A Pair of Cuba-Headed Aid Ships Reported Unaccounted For after Setting Sail from Mexico.

A extensive search and recovery mission is actively under way in the Caribbean Sea for a pair of unlocated sailboats carrying relief goods journeying from the Mexican coast to Cuba.

Military Search Operations Initiated

Authorities in Mexico has deployed naval teams and search planes to find the missing boats, which were had on board at least nine sailors, per a military release.

The ships had been projected to reach the Cuban capital on the early part of the week, but there has been radio silence from them and zero verification of their safe arrival, authorities reported.

Background of Aid to the Island

Cuba has relied heavily on aid convoys from Mexico over the last several weeks, as the island struggles through widespread power outages across the country.

"Both skippers and their teams are experienced sailors, and both vessels are fitted with proper safety equipment and communication devices," a representative for the convoy said.

The nine crew members are citizens of Poland, France, Cuba and the US. Officials said it has established contact with coast guard agencies from those nations along with their consular staff.

"We are working closely with the relevant authorities and are still optimistic in the capability of the sailors to make it to Cuba without incident," the statement continued.

Earlier Relief Delivery

Previously that week, the government in Havana warmly welcomed and warmly received a separate vessel that had carried 14 tons of donated goods to the country.

That vessel, dubbed "a new Granma" after the yacht in which the revolutionary leader returned to Cuba to begin the Cuban Revolution in the 1950s, delivered solar equipment, medicines, infant formula, cycles and provisions.

Wider International Climate

Charity groups and individuals have largely spearheaded efforts to deliver critical assistance to Cuba since January, a period which saw a fuel embargo on the Communist-run nation came into effect.

Global bodies have since highlighted ""critical" shortages of supplies, with in excess of 50,000 surgeries cancelled in Cuba due to electricity supply constraints.

Foreign policy tensions have increased lately, with comments from several officials underscoring the complex nature of bilateral relations.

Reacting to recent comments, a senior official from Cuba insisted that "the political system of Cuba is not up for negotiation."

Accounts suggest that preliminary steps of negotiations had begun, although their current progress remains not publicly known.

The Mexican navy said it was pledged to using every available asset at its disposal to locate the sailboats and guarantee the well-being of the sailors.

At this time, there has been silence on the disappeared vessels by the government in Havana.