A Pair of Cuba-Destined Relief Ships Reported Lost following Departing Mexico.

A extensive search and rescue operation is presently under way in the Caribbean region for a pair of unlocated sailing vessels carrying humanitarian supplies traveling from Mexico to the island of Cuba.

Military Rescue Efforts Initiated

Authorities in Mexico has sent navy personnel and military search aircraft to find the missing boats, which were carrying at least nine total crew members, per a military release.

The boats had been scheduled to make landfall in the Cuban capital on either Tuesday or Wednesday, but there has been radio silence from them and zero verification of their safe arrival, the statement clarified.

Background of Humanitarian Support to Cuba

The Caribbean nation has leaned on aid convoys from Mexico over the past few weeks, as the island struggles through repeated power outages across the country.

"The captains and crews are veteran seafarers, and the two ships are outfitted with proper safety equipment and communication devices," a representative associated with the mission commented.

The nine individuals on board are citizens of Poland, France, Cuba and the US. Mexican authorities said it has established contact with rescue coordination centers from the involved countries along with their embassy officials.

"The group is collaborating completely with the officials and are still optimistic in the ability of the crews to reach Havana safely," the official further stated.

Previous Humanitarian Delivery

Just days before, the Cuban authorities widely celebrated and officially received a separate vessel that had carried 14 tons of relief supplies to the nation.

That vessel, dubbed "a modern Granma" after the yacht in which the revolutionary leader came back to Cuba to start the Cuban Revolution in the 1950s, brought solar panels, pharmaceuticals, formula milk, bicycles and food.

Wider International Backdrop

Volunteers and NGOs have primarily led attempts to ship humanitarian aid to Cuba since January, a period which saw a oil sanctions on the island nation came into effect.

The United Nations have since warned of ""critical" lack of essential goods, with over 50,000 surgeries called off in Cuba amid electricity supply constraints.

Diplomatic measures have increased over the past months, with remarks from various officials emphasizing the complicated state of relations.

In response to recent proposals, a senior official from Cuba insisted that "the political system of Cuba is non-negotiable."

Indications suggest that early stages of negotiations had begun, although their present status remains unclear.

The Mexican navy affirmed it was committed to using the full extent of its capabilities at its disposal to find the sailboats and secure the well-being of the sailors.

As of now, there has been silence on the missing boats by the Cuban government.