Two humanitarian aid boats heading to Cuba have gone missing, Mexico says

Two Humanitarian Aid Boats Missing en Route to Cuba, Mexico Reports

Authorities in Mexico have launched a search-and-rescue mission in the Caribbean Sea to track down two sailboats carrying supplies for Cuba, following their failure to reach Havana as planned. The boats departed from Isla Mujeres, a small island near the Yucatán Peninsula in Quintana Roo, last week with nine individuals from diverse backgrounds aboard. The navy stated that the vessels were expected to arrive in Havana by March 24 to 25, but no updates or confirmations have been received since then.

The missing boats are part of a regional initiative to support Cuba’s struggling energy infrastructure, which has been severely impacted by extended power cuts and a worsening economic situation. This comes amid tightened U.S. sanctions on oil and other goods, exacerbating the island’s challenges. Meanwhile, one of the convoy’s ships successfully reached Havana on Tuesday, delivering essential resources to the country.

Volunteers in Mexico had prepared the vessels with items such as rice, baby wipes, beans, infant formula, medications, and energy-related materials as part of the “Nuestra America Convoy,” an independent effort to aid the Cuban population. The convoy’s team emphasized the professionalism of the crew and the boats’ safety features in a statement to Reuters.

“We are working closely with the authorities and trust in the crews’ expertise to navigate the journey safely,” a representative of the convoy told Reuters.

Mexican naval officials also reached out to maritime coordination centers in Poland, France, Cuba, and the United States, along with embassies of the countries represented among the passengers. The search continues as officials seek to locate the two missing vessels and ensure the safety of those onboard.