A Pair of Cuba-bound Relief Sailboats Declared Lost following Setting Sail from Mexico.

A extensive search and rescue effort is actively ongoing in the Caribbean Sea for a pair of lost sailboats loaded with humanitarian supplies journeying from Mexico to the island of Cuba.

Military Search and Rescue Operations Deployed

Authorities in Mexico has deployed naval teams and military search aircraft to locate the Friendship and Tigger Moth, which were had on board at least nine total sailors, according to a military release.

The vessels had been projected to reach the Cuban capital on Tuesday or Wednesday, but there has been radio silence from them and no official word of their docking, authorities reported.

Background of Aid to the Island

The island nation has depended significantly on aid convoys from Mexico over recent weeks, as the island struggles through widespread power outages across the country.

"The skippers and their teams are veteran seafarers, and the two ships are outfitted with proper safety equipment and emergency beacons," a representative for the convoy said.

The nine crew members are nationals of France, Poland, the United States, and Cuba. Officials said it has opened communications with maritime rescue coordination centres from the involved countries along with their embassy officials.

"The group is collaborating completely with the officials and continue to be hopeful in the crews' ability to reach Havana safely," the spokesperson added.

Earlier Aid Delivery

Previously that week, the Cuban authorities warmly welcomed and warmly received another boat that had delivered 14 tons of donated goods to the island.

That ship, called "Granma 2.0" in reference to the boat in which the revolutionary leader returned to Cuba to start the revolution in the 1950s, carried photovoltaic panels, pharmaceuticals, infant formula, bikes and provisions.

Larger International Context

Non-governmental organizations and volunteers have been at the forefront of attempts to ship critical assistance to Cuba starting at the turn of the year, when a fuel embargo on the country was initiated.

Global bodies have since highlighted ""critical" shortages of supplies, with more than 50k surgeries postponed in Cuba because of electricity supply constraints.

Diplomatic measures have been ramped up in recent months, with comments from various leaders highlighting the delicate nature of bilateral relations.

Responding to previous comments, a high-ranking Cuban official stated firmly that "the political system of Cuba is not up for negotiation."

Reports suggest that early stages of discussions were initiated, although their current progress remains unclear.

The naval forces stated it was dedicated to using the full extent of its capabilities at its command to find the sailboats and secure the well-being of the sailors.

As of now, there has been no public statement on the missing boats by the Cuban leadership.