Missing Humanitarian Aid Ships from Mexico to Cuba
On Thursday, Mexico’s Naval Secretariat announced that two sailing vessels carrying humanitarian supplies to Cuba did not reach Havana as planned and are now considered lost at sea.
The Secretariat released a statement confirming the start of a search and rescue operation for the two yachts and nine individuals on board, who hail from various countries. The missing list includes two women, six men, and a three-year-old child.
These two sailboats were part of the Nuestra América initiative, which aims to show support for Cuba’s communist government, led by an array of international left-wing figures. The aid comes at a particularly challenging time for the regime, especially following the arrest of deposed Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro on January 3, who has been wanted by U.S. authorities on several drug-terrorism charges.
According to the Secretariat, the vessels departed from Isla Mujeres in Quintana Roo on March 20, with an expected arrival in Cuba between March 24 and 25. As of March 26, there has been no communication or evidence they made it.
The Nuestra América convoy stated its mission was to provide humanitarian assistance, countering President Trump’s remarks about the impact of his policies on Cuba. Organizers seem reluctant to hold the Castro regime accountable, despite its history of severe human rights violations over the past 67 years.
Mexican authorities are reaching out to both national and international maritime organizations in the Caribbean and Gulf of America, urging them to report any sightings of the missing ships. Collaboration is ongoing with the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centers in Poland, France, Cuba, and the United States, as well as relevant diplomatic missions in Mexico, where the missing crew originated.
The effort follows international search and rescue procedures, with a clear emphasis on prioritizing human life at sea. The Secretariat reiterated its commitment to utilizing all available resources in the search for the vessels and ensuring the safety of those on board.
Cuba’s leader, Miguel Díaz-Canel, expressed via social media that the nation would exhaust all efforts to find and rescue “our brave compatriots.”
A spokesperson for the Nuestra América fleet conveyed that the captain and crew are seasoned sailors, emphasizing the presence of appropriate safety measures aboard the vessels. They expressed confidence in the safe arrival of the crew in Havana.
While the convoy claims to deliver humanitarian aid, some have criticized the international leftist group that visited Cuba recently, which held a concert just before a nationwide power outage. The luxury accommodations of most attendees remained unaffected. Additional controversy arose from a video showing some members encouraging Cuban children to dance for food, drawing backlash from dissidents in Cuba and the broader Cuban community abroad.
