A large-scale search and recovery operation is presently ongoing in the Caribbean waters for two lost sailboats carrying aid cargo en route from Mexico to Havana.
Authorities in Mexico has dispatched naval teams and military search aircraft to locate the two vessels, which were carrying no fewer than nine sailors, per a official statement.
The vessels had been scheduled to arrive in the Cuban capital on Tuesday or Wednesday, but there has been a complete lack of contact from them and no confirmation of their safe arrival, the navy said.
The Caribbean nation has leaned on aid convoys from Mexico over the last several weeks, as the country struggles through widespread power outages across the country.
"The crews and captains are seasoned mariners, and the two ships are equipped with proper safety equipment and emergency beacons," an official associated with the mission said.
The nine individuals on board are citizens of France, Poland, the United States, and Cuba. Officials said it has opened communications with coast guard agencies from those nations along with their consular staff.
"The group is working closely with the authorities and remain confident in the capability of the sailors to reach Havana safely," the official further stated.
Previously that week, the Cuban authorities publicly celebrated and officially received a separate vessel that had carried 14 tonnes of donated goods to the island.
That vessel, called "a modern Granma" in reference to the vessel in which Castro landed in Cuba to launch the Cuban Revolution in the 1950s, carried photovoltaic panels, pharmaceuticals, baby formula, bikes and foodstuffs.
Charity groups and individuals have largely spearheaded efforts to deliver critical assistance to Cuba starting at the turn of the year, coinciding with the time a energy blockade on the island nation began.
Global bodies have since highlighted ""severe" lack of essential goods, with in excess of 50,000 surgical procedures called off in Cuba because of electricity supply constraints.
Political measures have been ramped up over the past months, with remarks from several officials underscoring the complicated state of diplomatic ties.
In response to certain comments, a high-ranking government figure insisted that "the governance model of Cuba is not up for negotiation."
Reports suggest that initial phases of talks had begun, although their ongoing development remains uncertain.
The maritime authorities affirmed it was pledged to using the full extent of its capabilities at its command to find the sailboats and ensure the safety of the people on board.
At this time, there has been no official comment on the disappeared vessels by the Cuban leadership.
