Two Separate Cuba-Headed Relief Sailboats Listed Missing after Leaving Mexican Waters.

A extensive search and recovery mission is presently under way in the Caribbean Sea for a duo of missing sailing vessels loaded with humanitarian supplies journeying from Mexico to Cuba.

Maritime Search and Rescue Operations Initiated

The Mexican government has dispatched navy personnel and reconnaissance aircraft to locate the Friendship and Tigger Moth, which were had on board at least 9 personnel, per a official statement.

The vessels had been scheduled to make landfall in 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.

Background of Aid to the Island

The Caribbean nation has relied heavily on Mexico's over recent weeks, as the nation endures multiple nationwide blackouts.

"The captains and crews are veteran seafarers, and each boat are equipped with appropriate safety systems and emergency beacons," a spokesperson involved in the effort commented.

The nine individuals on board are from Poland, France, Cuba and the US. Officials said it has opened communications with rescue coordination centers from the involved countries along with their diplomatic representatives.

"Our team is collaborating completely with the authorities and continue to be hopeful in the crews' ability to safely arrive in Havana," the official further stated.

Earlier Humanitarian Shipment

Earlier in the week, the government in Havana warmly welcomed and greeted with fanfare a different ship that had delivered 14 tonnes of humanitarian aid to the nation.

That ship, called "a new Granma" after the vessel in which Castro came back to Cuba to start the Cuban Revolution in the 1950s, carried solar equipment, pharmaceuticals, formula milk, cycles and foodstuffs.

Wider Political Backdrop

Volunteers and NGOs have primarily led attempts to bring critical assistance to Cuba starting at the turn of the year, a period which saw a fuel embargo on the Communist-run nation was initiated.

The United Nations have since raised alarms about ""critical" supply shortages, with over fifty thousand surgical procedures cancelled in Cuba due to power shortages.

Diplomatic measures have increased lately, with statements from various representatives emphasizing the delicate state of bilateral relations.

In response to previous statements, a high-ranking official from Cuba stated firmly that "the governance model of Cuba is not up for negotiation."

Reports suggest that preliminary steps of negotiations had begun, although their ongoing development remains not publicly known.

The naval forces stated it was pledged to using every available asset at its disposal to find the sailboats and guarantee the security of the people on board.

To date, there has been no official comment on the lost ships by the government in Havana.