HAVANA, Cuba—Two humanitarian vessels previously reported missing en route to Cuba have successfully completed their journey, according to a Friday announcement from the US Coast Guard. The sailboats, which departed from Isla Mujeres in southeastern Mexico on March 20th carrying nine crew members, had prompted search operations after communication was lost during their transit.
The Mexican Navy initiated extensive search and rescue efforts Thursday upon losing contact with the vessels. While not directly participating in the mission, the US Coast Guard confirmed receiving notification at 10:36 AM local time (1436 GMT) that both boats had “safely transited to Cuba.”
These vessels form part of the international ‘Our America Convoy to Cuba’ initiative, which has delivered approximately 50 tonnes of critical supplies including medical equipment, food provisions, and solar panels. This humanitarian effort comes as Cuba faces severe energy shortages and economic challenges exacerbated by US sanctions.
Earlier this week, a converted fishing boat carrying additional aid arrived in Havana after encountering navigational delays caused by adverse weather conditions and technical issues. This vessel received partial escort assistance from the Mexican Navy during its journey.
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel had expressed concern about the missing boats, assuring that authorities were “doing everything possible” to support search operations. Organizers from the aid convoy had maintained confidence in the experienced crew’s capabilities, noting both vessels were equipped with appropriate safety and signaling systems.
The Mexican Navy had coordinated with rescue agencies from Poland, France, Cuba, and the United States during the search operation, which included aerial surveillance along the Isla Mujeres-Havana route.
In related developments, a Mexican Navy ship delivered 111 tonnes of food and donations to Havana on Friday, marking Mexico’s fourth aid shipment totaling over 3,000 tonnes. Notably, Mexico has not resumed oil deliveries to Cuba since the Trump administration imposed a de facto oil blockade in January following the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, whose government had been Cuba’s primary fuel source. The current US administration has further threatened tariffs on countries shipping oil to Cuba.
Cuba’s energy infrastructure has struggled significantly, experiencing seven nationwide blackouts since the beginning of 2024, including two major incidents last week alone.