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2 Aid Sailboats Missing 03/27 10:51
MEXICO CITY (AP) -- Cuban President Miguel Daz-Canel expressed concern on
Friday for two missing sailboats carrying nine people that were bound for Cuba
with humanitarian aid.
The Mexican navy said on Thursday night that they were searching for the
boats, which departed from Isla Mujeres in southern Mexico on March 20.
The disappearance comes as an increasing number of countries and aid
organizations send shipments of aid to Cuba as a U.S. fuel blockade causes
crippling blackouts and pushes the Caribbean nation to the brink of collapse.
"From our country, we are doing everything possible in the search and rescue
of these brothers in struggle," Daz-Canel said.
So far, naval authorities have received no communication or confirmation of
the vessels' arrival in Cuba, which had been expected between Tuesday and
Wednesday of this week.
On Friday, the organization Nuestra America Convoy, said that based on the
speed of the vessels reported to the Cuban maritime authorities, the boats in
Havana should arrive between Friday and Saturday. The organization made an open
call for any information or sightings of the boats.
The captains and crews are experienced sailors, and both vessels are
equipped with appropriate safety systems and signaling equipment.
"We are cooperating fully with the authorities and remain confident in the
crews' ability to reach Havana safely," the organization said in a statement.
A first vessel from the Convoy Nuestra America, carrying 14 tons of food and
medicine, 73 solar panels and about a dozen bicycles, arrived in Havana on
Tuesday.
As part of the search efforts, the Mexican navy alerted naval commands in
Isla Mujeres and Yucalpetn, as well as naval search, rescue and surveillance
stations. It also established coordination with maritime rescue coordination
centers in Poland, France, Cuba and the United States, along with diplomatic
representatives from the countries of origin of those on board.
Search operations involve navy vessels and Persuader-type aircraft, which
are carrying out maritime and aerial search patterns along the estimated route
between Isla Mujeres and Havana. The efforts take into account possible course
changes, as well as prevailing weather conditions and ocean currents in the
region.
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