Two Cuba-Headed Relief Sailboats Listed Missing subsequent to Departing Mexico.

A large-scale search and recovery effort is actively under way in the Caribbean region for two unlocated sailboats transporting humanitarian supplies journeying from Mexico to Havana.

Naval Search and Rescue Operations Deployed

The Mexican government has sent navy personnel and reconnaissance aircraft to find the Friendship and Tigger Moth, which were transporting no fewer than nine total crew members, according to a official statement.

The vessels had been projected to make landfall in Cuba's capital on either Tuesday or Wednesday, but there has been radio silence from them and no official word of their docking, authorities reported.

Context of Aid to the Island

The Caribbean nation has leaned on Mexico's over the past few weeks, as the country endures repeated nationwide blackouts.

"The captains and crews are seasoned mariners, and each boat are outfitted with appropriate safety equipment and communication devices," a representative for the convoy commented.

The nine crew members are citizens of Poland, France, Cuba and the US. Mexican authorities said it has been in touch with rescue coordination centers from those nations along with their consular staff.

"The group is working closely with the officials and remain confident in the capability of the sailors to reach Havana safely," the statement continued.

Recent Relief Delivery

Just days before, the government in Havana widely celebrated and greeted with fanfare a different ship that had transported 14 tons of relief supplies to the island.

That vessel, dubbed "a modern Granma" following the name of the yacht in which Castro landed in Cuba to launch the revolution in the 1950s, delivered solar equipment, pharmaceuticals, baby formula, bicycles and food.

Larger Political Context

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

International organizations have since highlighted ""severe" shortages of supplies, with in excess of 50,000 surgical procedures called off in Cuba due to electricity supply constraints.

Political pressure have been ramped up lately, with statements from several leaders underscoring the complicated nature of diplomatic ties.

In response to recent proposals, a senior government figure stated firmly that "the governance model of Cuba is not up for negotiation."

Reports suggest that early stages of negotiations had begun, although their present status remains not publicly known.

The naval forces said it was committed to using every available asset at its disposal to discover the boats and ensure the security of the crews.

At this time, there has been no public statement on the lost ships by the government in Havana.