Mexico’s navy announced on Thursday the initiation of a search-and-rescue mission in the Caribbean to locate two sailboats carrying humanitarian assistance to Cuba, which did not arrive in Havana as planned. The navy stated that the two vessels departed from Isla Mujeres in Quintana Roo, Mexico, with a total of nine crew members from various nationalities on board. Despite the expected arrival window between Tuesday and Wednesday, there has been no contact or confirmation of their whereabouts.
These missing boats are part of a wider grassroots aid campaign for Cuba, a nation facing severe energy shortages and economic challenges exacerbated by increased U.S. restrictions on oil and other supplies. An additional ship from the convoy successfully reached Havana earlier in the week.
In Mexico, volunteers packed essential items such as rice, baby supplies, medicine, and more onto the boats as part of the “Nuestra America Convoy,” an independent initiative aiming to deliver vital goods to Cuba. The convoy spokesperson assured that the captains and crews are experienced and well-equipped for safety, expressing confidence in their ability to reach Havana safely.
Mexican authorities have reached out to maritime rescue centers in several countries, including Poland, France, Cuba, and the United States, as well as the diplomatic missions of the crew members’ respective nations.