Two Cuba-Destined Aid Vessels Reported Unaccounted For following Departing Mexico.

A large-scale search and rescue mission is currently ongoing in the Caribbean Sea for a duo of missing boats carrying humanitarian supplies en route from Mexico to Cuba.

Military Search and Rescue Operations Initiated

Authorities in Mexico has deployed naval assets and military search aircraft to search for the two vessels, which were transporting no fewer than nine crew members, according to a navy statement.

The vessels had been expected to reach the Cuban capital on Tuesday or Wednesday, but there has been a complete lack of contact from them and no official word of their arrival, the navy said.

Context of Aid to the Island

The Caribbean nation has depended significantly on humanitarian shipments from Mexico over the last several weeks, as the island struggles through multiple national electricity failures.

"The captains and crews are experienced sailors, and each boat are equipped with appropriate safety equipment and communication devices," a representative involved in the effort stated.

The nine individuals on board are citizens of the United States, Cuba, France, and Poland. Mexico said it has opened communications with coast guard agencies from those nations along with their diplomatic representatives.

"The group is collaborating completely with the relevant authorities and remain confident in the crews' ability to make it to Cuba without incident," the official further stated.

Previous Aid Delivery

Previously that week, the government in Havana widely celebrated and officially received a different ship that had transported a significant amount of humanitarian aid to the nation.

That vessel, called "a new Granma" after the vessel in which the revolutionary leader landed in Cuba to launch the revolution in the 1950s, carried solar equipment, drugs, formula milk, cycles and food.

Larger Political Context

Volunteers and NGOs have primarily led efforts to deliver humanitarian aid to Cuba since January, when a oil sanctions on the island nation came into effect.

The United Nations have since highlighted "dire" lack of essential goods, with over 50,000 surgeries cancelled in Cuba because of energy rationing.

Political pressure have increased lately, with statements from different officials underscoring the complex state of diplomatic ties.

Responding to previous proposals, a high-ranking government figure insisted that "the political system of Cuba is not up for negotiation."

Indications suggest that preliminary steps of discussions were initiated, although their present status remains not publicly known.

The naval forces affirmed it was dedicated to using all of the resources at its disposal to locate the boats and ensure the well-being of the crews.

At this time, there has been silence on the missing boats by the government in Havana.