Nine People Missing on Aid Ships Bound for Cuba, President Voices Worry

Two sailboats carrying humanitarian supplies and nine people vanished while traveling from Mexico to Cuba last week. Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel has expressed deep concern as international search efforts continue across the Gulf of Mexico.

Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel voiced his worries Friday about two vanished sailboats transporting humanitarian supplies and nine individuals to the island nation.

Mexico’s naval forces announced Thursday evening they had launched search operations for the missing vessels, which set sail from Isla Mujeres in southern Mexico on March 20.

The boats’ disappearance occurs during a period when numerous nations and relief groups are delivering aid shipments to Cuba, as American fuel restrictions create devastating power outages and threaten to collapse the Caribbean country’s infrastructure.

“From our country, we are doing everything possible in the search and rescue of these brothers in struggle,” Díaz-Canel said.

Naval officials report no contact or verification that the ships reached Cuban shores, though they were anticipated to arrive sometime between Tuesday and Wednesday this week.

The relief organization Nuestra América Convoy announced Friday that considering the vessels’ reported speeds to Cuban maritime officials, the boats should reach Havana sometime between Friday and Saturday. The group issued a public appeal seeking any details or sightings of the missing craft.

Both ships carry seasoned mariners as captains and crew members, and each vessel contains proper safety systems and communication devices.

“We are cooperating fully with the authorities and remain confident in the crews’ ability to reach Havana safely,” the organization said in a statement.

An initial ship from Convoy Nuestra América successfully reached Havana on Tuesday, delivering 14 tons of food supplies and medications, 73 solar energy panels, and approximately twelve bicycles.

Mexican naval forces have notified maritime commands in Isla Mujeres and Yucalpetén, plus naval search and rescue stations as part of their response efforts. They’ve also coordinated with maritime rescue centers in Poland, France, Cuba and the United States, alongside diplomatic officials from the missing passengers’ home countries.

The rescue mission includes navy ships and Persuader aircraft conducting water and air search patterns along the projected path from Isla Mujeres to Havana. Operations factor in potential route deviations, current weather patterns, and regional ocean currents.