Urgent Search Underway for Missing Cuba-Bound Aid Ships

Fri Mar 27 2026 20:56:53 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Two sailboats carrying humanitarian supplies from Mexico to Cuba, named Friendship and Tigger Moth, have gone missing. A search and rescue operation has been launched as the Mexican navy deploys resources to locate them.

The Mexican navy is conducting a search and rescue operation for two missing sailboats, Friendship and Tigger Moth, which departed from Isla Mujeres on 20 March en route to Cuba carrying humanitarian aid. The vessels, with nine crew members onboard, have lost communication and were expected to arrive in Havana shortly after. The search is supported by naval teams and military aircraft, with involvement from international maritime rescue coordination centers. As Cuba faces significant humanitarian challenges, the disappearance of these ships underscores ongoing geopolitical tensions surrounding aid delivery and resource shortages.

A search and rescue operation is underway in the Caribbean for two missing sailboats filled with humanitarian supplies travelling from Mexico to Cuba.

Mexico has deployed naval teams and military search aircraft to locate the Friendship and Tigger Moth, which were carrying at least nine crew members, the Mexican navy said in a statement.

The vessels had been expected to arrive in Havana on Tuesday or Wednesday, but there has been no communication from them, and no confirmation of their arrival, the navy reported.

The Mexican navy emphasized its commitment to utilizing all available resources to ensure the safety of the crews. The two missing ships departed Isla Mujeres, located in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo, on 20 March.

The nine crew members hail from Poland, France, Cuba, and the US. The Mexican authorities stated they have established contact with maritime rescue coordination centers and diplomatic representatives from these countries.

The captains and crews are experienced sailors, and both vessels are equipped with appropriate safety systems and signaling equipment, a spokesperson for the convoy indicated. We are cooperating fully with the authorities and remain confident in the crews' ability to reach Havana safely. There has been no comment regarding the missing boats from the Cuban government.

Adding to the complexity of the situation, the Cuban government recently welcomed another vessel, dubbed 'Granma 2.0', which successfully delivered 14 tonnes of humanitarian aid to the island. This included vital supplies like solar panels, medicines, baby formula, bicycles, and food.

Since January, volunteers and NGOs have spearheaded efforts to deliver humanitarian aid to Cuba, particularly following US President Donald Trump's fuel embargo that has significantly affected the island nation.

The United Nations has since warned of dire supply shortages, leading to over 50,000 cancelled surgeries in Cuba amid electricity constraints. Cuba increasingly relies on Mexico's humanitarian shipments as it navigates multiple nationwide blackouts due to US-imposed restrictions.

In recent developments, President Trump has been intensifying pressure on Cuba, particularly after the US seized the former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in January. Venezuela had previously provided substantial oil shipments to its ally, Cuba, creating additional strain on the island's resources.

Amid these challenges, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel has announced the beginning of US-Cuba negotiations, although their progress remains uncertain.