🔗 Share this article Two Cuba-bound Aid Vessels Declared Missing after Leaving Mexico. Both ships named Friendship and Tigger Moth left Quintana Roo on March 20th. A extensive search and rescue operation is presently ongoing in the Caribbean region for a pair of unlocated boats transporting humanitarian supplies en route from the Mexican coast to Havana. Military Rescue Missions Deployed Authorities in Mexico has sent navy personnel and military search aircraft to locate the Friendship and Tigger Moth, which were carrying a minimum of 9 personnel, as stated by a official statement. The boats had been scheduled to reach Cuba's capital on the early part of the week, but there has been radio silence from them and zero verification of their arrival, authorities reported. The Situation of Relief to the Nation The Caribbean nation has relied heavily on humanitarian shipments from Mexico over recent weeks, as the island grapples with widespread national electricity failures. "The skippers and their teams are seasoned mariners, and the two ships are outfitted with suitable navigational gear and communication devices," a representative for the convoy said. The nine crew members are nationals of France, Poland, the United States, and Cuba. Mexican authorities said it has been in touch with maritime rescue coordination centres from each country along with their consular staff. "We are collaborating completely with the officials and continue to be hopeful in the capability of the sailors to reach Havana safely," the official further stated. Previous Humanitarian Shipment Earlier in the week, the government in Havana widely celebrated and greeted with fanfare a separate vessel that had transported 14 tonnes of humanitarian aid to the island. That ship, dubbed "a modern Granma" following the name of the boat in which Fidel Castro landed in Cuba to start the armed struggle in the 1950s, delivered photovoltaic panels, pharmaceuticals, infant formula, bikes and provisions. Larger International Climate Non-governmental organizations and volunteers have been at the forefront of initiatives to bring humanitarian aid to Cuba starting at the turn of the year, when a energy blockade on the Communist-run nation began. Global bodies have since warned of ""severe" supply shortages, with more than 50k operations postponed in Cuba because of power shortages. Political tensions have increased lately, with statements from different leaders highlighting the complicated nature of relations. In response to recent proposals, a senior government figure stated firmly that "the governance model of Cuba is not subject to discussion." Reports suggest that preliminary steps of discussions had begun, although their present status remains unclear. The maritime authorities said it was dedicated to using all of the resources at its reach to discover the vessels and secure the security of the crews. To date, there has been no public statement on the missing boats by the government in Havana.
Both ships named Friendship and Tigger Moth left Quintana Roo on March 20th. A extensive search and rescue operation is presently ongoing in the Caribbean region for a pair of unlocated boats transporting humanitarian supplies en route from the Mexican coast to Havana. Military Rescue Missions Deployed Authorities in Mexico has sent navy personnel and military search aircraft to locate the Friendship and Tigger Moth, which were carrying a minimum of 9 personnel, as stated by a official statement. The boats had been scheduled to reach Cuba's capital on the early part of the week, but there has been radio silence from them and zero verification of their arrival, authorities reported. The Situation of Relief to the Nation The Caribbean nation has relied heavily on humanitarian shipments from Mexico over recent weeks, as the island grapples with widespread national electricity failures. "The skippers and their teams are seasoned mariners, and the two ships are outfitted with suitable navigational gear and communication devices," a representative for the convoy said. The nine crew members are nationals of France, Poland, the United States, and Cuba. Mexican authorities said it has been in touch with maritime rescue coordination centres from each country along with their consular staff. "We are collaborating completely with the officials and continue to be hopeful in the capability of the sailors to reach Havana safely," the official further stated. Previous Humanitarian Shipment Earlier in the week, the government in Havana widely celebrated and greeted with fanfare a separate vessel that had transported 14 tonnes of humanitarian aid to the island. That ship, dubbed "a modern Granma" following the name of the boat in which Fidel Castro landed in Cuba to start the armed struggle in the 1950s, delivered photovoltaic panels, pharmaceuticals, infant formula, bikes and provisions. Larger International Climate Non-governmental organizations and volunteers have been at the forefront of initiatives to bring humanitarian aid to Cuba starting at the turn of the year, when a energy blockade on the Communist-run nation began. Global bodies have since warned of ""severe" supply shortages, with more than 50k operations postponed in Cuba because of power shortages. Political tensions have increased lately, with statements from different leaders highlighting the complicated nature of relations. In response to recent proposals, a senior government figure stated firmly that "the governance model of Cuba is not subject to discussion." Reports suggest that preliminary steps of discussions had begun, although their present status remains unclear. The maritime authorities said it was dedicated to using all of the resources at its reach to discover the vessels and secure the security of the crews. To date, there has been no public statement on the missing boats by the government in Havana.