A Pair of Cuba-bound Relief Sailboats Listed Unaccounted For after Setting Sail from Mexico.

A extensive rescue and recovery mission is presently ongoing in the Caribbean waters for a pair of lost sailboats carrying aid cargo traveling from Mexico to Cuba.

Maritime Search and Rescue Operations Deployed

Mexico has dispatched navy personnel and reconnaissance aircraft to search for the two vessels, which were had on board a minimum of 9 crew members, according to a military release.

The ships had been projected to arrive in Havana on Tuesday or Wednesday, but there has been a complete lack of contact from them and zero verification of their docking, the navy said.

Background of Relief to Cuba

Cuba has depended significantly on humanitarian shipments from Mexico over the last several weeks, as the country struggles through widespread power outages across the country.

"The captains and crews are experienced sailors, and each boat are equipped with appropriate safety equipment and emergency beacons," a representative associated with the mission commented.

The nine individuals on board are citizens of the United States, Cuba, France, and Poland. Mexico said it has opened communications with rescue coordination centers from the involved countries along with their consular staff.

"Our team is collaborating completely with the authorities and remain confident in the capability of the sailors to safely arrive in Havana," the spokesperson added.

Earlier Humanitarian Shipment

Just days before, the Cuban authorities warmly welcomed and greeted with fanfare a different ship that had transported a significant amount of donated goods to the nation.

That ship, called "a new Granma" following the name of the yacht in which Castro came back to Cuba to start the Cuban Revolution in the 1950s, carried solar panels, pharmaceuticals, formula milk, bikes and food.

Wider Political Backdrop

Volunteers and NGOs have been at the forefront of initiatives to ship humanitarian aid to Cuba beginning in January, when a fuel embargo on the country came into effect.

The United Nations have since highlighted ""critical" supply shortages, with in excess of 50k surgical procedures cancelled in Cuba because of electricity supply constraints.

Diplomatic measures have increased over the past months, with comments from several officials emphasizing the complex nature of relations.

Responding to certain statements, a senior Cuban official declared that "the governance model of Cuba is not up for negotiation."

Reports suggest that initial phases of discussions were initiated, although their present status remains unclear.

The Mexican navy said it was pledged to using all of the resources at its reach to locate the sailboats and guarantee the well-being of the sailors.

To date, there has been no official comment on the missing boats by the Cuban leadership.