Two Humanitarian Aid Boats Safely Reach Havana After Being Located by Mexican Navy

RTE

The boats had been reported missing, then found, then missing again.

Two sailboats carrying humanitarian aid from Mexico arrived safely in Havana on Saturday, the Mexican Navy said, completing a journey that had been delayed by bad weather and briefly raised concerns after the vessels were reported missing.

The navy confirmed the boats docked without incident in the Cuban capital after authorities closely monitored their final approach to port.

After being reported missing on Thursday, a maritime surveillance aircraft located the sailboats on Friday, around 80 nautical miles (148 km) northwest of Cuba. The crews said they were in good health but had been slowed by adverse weather conditions, particularly strong winds.

The two vessels are part of a convoy aiming to deliver food, medicine, baby formula and other essential supplies to the Caribbean’s largest island, amid a United States embargo against Cuba that has contributed to worsening power shortages and the rationing of services.

"The vessels are continuing their journey to Havana," a spokesperson for the Nuestra ‌America ⁠Convoy said. "The convoy remains on track to complete its mission — delivering urgently needed humanitarian aid to the Cuban people."

The sailboats went missing after departing Mexico’s Isla Mujeres last Saturday and were expected to arrive in Havana between 24 and 25 March.

The U.S. Coast Guard initially told French news agency AFP on Friday that the vessels had been located, but later retracted the statement, confirming that the search was still ongoing, which caused confusion.

The Nuestra America coalition — meaning “Our America” in Spanish — brings together nearly 300 organisations from more than 30 countries, including non-governmental organisations, trade unions, political parties and lawmakers.

The group has delivered around 20 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Cuba by air and sea, including food, medicine, solar panels and bicycles.

Source: Reuters



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