“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 organization Nuestra América 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”

“A first vessel from the Convoy Nuestra América, carrying 14 tons of food and medicine, 73 solar panels and about a dozen bicycles, arrived in Havana on Tuesday”

“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”

“Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel has expressed concern for two missing sailboats carrying nine people that were bound for Cuba with humanitarian aid”

“Cuba's president expresses concern over 2 missing aid sailboats headed to island”

“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”

“The captains and crews are experienced sailors, and both vessels are equipped with appropriate safety systems and signalling equipment”

“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”