Two Cuba-bound Aid Sailboats Reported Unaccounted For after Departing Mexico.

A comprehensive rescue and recovery effort is actively under way in the Caribbean region for a duo of lost sailing vessels carrying aid cargo journeying from Mexico to Cuba.

Naval Rescue Missions Deployed

Authorities in Mexico has sent naval assets and military search aircraft to locate the missing boats, which were carrying at least 9 personnel, according to a navy statement.

The ships had been projected to arrive in Havana on Tuesday or Wednesday, but there has been a complete lack of contact from them and zero verification of their safe arrival, the statement clarified.

Context of Relief to the Nation

The island nation has leaned on humanitarian shipments from Mexico over the last several weeks, as the nation endures repeated nationwide blackouts.

"Both captains and crews are veteran seafarers, and the two ships are outfitted with appropriate safety systems and emergency beacons," an official for the convoy commented.

The nine individuals on board are from Poland, France, Cuba and the US. Mexican authorities said it has opened communications with rescue coordination centers from each country along with their embassy officials.

"We are co-operating fully with the authorities and are still optimistic in the crews' ability to reach Havana safely," the statement continued.

Recent Humanitarian Mission

Previously that week, the Cuban government publicly celebrated and warmly received a separate vessel that had carried 14 tons of humanitarian aid to the island.

That boat, dubbed "a modern Granma" in reference to the boat in which Castro came back to Cuba to begin the armed struggle in the mid-20th century, carried solar equipment, drugs, formula milk, cycles and food.

Broader International Backdrop

Non-governmental organizations and volunteers have been at the forefront of attempts to ship essential supplies to Cuba beginning in January, a period which saw a energy blockade on the Communist-run nation was initiated.

International organizations have since warned of ""critical" lack of essential goods, with in excess of 50,000 surgeries called off in Cuba because of energy rationing.

Political pressure have been ramped up over the past months, with statements from various officials highlighting the complex situation regarding diplomatic ties.

Reacting to certain proposals, a prominent official from Cuba insisted that "the political system of Cuba is non-negotiable."

Reports suggest that preliminary steps of negotiations were initiated, although their present status remains not publicly known.

The maritime authorities said it was committed to using every available asset at its reach to discover the boats and secure the well-being of the crews.

At this time, there has been silence on the lost ships by the government in Havana.