Two Cuba-Headed Relief Ships Reported Unaccounted For following Departing Mexican Waters.

A comprehensive rescue and recovery mission is presently ongoing in the Caribbean Sea for two unlocated sailing vessels loaded with humanitarian supplies journeying from Mexico to Cuba.

Naval Search and Rescue Operations Launched

Mexico has deployed navy personnel and search planes to find the two vessels, which were had on board at least 9 sailors, per a navy statement.

The vessels had been projected to arrive in Havana on either Tuesday or Wednesday, but there has been radio silence from them and no official word of their docking, authorities reported.

Background of Aid to the Island

Cuba has depended significantly on humanitarian shipments from Mexico over the last several weeks, as the country endures widespread power outages across the country.

"Both crews and captains are seasoned mariners, and each boat are equipped with appropriate safety equipment and communication devices," a representative for the convoy stated.

The nine crew members are nationals of Poland, France, Cuba and the US. Mexican authorities said it has opened communications with maritime rescue coordination centres from the involved countries along with their embassy officials.

"The group is collaborating completely with the officials and continue to be hopeful in the capability of the sailors to reach Havana safely," the statement continued.

Previous Humanitarian Mission

Earlier in the week, the government in Havana widely celebrated and officially received another boat that had delivered 14 tons of relief supplies to the island.

That vessel, dubbed "a modern Granma" following the name of the yacht in which the revolutionary leader returned to Cuba to start the Cuban Revolution in the 1950s, delivered solar equipment, medicines, formula milk, bicycles and provisions.

Broader Political Backdrop

Charity groups and individuals have primarily led efforts to deliver essential supplies to Cuba since January, coinciding with the time a fuel embargo on the Communist-run nation was initiated.

The United Nations have since warned of ""critical" lack of essential goods, with more than 50k surgeries postponed in Cuba due to power shortages.

Diplomatic measures have been ramped up over the past months, with comments from several representatives highlighting the delicate state of diplomatic ties.

Reacting to previous proposals, a high-ranking Cuban official declared that "the political system of Cuba is non-negotiable."

Accounts suggest that early stages of talks had begun, although their present status remains not publicly known.

The naval forces said it was dedicated to using all of the resources at its disposal to locate the sailboats and ensure the safety of the people on board.

As of now, there has been no public statement on the missing boats by the government in Havana.