In brief
The Friendship and Tigger Moth, which departed Mexico with humanitarian aid, were located by the Mexican Navy after days of silence. Crew members from multiple countries are safe, and the vessels continue their journey to Havana. This incident underscores the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Cuba exacerbated by the US oil blockade.
Two boats filled with humanitarian supplies traveling from Mexico to Cuba have been located days after contact with them was lost in the Caribbean, organizers say.
The boats were located by the Mexican Navy and the crews are safe, a spokesman for the Nuestra America Convoy confirmed.
However, reasons for the boats - the Friendship and Tigger Moth - disappearing remain unclear.
The vessels are among several that have sought to carry supplies to Cuba since the US imposed an oil blockade in January, causing a significant fuel shortage across the island nation.
The Mexican Navy has not provided details on how it located the boats, which had departed Isla Mujeres on March 20 and were expected to arrive in Havana by Monday or Tuesday.
Currently, there are nine crew members on board from various countries, including Poland, France, Cuba, and the US. The spokesman indicated that the vessels are continuing their journey toward the Cuban capital, Havana, aiming to deliver urgently needed humanitarian aid to the Cuban people.
Since the US President Donald Trump's oil embargo began, volunteers and non-governmental organizations have taken the lead in efforts to deliver aid to Cuba amid dire supply shortages. The UN has recently warned that the situation in Cuba is critical, leading to canceled surgeries and nationwide blackouts.
This crisis has also seen burgeoning public dissent, resulting in rare street protests over the ongoing shortages of food, medicine, and essential services.
In earlier developments, another boat was celebrated by the Cuban government for delivering 14 tons of humanitarian aid, further highlighting the desperate needs of the population.
Cuban authorities are currently in discussions with the US to find ways to resolve tensions, with assurances that their political system awaits no negotiation. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that efforts are required from Cuba to alter its governance for improved relations.
