Two Separate Cuba-Headed Humanitarian Vessels Reported Lost after Setting Sail from Mexico.

A extensive rescue and recovery operation is currently under way in the Caribbean Sea for a duo of lost sailing vessels carrying humanitarian supplies en route from Mexico to Havana.

Naval Rescue Operations Deployed

Authorities in Mexico has deployed navy personnel and reconnaissance aircraft to find the Friendship and Tigger Moth, which were carrying no fewer than 9 sailors, as stated by a official statement.

The vessels had been scheduled to reach Cuba's capital on either Tuesday or Wednesday, but there has been a complete lack of contact from them and zero verification of their safe arrival, the navy said.

Background of Relief to the Island

The Caribbean nation has relied heavily on aid convoys from Mexico over the past few weeks, as the country grapples with repeated national electricity failures.

"The skippers and their teams are seasoned mariners, and each boat are outfitted with appropriate navigational gear and signalling equipment," an official for the convoy commented.

The nine crew members are nationals of France, Poland, the United States, and Cuba. Officials said it has established contact with coast guard agencies from each country along with their consular staff.

"We are co-operating fully with the officials and remain confident in the capability of the sailors to safely arrive in Havana," the official further stated.

Recent Humanitarian Mission

Earlier in the week, the Cuban government widely celebrated and greeted with fanfare another boat that had transported 14 tons of humanitarian aid to the island.

That boat, nicknamed "a modern Granma" after the yacht in which Fidel Castro landed in Cuba to begin the armed struggle in the mid-20th century, delivered solar equipment, pharmaceuticals, formula milk, bicycles and food.

Larger Geopolitical Backdrop

Volunteers and NGOs have been at the forefront of efforts to ship essential supplies to Cuba since January, a period which saw a energy blockade on the Communist-run nation came into effect.

The United Nations have since raised alarms about ""severe" lack of essential goods, with more than 50,000 surgeries called off in Cuba due to power shortages.

Political pressure have been ramped up in recent months, with statements from several officials underscoring the complicated nature of diplomatic ties.

In response to previous statements, a high-ranking Cuban official insisted that "the political system of Cuba is not up for negotiation."

Indications suggest that preliminary steps of talks had begun, although their present status remains unclear.

The maritime authorities stated it was pledged to using all of the resources at its disposal to find the vessels and secure the security of the crews.

At this time, there has been no public statement on the lost ships by the Cuban government.