Two boats filled with humanitarian supplies travelling from Mexico to Cuba have been located days after contact with them was lost in the Caribbean, according to the organisers.
The boats were found by the Mexican Navy, ensuring the safety of the crews, a spokesperson for the Nuestra America Convoy reported. However, the reasons for their disappearance remain unclear.
These vessels, named Friendship and Tigger Moth, form part of several ships aiming to deliver assistance to Cuba since the US enforced an oil blockade in January that led to significant fuel shortages on the island. They departed from Isla Mujeres in Quintana Roo, Mexico, on March 20 and were expected to arrive in Havana shortly.
Nine crew members from various countries, including Poland, France, Cuba, and the US, were aboard the boats. A spokesman for Nuestra America Convoy confirmed that the vessels will continue towards their destination.
The humanitarian mission is of utmost importance due to recent warnings from the UN about a severe supply crisis in Cuba, which has led to the cancellation of over 50,000 surgeries and widespread blackouts. The situation has also sparked rare civil unrest, with protests arising from the dire conditions.
Efforts to aid Cuba have largely been driven by volunteers and non-profit organizations since the US implemented sanctions affecting the island’s oil supply. Earlier this week, the Cuban government welcomed another ship, which successfully delivered 14 tonnes of aid.
Negotiations between Cuba and the US are ongoing, amidst assertions from US officials that changes in Cuba’s governmental structure are necessary for future relations.
