A Pair of Cuba-Headed Humanitarian Vessels Reported Missing after Setting Sail from Mexico.

A large-scale rescue and recovery effort is currently under way in the Caribbean Sea for a pair of missing boats loaded with relief goods journeying from Mexico to Cuba.

Naval Search Efforts Initiated

Mexico has sent naval assets and search planes to find the Friendship and Tigger Moth, which were transporting a minimum of nine sailors, according to a military release.

The vessels had been scheduled to reach the Cuban capital on Tuesday or Wednesday, but there has been radio silence from them and no confirmation of their arrival, the statement clarified.

The Situation of Humanitarian Support to Cuba

The Caribbean nation has leaned on humanitarian shipments from Mexico over the last several weeks, as the country struggles through multiple power outages across the country.

"Both crews and captains are seasoned mariners, and each boat are fitted with appropriate navigational gear and emergency beacons," a representative associated with the mission said.

The nine crew members are citizens of France, Poland, the United States, and Cuba. Mexico said it has opened communications with maritime rescue coordination centres from the involved countries along with their consular staff.

"We are co-operating fully with the relevant authorities and remain confident in the ability of the crews to make it to Cuba without incident," the statement continued.

Earlier Aid Mission

Just days before, the Cuban authorities warmly welcomed and officially received a different ship that had carried 14 tonnes of donated goods to the island.

That boat, called "a modern Granma" in reference to the vessel in which Castro came back to Cuba to start the Cuban Revolution in the mid-20th century, carried solar equipment, pharmaceuticals, formula milk, cycles and food.

Larger International Backdrop

Volunteers and NGOs have largely spearheaded efforts to deliver essential supplies to Cuba since January, coinciding with the time a energy blockade on the Communist-run nation began.

International organizations have since warned of ""severe" lack of essential goods, with more than 50k operations called off in Cuba amid power shortages.

Foreign policy pressure have been ramped up in recent months, with statements from several officials underscoring the complex situation regarding relations.

Responding to previous statements, a high-ranking official from Cuba insisted that "the governance model of Cuba is not subject to discussion."

Indications suggest that initial phases of negotiations were initiated, although their current progress remains not publicly known.

The maritime authorities stated it was committed to using the full extent of its capabilities at its disposal to find the vessels and guarantee the security of the crews.

To date, there has been silence on the lost ships by the Cuban leadership.