Mexico has launched a search and rescue operation for two sailing ships that disappeared at sea while attempting to deliver food, medicine and other aid to Cuba.
The ship had nine people on board and was scheduled to deliver humanitarian aid to the island nation this week as part of a large sea convoy. The U.S. oil blockade aimed at putting pressure on the Cuban government has pushed the country further into crisis, including food shortages and days-long power outages.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said on Friday that a Mexican navy ship made contact with the convoy, but “after a few hours they lost contact and from there a search operation began. They continue to search for these two small vessels.”
Mexico’s Naval Secretariat (SEMAR) announced that the sailing ship left Isla Mujeres off the coast of Cancun on Saturday. They were scheduled to arrive in Havana a few days earlier.
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel expressed concern about X, writing: “Our country is doing everything possible to search for and rescue our brothers in arms.”
The missing crew members are believed to be from Poland, France, Cuba and the United States.
The U.S. Coast Guard said it received a report of a missing vessel from Mexico on Thursday, but no rescue was called for. “We remain vigilant and stand ready to provide assistance if requested,” the Coast Guard told CNN.
Flotilla organizer Nuestra America announced Friday that the missing vessel’s captain and crew were experienced sailors. “Both ships are equipped with appropriate safety systems and signaling equipment. We are cooperating fully with the authorities and remain confident that the crew will reach Havana safely.”
search and rescue operations
Mexico is sending Persuader aircraft specialized in maritime patrol to search along the ship’s estimated route between Isla Mujeres and Havana.
SEMAR said the overall search and rescue operation involved the navy, surveillance aircraft and the broader maritime community. It is also in contact with “polish, French, Cuban and American shipping agents and the Maritime Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC), as well as the diplomatic missions of the countries of origin of the people on board.”
CNN has contacted Cuba’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs for further information.
The ship was originally scheduled to arrive in Cuba between March 24 and 25, the Mexican Navy said.
However, a Nuestra América spokesperson said the arrival window was updated between Friday night and midday Saturday based on “vessel speeds reported to Cuban maritime authorities.”
Mexican authorities are asking other vessels in the area, including fishing boats and recreational vehicles, to report any sightings of the missing vessel.
“We join the Mexican Navy’s call for any information or sightings regarding the vessel,” Nuestra América said.
The two sailboats were the last two ships of the Mexican delegation in the Nuestra America convoy, which was carrying humanitarian aid to Cuba. The packed convoy was carrying around 30 tons of aid, including food, medicine, hygiene products and solar panels.
Cuba has suffered a severe economic blow since the United States effectively cut off oil supplies earlier this year, depriving its aging power grid of its main fuel source.
On Sunday, the island experienced its second nationwide power outage in less than a week, with the power grid “totally severed” and more than 10 million people without power.
