Two Separate Cuba-Headed Humanitarian Ships Listed Unaccounted For after Setting Sail from the Coast of Mexico.

A large-scale search and rescue effort is currently ongoing in the Caribbean Sea for a pair of unlocated boats carrying humanitarian supplies journeying from Mexico to the island of Cuba.

Military Search Efforts Deployed

Authorities in Mexico has sent naval assets and search planes to find the missing boats, which were had on board a minimum of nine crew members, per a military release.

The vessels had been projected to make landfall in the Cuban capital on Tuesday or Wednesday, but there has been no communication from them and no confirmation of their safe arrival, authorities reported.

Background of Aid to Cuba

The Caribbean nation has relied heavily on humanitarian shipments from Mexico over recent weeks, as the country struggles through multiple nationwide blackouts.

"The captains and crews are experienced sailors, and the two ships are outfitted with proper safety systems and signalling equipment," an official for the convoy said.

The nine crew members are nationals of the United States, Cuba, France, and Poland. Officials said it has opened communications with maritime rescue coordination centres from those nations along with their consular staff.

"The group is co-operating fully with the relevant authorities and continue to be hopeful in the ability of the crews to reach Havana safely," the statement continued.

Previous Aid Delivery

Earlier in the week, the Cuban government publicly celebrated and warmly received a different ship that had transported a significant amount of relief supplies to the island.

That ship, nicknamed "a modern Granma" after the vessel in which Castro landed in Cuba to begin the Cuban Revolution in the mid-20th century, brought solar equipment, pharmaceuticals, baby formula, bicycles and provisions.

Larger Political Climate

Charity groups and individuals have primarily led efforts to ship critical assistance to Cuba starting at the turn of the year, when a fuel embargo on the Communist-run nation was initiated.

The United Nations have since highlighted "dire" lack of essential goods, with in excess of 50k surgical procedures postponed in Cuba amid power shortages.

Political tensions have increased over the past months, with remarks from different officials highlighting the complicated nature of bilateral relations.

Responding to previous statements, a high-ranking official from Cuba declared that "the socialist system of Cuba is not subject to discussion."

Reports suggest that early stages of discussions were initiated, although their ongoing development remains unclear.

The Mexican navy stated it was committed to using every available asset at its disposal 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 Cuban leadership.