A Pair of Cuba-Destined Humanitarian Ships Listed Unaccounted For after Leaving Mexican Waters.

A extensive rescue and recovery effort is currently under way in the Caribbean region for two missing boats carrying humanitarian supplies en route from Mexico to Havana.

Military Search Missions Deployed

The Mexican government has sent naval assets and search planes to search for the two vessels, which were carrying at least 9 crew members, according to a military release.

The ships had been projected to reach Cuba's capital on either Tuesday or Wednesday, but there has been a complete lack of contact from them and zero verification of their safe arrival, the statement clarified.

Background of Humanitarian Support to Cuba

Cuba has depended significantly on humanitarian shipments from Mexico over the past few weeks, as the nation struggles through repeated nationwide blackouts.

"Both crews and captains are seasoned mariners, and both vessels are outfitted with suitable safety systems and communication devices," a spokesperson involved in the effort said.

The nine crew members are nationals of Poland, France, Cuba and the US. Mexico said it has opened communications with coast guard agencies from those nations along with their consular staff.

"The group is working closely with the officials and are still optimistic in the ability of the crews to safely arrive in Havana," the statement continued.

Previous Humanitarian Delivery

Previously that week, the government in Havana warmly welcomed and greeted with fanfare another boat that had transported 14 tons of donated goods to the country.

That boat, nicknamed "a new Granma" following the name of the yacht in which Castro came back to Cuba to launch the Cuban Revolution in the mid-20th century, brought photovoltaic panels, medicines, infant formula, bicycles and food.

Larger International Context

Non-governmental organizations and volunteers have primarily led initiatives to bring essential supplies to Cuba beginning in January, when a fuel embargo on the country began.

International organizations have since raised alarms about "dire" lack of essential goods, with over 50,000 surgeries cancelled in Cuba because of electricity supply constraints.

Foreign policy pressure have been ramped up over the past months, with statements from various officials highlighting the complex nature of relations.

In response to certain statements, a high-ranking official from Cuba insisted that "the governance model of Cuba is non-negotiable."

Indications suggest that preliminary steps of talks had begun, although their present status remains unclear.

The maritime authorities said it was dedicated to using every available asset at its reach to find the vessels and ensure the safety of the crews.

To date, there has been no public statement on the disappeared vessels by the Cuban government.