescue and recovery operation is actively ongoing in the Caribbean waters for two unlocated sailing vessels loaded with relief goods journeying from the Mexican coast to Havana. Naval Rescue Missions Initiated Authorities in Mexico has sent navy personnel and reconnaissance aircraft to find the two vessels, which were transporting no fewer than nine crew members, as stated by a navy statement. The ships had been expected to reach Havana on either Tuesday or Wednesday, but there has been radio silence from them and no confirmation of their arrival, the statement clarified. Background of Humanitarian Support to the Island The Caribbean nation has leaned on humanitarian shipments from Mexico over recent weeks, as the country endures multiple power outages across the country. "The crews and captains are experienced sailors, and both vessels are equipped with proper safety equipment and communication devices," a representative involved in the effort commented. The nine crew members are from Poland, France, Cuba and the US. Officials said it has established contact with maritime rescue coordination centres from those nations along with their consular staff. "Our team is co-operating fully with the authorities and continue to be hopeful in the ability of the crews to make it to Cuba without incident," the statement continued. Earlier Humanitarian Delivery Just days before, the Cuban government warmly welcomed and greeted with fanfare a different ship that had carried 14 tons of relief supplies to the nation. That boat, nicknamed "Granma 2.0" after the yacht in which the revolutionary leader came back to Cuba to start the Cuban Revolution in the 1950s, delivered photovoltaic panels, pharmaceuticals, formula milk, bikes and provisions. Broader International Context Volunteers and NGOs have largely spearheaded efforts to ship critical assistance to Cuba beginning in January, coinciding with the time a oil sanctions on the island nation came into effect. Global bodies have since highlighted ""severe" lack of essential goods, with more than 50k surgical procedures called off in Cuba due to power shortages. Diplomatic measures have been ramped up in recent months, with comments from several leaders emphasizing the complicated situation regarding diplomatic ties. In response to certain statements, a senior official from Cuba declared that "the governance model of Cuba is not up for negotiation." Reports suggest that initial phases of negotiations were initiated, although their ongoing development remains unclear. The naval forces stated it was dedicated to using the full extent of its capabilities at its disposal to locate the sailboats and guarantee the safety of the crews. At this time, there has been no official comment on the lost ships by the government in Havana.
The Friendship and Tigger Moth left Quintana Roo on 20 March. A comprehensive rescue and recovery operation is actively ongoing in the Caribbean waters for two unlocated sailing vessels loaded with relief goods journeying from the Mexican coast to Havana. Naval Rescue Missions Initiated Authorities in Mexico has sent navy personnel and reconnaissance aircraft to find the two vessels, which were transporting no fewer than nine crew members, as stated by a navy statement. The ships had been expected to reach Havana on either Tuesday or Wednesday, but there has been radio silence from them and no confirmation of their arrival, the statement clarified. Background of Humanitarian Support to the Island The Caribbean nation has leaned on humanitarian shipments from Mexico over recent weeks, as the country endures multiple power outages across the country. "The crews and captains are experienced sailors, and both vessels are equipped with proper safety equipment and communication devices," a representative involved in the effort commented. The nine crew members are from Poland, France, Cuba and the US. Officials said it has established contact with maritime rescue coordination centres from those nations along with their consular staff. "Our team is co-operating fully with the authorities and continue to be hopeful in the ability of the crews to make it to Cuba without incident," the statement continued. Earlier Humanitarian Delivery Just days before, the Cuban government warmly welcomed and greeted with fanfare a different ship that had carried 14 tons of relief supplies to the nation. That boat, nicknamed "Granma 2.0" after the yacht in which the revolutionary leader came back to Cuba to start the Cuban Revolution in the 1950s, delivered photovoltaic panels, pharmaceuticals, formula milk, bikes and provisions. Broader International Context Volunteers and NGOs have largely spearheaded efforts to ship critical assistance to Cuba beginning in January, coinciding with the time a oil sanctions on the island nation came into effect. Global bodies have since highlighted ""severe" lack of essential goods, with more than 50k surgical procedures called off in Cuba due to power shortages. Diplomatic measures have been ramped up in recent months, with comments from several leaders emphasizing the complicated situation regarding diplomatic ties. In response to certain statements, a senior official from Cuba declared that "the governance model of Cuba is not up for negotiation." Reports suggest that initial phases of negotiations were initiated, although their ongoing development remains unclear. The naval forces stated it was dedicated to using the full extent of its capabilities at its disposal to locate the sailboats and guarantee the safety of the crews. At this time, there has been no official comment on the lost ships by the government in Havana.