Two Separate Cuba-bound Humanitarian Ships Declared Missing after Setting Sail from Mexico.

A extensive search and rescue effort is presently in progress in the Caribbean region for a pair of missing sailing vessels transporting humanitarian supplies traveling from the Mexican coast to Cuba.

Maritime Rescue Missions Deployed

Authorities in Mexico has deployed naval assets and search planes to locate the Friendship and Tigger Moth, which were carrying no fewer than nine total crew members, per a navy statement.

The boats had been expected to arrive in the Cuban capital on the early part of the week, but there has been no communication from them and no confirmation of their arrival, authorities reported.

The Situation of Aid to the Island

The Caribbean nation has leaned on aid convoys from Mexico over recent weeks, as the island endures multiple nationwide blackouts.

"The captains and crews are experienced sailors, and each boat are equipped with suitable safety systems and signalling equipment," a representative for the convoy commented.

The nine crew members are from Poland, France, Cuba and the US. Mexican authorities said it has been in touch with coast guard agencies from each country along with their diplomatic representatives.

"The group is working closely with the officials and continue to be hopeful in the ability of the crews to reach Havana safely," the official further stated.

Recent Aid Mission

Previously that week, the Cuban authorities publicly celebrated and officially received a separate vessel that had carried 14 tons of relief supplies to the country.

That ship, nicknamed "Granma 2.0" following the name of the yacht in which the revolutionary leader returned to Cuba to launch the Cuban Revolution in the 1950s, delivered photovoltaic panels, drugs, formula milk, bikes and foodstuffs.

Wider International Climate

Non-governmental organizations and volunteers have largely spearheaded initiatives to ship essential supplies to Cuba beginning in January, a period which saw a fuel embargo on the Communist-run nation came into effect.

The United Nations have since highlighted ""critical" lack of essential goods, with more than 50,000 surgeries cancelled in Cuba because of electricity supply constraints.

Diplomatic measures have intensified over the past months, with remarks from several representatives highlighting the complicated situation regarding bilateral relations.

Reacting to certain statements, a senior official from Cuba insisted that "the political system of Cuba is non-negotiable."

Reports suggest that preliminary steps of talks were initiated, although their current progress remains uncertain.

The Mexican navy said it was committed to using all of the resources at its command to locate the boats and guarantee the security of the crews.

As of now, there has been no official comment on the disappeared vessels by the government in Havana.